Author Archives: admin

Witness the trees

“Natural environment sustains the life of all beings universally. Trees are referred to in accounts of the principal events of Buddha’s life. His mother leaned against a tree for support as she gave birth to him. He attained enlightenment seated … Continue reading

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Mandala Making

This is worth the click, a time-lapse movie of the creation of a sand mandala as part of the exhibit “In the Realm of the Buddha,” up through through July 18, 2010 at the Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in Washington, D.C. Continue reading

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Re-subscribe Note

The Meditation Circle of Charleston has been re-focusing itself of late into a more explicitly Buddhist-oriented group. In the process of revising our Web Site, I created a new subscription feed that, alas, in my self-taught Web designer bumbleheadness, erased … Continue reading

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Metta Meditation Talk, No. 1

Listen to Bhante Sujato on types of Buddhist meditation practices. Starting this month, the Meditation Circle of Charleston has begun to listen to a wonderful series of talks on meditation by Bhante Sujato, of Santi Forest Monastery in Bundanoon, Sydney … Continue reading

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Meditation Resource

Here is an online meditation resource with guidance for beginners on meditation, suggested by circle member Thad Settle. Got a site on Buddhist meditation or teachings you have found especially useful? Suggest it to us at douglas @ hundredmountain.com or … Continue reading

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Feelings come and go …

“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh PHOTO | View from Appalachian South Folklife Center, Pipestem, W.Va. | 2009

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Three types of laziness

I don’t know about you, but I believe I am an Olympic medal contender in all three of these flavors of laziness described by the Dalai Lama. ~ Doug “Laziness will stop your progress in your spiritual practice. Once can … Continue reading

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Re-focusing the Meditation Circle of Charleston

Hello all. The Meditation Circle of Charleston is in transition and we welcome your feedback and attendance in the coming weeks. For a long while, the group has tried to be many things, open to all sorts of discussions and … Continue reading

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New directions for the Meditation Circle

Please come to the next few gatherings of the Meditation Circle and join in a discussion of some new developments and new directions for the group for those of you interested in meditation and in Buddhism. Given the constant but … Continue reading

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“Overcome your uncertainties…”

“Overcome your uncertainties And free yourself From dwelling on sorrow. If you delight in existence, You will become a guide To those who need you, Revealing the path to many.” ~ Sutta Nipata from the Daily Zen Web site for … Continue reading

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“A clear breeze has no price . . .”

The mountain is silent, The water without form. A clear breeze has no price, The bright noon no lover. Here, after a fashion, I will grow old in peace. – Song Hon (1535-1598) from the entry for 01.14.10 from the … Continue reading

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What Meditation Isn’t

At its Tuesday, Jan. 12 meeting, the meditation group  continues its discussion of excerpts from Bhante Gunaratana’s classic guide to meditation practice, “Mindfulness in Plain English.” As we consider the basics of insight or vipassana meditation in the Buddhist tradition, … Continue reading

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Different religious traditions have a great responsibility . . .

“Sometimes religion becomes yet another source for more division and sometimes open conflict. Because of that situation, I feel that different religious traditions have a great responsibility to provide peace of mind and a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood among … Continue reading

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Starting off the new year year mindfully

Photo from The Wheel of Dharma blog Welcome to 2010. During the course of this year, The Meditation Circle will be getting back to the basics of meditation practice in the Buddhist insight or vipassana tradition. We have begun reading … Continue reading

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“After realizing the intent of Zen . . . “

“After realizing the intent of Zen, people in ancient times used to spend decades polishing themselves thoroughly in order to free themselves from compulsions of conditioning and habit. This is called the work of maturation; the completion of maturation is … Continue reading

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