“While body is not me or mine what is a wise response to those claiming various degrees of ownerships on body?” is the title of a now closed forum post. The closed post in full: What are some kind, wholesome, skillful, wise and helpful responses and views to the following various claims of body ownership:Continue reading “Two Buddhist Forum Posts Shutdown: Body Ownership and Secret Society Influences”
Category Archives: questions
Karma Knows | (9/29/2020 — “Ask Us Anything” With Denny K Miu)
September 2020’s, open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — discussions about meditation and related topics — with co-host Denny K Miu primarily address the term “Hīnayāna” and misunderstandings about karma. My original questions for the talk (followed by Denny’s response): (from Denny:) Or listen via Insight Timer (app or website)
Anesthetic consciousness: “If everything is consciousness, what happens during anesthesia?”
I recently listened to a voicemail from a friend who called asking, “if everything is consciousness, what happens during anesthesia?” It’s a great question and the short answer is: I don’t know. And “if everything is consciousness” is only one perception of reality. After deferring to referring him to a few folks who may provideContinue reading “Anesthetic consciousness: “If everything is consciousness, what happens during anesthesia?””
JNANI: The Silent Sage of Arunachala — Questions and Comments on the Film about Sri Ramana Maharshi
The Sri Ramana Maharshi biopic film JNANI: The Silent Sage of Arunachala is beautifully assembled with astonishing archival photos and first hand account interviews. Even though I’m a new comer to Ramana Maharshi — known for Self-inquiry — I feel what he conveyed and taught seem well represented in JNANI. Just witnessing the images ofContinue reading “JNANI: The Silent Sage of Arunachala — Questions and Comments on the Film about Sri Ramana Maharshi”
Sub-commentary for ‘A Blueprint of Enlightenment: A Contemporary Commentary on Dōgen Zenji’s “Gokudō Yōjinshū” (Guidelines for Studying the Way)’ by Gien Inoue
At Confluence Zen Center’s recent five year anniversary gathering and book signing in Maplewood, Missouri, I picked up a copy of A Blueprint of Enlightenment: A Contemporary Commentary on Dōgen Zenji’s Gokudō Yōjinshū (Guidelines for Studying the Way) by Gien Inoue translated by Daigaku Rummé and Keiko Ohmae. [Also available via Amazon.] Having attending ConfluenceContinue reading “Sub-commentary for ‘A Blueprint of Enlightenment: A Contemporary Commentary on Dōgen Zenji’s “Gokudō Yōjinshū” (Guidelines for Studying the Way)’ by Gien Inoue”
Dharma Questions: The Jhanas
There seem to be plenty of variation on the descriptions of the jhanas (especially surrounding “Nimittas”); the history and backgrounds of the jhanas — which were supposedly established well before the historical Buddha; — as well as some emotional charge surrounding what is and isn’t jhana and how to properly practice the jhanas, or meditativeContinue reading “Dharma Questions: The Jhanas”
Why We Practice | (8/25/2020 — Introducing: ‘Ask Us Anything’ With Denny K Miu)
This “pilot” of sorts called ‘Ask Us Anything’ marks the start of a monthly, open-audience, open-discussion with co-host Denny K Miu mostly about meditation practices and related topics. Our format isn’t set in stone, but it may gel more over time. We may invite guests. Audience members may talk more. We may freestyle with zeroContinue reading “Why We Practice | (8/25/2020 — Introducing: ‘Ask Us Anything’ With Denny K Miu)”
Sarah Edwards: Past Lives, Translating Intuitive & Empathic Guidance, ‘The Emplacement’ And The Nature of Time
In Conversation with Sarah Edwards — show notes Part two of my conversation with medium and spiritual counselor Sarah Edwards recorded July 23rd 2020 at Mary’s House of Healing in St Charles, Missouri for IntegratingPresence.com. Sarah is an intuitive guide, medium, Usui Tibetan Reiki Master Teacher, and Clairaudient delivering profoundly wise, insightful and skillful messages.Continue reading “Sarah Edwards: Past Lives, Translating Intuitive & Empathic Guidance, ‘The Emplacement’ And The Nature of Time”
Dharma Questions: Awareness / Consciousness
Whatever [one] keeps pursuing with her thinking & pondering, that becomes the inclination of her awareness. Two Sorts of ThinkingDvedhāvitakka Sutta (MN 19) What is the difference between mind, thoughts, thinking, cognition, consciousness, attention, remembering, knowing, realizing, mind objects, mental formations, mental phenomena, volition, mindfulness, awareness? And what is the relationship between each of these and withContinue reading “Dharma Questions: Awareness / Consciousness”
Dharma Questions: Intent
Intent How and why does intent work? Is retro-causal intention setting possible. If so, is doing so wise and skillful? Can intention be amplified and/or intensified? Is ignorance the same as unawareness? Do either ignorance or unawareness relate to amount or quality of consciousness? If there is no existence on an ultimate level, what changesContinue reading “Dharma Questions: Intent”
Integrating Presence 