Author Archives: admin

Let go of all your previous imaginings…

Let go of all your previous imaginings, opinions, interpretations, worldly knowledge, intellectualism, egotism, and competitiveness; become like a dead tree, like cold ashes. Continue reading

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Video: On Trying too hard to meditate

Bhikku Piyadhammo, a monk friend who resided recently at the Bhavana Society, told me about a rich collection of Buddhist-themed videos that he maintains on a YouTube channel called “Dhammatube.”  The channel, which features pithy short videos on useful topics … Continue reading

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“There’s a Light”

This is a bit off the beaten path for the usual kind of post here. But this is a music video much in spirit of meditation practice, in which we seek to awaken to all the light that’s already there … Continue reading

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Introduction to Meditation Retreat, June 24-29, 2011

We’ve had a lot of new faces recently at The Meditation Circle, including many folks new to Buddhist meditation practice. If you’re a newcomer with a strong interest in deepening your  practice, we highly recommend you check out the Introduction … Continue reading

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Striking the bell of mindfulness

Sister Dang Nhiem is a nun at Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, CA. She practices Zen Buddhism in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. Sister D demonstrastes the proper way to invite the sound of the bell. Continue reading

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Dhamma talk: Introduction to breath meditation

Listen to a wonderful Dhamma talk introducing breath meditation by Bhante Sujato, of Santi Forest Monastery in Bundanoon, Sydney in Australia’s Southern Highlands. Continue reading

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Angry illusions

Anger gives the illusion of clarity. A certain strength arises when we have an opinion and we know where we stand. The difference between the clarity we believe we have when angry and the clarity that results from actually seeing … Continue reading

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Sweep away your worries

Study the Way and never grow old Distrust emotions; truth will emerge Sweep away your worries Set even your body aside Autumn drives off the yellow leaves Yet spring renews every green bud Quietly contemplate the pattern of things Nothing … Continue reading

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Metta Meditation for the Day

May all beings be happy and secure. May all beings have happy minds. Whatever beings there may be without exception – weak or strong, long, large, medium, short, subtle or gross, visible or invisible, living near or far, born or … Continue reading

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An inescapable fact and challenge

In this uncertain political season, full of angst, anger and fear, I have wondered what to remark about the current agitated national scene in America. I will not use a Buddhist blog to share my own particular points of view … Continue reading

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“A Pilgrimage in Autumn”

NOTE: An earlier posting of this excerpt contained several misspellings. This one fixes them! Regular readers of this occasional blog will know of my current infatuation with the book “Longing For Certainty: Reflections on the Buddhist Life,” (Wisdom Publications) by … Continue reading

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Make no mistake

“Make no mistake about it; if you do not find it now, you will repeat the same routines for myriad eons, a thousand times over again, following and picking up on objects that attract you. We are no different from … Continue reading

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ARCHIVES: The Dalai Lama from the bleachers

A friend and I who attended Miami University together in the late ’70s had hoped to see H.H. the Dalai Lama upon his visit to our alma mater later this month in Oxford, Ohio. Alas, tickets went fast and furiously … Continue reading

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A few words on karma

“Longing for Certainty: Reflections on the Buddhist Life,” is one of the richest books I’ve ever read on weaving Buddhist teachings into the way we live our daily lives. The book interleaves clear expositions of basic Buddhist teachings with seemingly … Continue reading

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Therefore, just look

I received this e-mail from one of the Buddhist mailing lists I am on. I pass it on as it is a very clear-minded and direct encouragement concerning meditation practice and mindfulness | Douglas Good Morning, Good Afternoon and Good … Continue reading

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