In this eighth installment of the ongoing live series with Wendy Nash inquiring into meditation practice on and off the cushion we explored external and internal war and conflict due to Anzac Day each year in Australia on 25 April. We also discuss (witnessing) violence, non-harm (in relationships), ill will, how complicated war can be,Continue reading “Internal/External War And Conflict | April 13, 2023 “Meditation Q & A With Wendy Nash” #08”
Tag Archives: skillfulness
Changeability And Newness | March 30, 2023 “Meditation Q & A With Wendy Nash” #07
This is the seventh installment of the ongoing live series with Wendy Nash inquiring into meditation practice on and off the cushion. With the coming of spring in the Northern hemisphere we talked: We also get various meditation questions and comments from participants Wendy also mentions Dream Yoga: Illuminating Your Life Through Lucid Dreaming andContinue reading “Changeability And Newness | March 30, 2023 “Meditation Q & A With Wendy Nash” #07”
Negligence and Misdeeds for Sagacity
This October 10th, 2022 Insight Timer live event addressed verse 50 of the Dhammapada as wisdom for potential clearing, activation and advancement: Not the perversities of others, not their sins of commission or omission, but his own misdeeds and negligences should a sage take notice of VERSE 50 OF THE DHAMMAPADA Thanks to Ellen forContinue reading “Negligence and Misdeeds for Sagacity”
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”
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
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
December 2021 Insight Timer Live Events: Eye Gazing; Mindfulness of Speaking; Distortions & Dreams;
*(Virtual) Eye Gazing*
Grab a partner or gaze into my virtual eyes while I gaze at the camera and we chat about the ins and outs, ups and downs, and knowns and unknowns of this beneficial yet sometimes intense interaction — Thursday December 9 – 3:33 pm Central
*Distortions and Dreams*
A 15 minute side glance at making New Years resolutions by exploring the barraging of barriers of distortions and the ups and downs of (some) dreams — Thursday December 16 – 6:00 pm Central
*Mindfulness of Speaking*
Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it helpful? Is it the right time? For 30 minutes we’ll explore these guidelines for wise and skillful speech and share stories, challenges, insights and do some practice — Monday December 20 – 6:00 pm Central
Dharmic Strategies For Empaths
This niche topic for empaths, or energetically sensitive beings, encapsulates years of note taking from experience, study and practice, provides nine categories of approach:
1) Gratitude for opportunities
2) Mindfulness (– especially of contact and vēdanā)
3) Hedonic Tone and the Three Characteristics of Existence
4) Self and identification
5) Equanimity and compassion
6) The Four Right Efforts and Five Hinderances
7) Energy
8) Non-attachment
9) Miscellaneous strategies
Practicing in the Desire Realm | (5/25/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)
For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — (despite some technical snafus) Denny and I pick one topic each we’ve yet to discuss much publicly — the Eight “Touches”, and wholesome sexuality(/sexual energy), respectively.
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)”
Reducing Informational Warfare: Skillful Guidelines For Wholesome Internet Intake
Just like anywhere else, the abominable censoring of Internet speech never helps. Since responsibility of consuming online information clearly rests with the consumer it seems high time for some helpful guidance surrounding conduct, information gathering and exposure when online. While Intel agencies gather copious amounts of raw (mis/dis)information then apply various methods of discernment toContinue reading “Reducing Informational Warfare: Skillful Guidelines For Wholesome Internet Intake”
Integrating Presence 