Meditation Support Language: Some Alternatives For “Ignore”

Samatha is one meditation method, training or technique for cultivating samadhi. Sometimes samatha instructions are given to “ignore” everything except the meditation object in order to build the muscle of being able to focus on, place attention on, and then remain on a single meditation object for long periods of time with the intent toContinue reading “Meditation Support Language: Some Alternatives For “Ignore””

Dharma Questions: Miscellany — Part 7

The Heart 1 of Prajna 3 Paramita 4 Sutra 2 Bodhisattva 5 Avalokiteshvara 6, while deeply immersed 7 in prajna paramita, clearly perceived the empty nature 8 of the five skandhas 9, and transcended all suffering. Shariputra 10! Form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form. Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. So it is with feeling, conception, volition, and consciousness. Shariputra! All dharmas 11 are empty in character; neitherContinue reading “Dharma Questions: Miscellany — Part 7”

Neil Elliot’s ‘Higher Road’

Author D. Neil Elliot and I recorded this conversation on June 7th. From Neil’s website: To any outsider, D. Neil Elliott was highly educated, owned a profitable consulting firm, and had a successful career and an amazing wife and family. But things were not all they seemed to be … Neil was facing a lotContinue reading “Neil Elliot’s ‘Higher Road’”

Multi-month Pāramitā (Perfections) Challenge For February 2022

Sangha, criticism, the two truths, service to others, emptiness, generosity, conduct, non-clinging, non-harming, energy, the three unwholesome roots, and clarity round out the main topics for February 2022, month six of “The Pāramitā Challenge”. See also Months 1-3, Month 4 and 5. Instructions are to journal contemplations resulting from observed intentions, opportunities, and actions toContinue reading “Multi-month Pāramitā (Perfections) Challenge For February 2022”

Distortions and Dreams

The event description for this edited audio version from a recent Insight Timer live talk Distortions and Dreams: A 15 minute side glance at making New Years resolutions by an exploratory barraging of the barriers of distortions and the ups and downs of (some) dreams. While the local church bells at 6pm are still audible,Continue reading “Distortions and Dreams”

Dharma Questions: Miscellany — Part 5

This irregular “Dharma Questions” series deals with “dharma” meaning both the truth of the nature of reality and some Buddhist teachings. Amongst other things these questions can be:
• thought experiments
• borderline musings not meant to be answered
• from laziness of not contemplating or researching them yet

There’s 16 questions. Here’s two:

What is the root condition of annica — impermanence, inconstancy?

What are any and all similarities and differences between “Para Brahman” and “Nirvana”?