What Happens To Your Mind When You Meditate? | (1/14/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)

Repost from Denny K Miu’s Patreon with my (pre-)show notes below: As you all know, Josh and I have done a few AUA (Ask Us Anything) sessions.  This Thursday (1/14/2021) we are doing our first AUA Live, in response to a simple but profound question asked by our friend and a new student of ourContinue reading “What Happens To Your Mind When You Meditate? | (1/14/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)”

Addressing (Energetic) Blockages

I’ve previously mentioned being fortunate enough to not really have been bogged down by physical pain, yet how to work with pain in meditation is a seemingly common request. Instead, for a while now, I’ve faced (energetic) blockages; or worse, ignoring them to continued and often increased detriment. I trust most of the following considerationsContinue reading “Addressing (Energetic) Blockages”

Dharma Questions: Arhatship, Bodhisattvas and Buddhahood

The following questions explore Arhatship, the way of Bodhisattvas and Buddhahood from a limited innerstanding in order to gain clear, right, true knowledge for the highest good and well-being of all, without preferences. Even if based on proper premises some of these questions may be unanswerable and/or may be better left unanswered for now. PleaseContinue reading “Dharma Questions: Arhatship, Bodhisattvas and Buddhahood”

McMindfulness and The Mindfulness Industrial Complex | (12/29/2020 — “Ask Us Anything” With Denny K Miu)

For this month’s open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I address the “McMindfulness” phenomena mostly by exploring the translation of the original Pali word “sati” — often translated as “mindfulness” — by offering up “remembering” as a more original translation. We also touch on some classic sati relatedContinue reading “McMindfulness and The Mindfulness Industrial Complex | (12/29/2020 — “Ask Us Anything” With Denny K Miu)”

Buddha as Badass

The historical Buddha is regularly portrayed as primarily full of love and light in popular culture. While this is just one aspect, another angle this post intends to explore is the Buddha’s decisiveness, diligence, determination, and immense courage in the face of pretty much anything and everything without shying away from squeamishness. It’s also kindContinue reading “Buddha as Badass”

Supranormal (or so-called Psychic Powers) in the (Buddhist) Pali Cannon

Monks, spend time with Sāriputta and Moggallāna. They are wise monks who assist their companions in the Holy Life. Monks, Sāriputta is like a parent, Moggallāna is like a babysitter. Monks, Sāriputta leads one to the attainment of stream-entry, Moggallāna leads one to the highest goal. . . Selection from Saccavibhaṅgasutta — Analysis of Truth Linked below areContinue reading “Supranormal (or so-called Psychic Powers) in the (Buddhist) Pali Cannon”

Breath: Questions for Contemplation; Perceptions and Practice Ideas

March 13, 2023 Update: Part 2 of this Breath: Questions for Contemplation; Perceptions and Practice Ideas is now available for purchase on Insight Timer as the five-day Progressive Breath Awareness Booster course and is entirely free for Plus members (which includes a 1-month free trial). Day one is free for everyone: https://insighttimer.com/meditation-courses/progressive-breath-awareness-booster or the easy toContinue reading “Breath: Questions for Contemplation; Perceptions and Practice Ideas”

(My) art for (“alternative”) zen (school) students from “The Gateless Gate”

The words in this “art” are a mishmash of mostly these two translations of “Nansen Cuts the Cat in Two” from The Gateless Gate: The Gateless Gate by Ekai, called Mumon [PDF from consciouslivingfoundation.org] Nansen Cuts the Cat in Two Nansen saw the monks of the eastern and western halls fighting over a cat. HeContinue reading “(My) art for (“alternative”) zen (school) students from “The Gateless Gate””

Addressing and Working with Pain On and Off the Cushion

Fortunately, as of now, I haven’t had to work with physical pain much. I’m currently dealing more with blockages, which may or may not be blocking pain. It’s hard to tell until unblocked. For several years, until my grandmother’s passing, she dealt with osteoporosis and the pain of her bones disintegrating with Fentanyl, a veryContinue reading “Addressing and Working with Pain On and Off the Cushion”

Two Buddhist Forum Posts Shutdown: Body Ownership and Secret Society Influences

“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”