GREETINGS
Welcome to the Meditation Circle site. This longtime Buddhist-oriented meditation group based at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 520 Kanawha Boulevard W., in Charleston, West Virginia, will be closing down its meetings for good effective with the end of June 2022, after a good run. See the ‘RESOURCES’ page for tips on setting up or deepening meditation practice. Be well!
Categories
Helpful Sites
Tag Cloud
- ajahn chah
- Anapanasati
- article
- Audio
- Bhante G
- body
- Books
- Buddha
- Buddhist nuns
- cartoon
- dana
- dhamma
- Dhamma Talk
- Events
- fear
- mediation
- Meditation
- memes
- Metta
- mindfu
- mindfulness
- Mistakes
- Ordination
- qigong
- Quotes
- Rahula
- Readings
- Retreats
- Right Speech
- suffering
- sumedho
- Suttas
- Video
- virtue
- walking meditation
Author Archives: admin
Where we are equal and unequal
“We are not born equal, are not created equal. We are born different, and live different, and die different, because of our different karma. But there are certain areas where things become equal. There is no difference in the attainment … Continue reading
Just think …
“Contemplate the inconceivably vast oceans of good actions by conscious beings since beginningless time.” ~ https://twitter.com/Buddhism_Now
The key to development
“The key to development along the Buddhist path is repetitive routine guided by inspirational vision. It is the insight into final freedom—the peace and purity of a liberated mind—that uplifts us and impels us to overcome our limits. But it … Continue reading
The three types of laziness
“Laziness will stop your progress in your spiritual practice. One can be deceived by three types of laziness: the laziness of indolence, which is the wish to procrastinate; the laziness of inferiority, which is doubting your capabilities; and the laziness … Continue reading
A primer on karma
Check out this Tricycle article on the much misunderstood Buddhist concept of karma. It’s an interview with Matthieu Ricard, born in France in 1946, and who trained as a molecular biologist at the Institute Pasteur before taking up robes as … Continue reading
Sitting in the stream
“Meditation is not just a rest or retreat from the turmoil of the stream or the impurity of the world. It is a way of being the stream, so that one can be at home in both the white water … Continue reading
Marking Vesak
Vesak is being celebrated today at the Bhavana Society Buddhist Monastery and retreat center in Hampshire County, West Virginia. The exact date of Vesak Day varies according to the various lunar calendars used in different countries and traditions. In Theravada … Continue reading
Posted in Events
Comments Off on Marking Vesak
Why do people …
Why do people Lavish decoration On this set of bones, Destined to disappear Without a trace? ~ Ikkyu (1394-1481) Quote courtesy DailyZen.com
Posted in Uncategorized
Comments Off on Why do people …
The best way to deal with excessive thinking
“The best way to deal with excessive thinking is to just listen to it, to listen to the mind. Listening is much more effective than trying to stop thought or cut it off.” ~ Ajahn Amaro, from “Thought Like Dreams” … Continue reading
Posted in Meditation, Quotes
Tagged Meditation, Quotes
Comments Off on The best way to deal with excessive thinking
Not all happy, sweet emotions
“Buddhanature and the natural state are not just made up of happy, sweet emotions; buddhanature includes everything. It’s the calm, and the disturbed, and the roiled up, and the still; it’s the bitter and the sweet, the comfortable and the … Continue reading
How to do what we do
Sitting Quietly This is the most important meditation practice. It is the classroom for living a wise and kind life. Sit anywhere and be quiet: On a couch, a bed, a bench, inside, outside, Leaning against a tree, by a … Continue reading
Posted in Meditation, Uncategorized
Comments Off on How to do what we do
Why is it so difficult to maintain a steady practice?
“Now if the practice is so good for us, why is it so difficult to maintain a steady practice? It may be that the notion that practice is ‘good for us’ is the very impediment—we all know how we can … Continue reading
Posted in Quotes
Tagged Meditation, Quotes
Comments Off on Why is it so difficult to maintain a steady practice?
Stop making a big deal
Pema Chodron, as useful and plain speaking a Western Buddhist teacher as you could hope to find, has a new book out called “How To Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind” Below is an excerpt. By … Continue reading
Posted in Quotes
Comments Off on Stop making a big deal
Let myriad things rest
“For zazen, a quiet room is appropriate. Drink and eat in moderation. Let go of all involvements and let myriad things rest. Do not think good or bad. Do not judge right or wrong. Stop conscious endeavor and analytic introspection. … Continue reading
Where most of our suffering originates
“Most of our suffering comes from habitual thinking. If we try to stop it out of aversion to thinking, we can’t; we just go on and on and on. So the important thing is not to get rid of … Continue reading