April 2022 Insight Timer Live Events: Fools; Truth; Death Contemplation; Friendship; Ghosting

*Brief Readings on Truth*
Your truth is great. What is truth though? For 15 minutes or so I read profound axioms, quotes, and snippets about truth

*Death Contemplation and Meditation*
Unwise, unskillful choices can come from an unconscious fear of death. The most profound contemplations and meditations on death protect us and help us appreciate every moment

*Friendship: The Whole of the Spiritual Life*
15min: ‘Ven Ananda said to the Blessed One, “This is half of the holy life, lord: admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie.” “Don’t say that, Ananda. Don’t say that. Admirable friendship, admirable companionship, admirable camaraderie is actually the whole of the holy life..’

*Ask anyone anything? Live with whom? Minor (AUA) restart?*
A few teachings on inquiry and investigation while also reviewing and asking your suggestions for the monthly “Ask Us Anything” show format fellow Insight Timer teacher Denny K Miu and I started in September 2020 to determine a potential restart, recreation and/or transmutation

*Ghosted, ignored, canceled? More grist to nourish all*
Let’s explore what can be done to transform, transmute and turn ghosting and being canceled into nourishment to support the well-being and awakening of all

Podcast | Multi-month Pāramitā (Attainments/Perfections) Challenge For December 2021

Apparently November 2021 was a break so December is month 4 of “The Pāramitā Challenge” (which I previously wrote and spoke on the first three months.)

In addition to contemplating topics about the Pāramitās or Perfections, so far, this challenge also includes precepts, the (10 Abodes from the) 52 Stages of the Bodhisattva Path and Bodhisattva vows.

Instructions are to journal contemplations resulting from observed intentions, opportunities, and actions to be generous, moral and ethical while arousing faith in the Triple Gem then seeing where/when confident and where/when in doubt.

This month includes the Pāramitā on diligence, the Right Speech precept (also doubling as a past Insight Timer live event) and the middle stages of the 10 Abodes from the 52 Stages of the Bodhisattva.

January 2021 Insight Timer Live Events: Smiling, Thoughts/Dreams, Interviewing And Really Being Seen And Heard

See full post for links on how to attend:

*(Authentic) Smiling (Practice)*
Revel in the power of real life smiles discussed virtually (for 15 minutes or longer perhaps). I invite participants to share smiles and experiences as I relate a somewhat brief formal practice of smiling on near daily walks a couple of years ago. — 10:00am Central – Thursday, January 6th

*What are thoughts? Are dreams like thoughts?*
Let’s powwow for 30 minutes or so on these two questions from my “Distortions and Dreams” event and also address the other question: What are the parallel between thoughts and dreams? We may even do some mindfulness of thinking meditation — 9:00pm Central – Monday, January 10th

*Live Meditation From Fat Cat Longevity* — 6:00pm Central – Wednesday, January 12th

*Interview Me (or Ask Any Kind Of Question About Anything)*
For 15 minutes (or more) I challenge myself into the awkward waters of not talking much until participants interview me or ask about anything. It’s also OK just to spectate. Example starter question: what’s something you’d like to ask someone, anyone, but for whatever reason have chosen not to (yet) — 12:00pm Central – Wednesday, January 19th

*Being Seen. Being Heard. Being in Silence, Eyes Closed.*
What does it mean to really be seen? Really be heard? To be in silence with closed eyes? Which of these is crying out the most for more nourishment from you & from/for those in your life? Let’s take 15 minutes or so to bounce these around with perhaps some mindfulness of hearing & seeing meditation — 2:00pm Central –Sunday, January 23rd

Podcast | Multi-month Pāramitā (Attainments/Perfections) Challenge For August, September And October 2021

When presented with “The Pāramitā Challenge” I accepted and here we are. In addition to the Pāramitās or Perfections, so far, the challenge also includes precepts and the 52 Stages of the Bodhisattva Path and Bodhisattva vows.

So far, instructions are to journal contemplations resulting from observed intentions, opportunities, and actions to be generous, moral and ethical while arousing faith in the Triple Gem then seeing where/when confident and where/when in doubt.

I’ve not taken Bodhisattva vows, and so with little instruction in Mahāyāna Buddhism, apart from maybe a smidgen of the zen stuff, there’s the benefit of beginner’s mind is a nice way to put it. I shoot from the hip with a lot in this recording and will often use a Theravada lens and a lot of inquiry as I ponder out loud. It may come off at times as criticism and sometimes it may actually be, but these are mostly solo efforts at summonings what is really meant by the material.