I have taught concentration and the instructions to focus your mind for many, many years. I have taught this to myself and others. These instructions of course were coming from … Continue reading Curiosity and Concentration
Tag: concentration
Concentration – The Collected Nature of Mind
These are notes from Joseph Goldstein’s book “Mindfulness”. It is the last of the section about the four qualities of mind: ardency, clearly knowing, mindfulness and concentration. One of the … Continue reading Concentration – The Collected Nature of Mind
A “Health Sesshin”
When I most appreciate my practice is when I’m facing a personal difficulty, particularly when it concerns my health. It seems like ill-health brings up my worst fears and anxiety. … Continue reading A “Health Sesshin”
Awakened Awareness gone beyond individualized consciousness #5
What does it mean to be awake? To truly be in the present moment where the truth happening place resides? Awareness is to be present in each moment and to … Continue reading Awakened Awareness gone beyond individualized consciousness #5
Beyond thought.#2
During rohatsu sesshin, I worked with the gate gate mantra. I got this explanation from Dan Brown who is a Tibetan teacher and i have really enjoyed contemplating it: … Continue reading Beyond thought.#2
“Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate” #1
I received this translation of the “gate” mantra from Dan Brown who is a Tibetan Teacher: From the end of the Heart Sutra: Gate, gate – beyond thought Paragate – … Continue reading “Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate” #1
The Two Absorptions
I was in the airport today, looking around at people’s faces. What I saw were faces of minds filled with stories. Each person’s mind filled up with their activity and … Continue reading The Two Absorptions
Exhaling and dissolving.
Here are some quotes from Suzuki Roshi in “Not Always So” (chapter: Calmness of Mind) that emphasize working with the exhale while meditating: “Calmness of mind is beyond the end … Continue reading Exhaling and dissolving.
Master of our Minds
Who is this person who can be master in any place and meet the source in everything? Book of Serenity, pointer Case 4. Though I generally don’t like to use … Continue reading Master of our Minds
Shikantaza and Jijuyu Zanmai
Shikantaza (just sitting) and Jijuyu Zanmai (self-fulfillment Samadhi) In order to understand jijuyu zanmai, (self-receiving oneness Samadhi) one has to understand the underlying principle of shikantaza. as presented by Dogen … Continue reading Shikantaza and Jijuyu Zanmai
Right Effort and Letting Go
In practice, we are always dealing with the tone and depth of our awareness. First, of course, is the question: are we aware of what’s going on at all? In … Continue reading Right Effort and Letting Go
Watering the good seeds
Spiritual practice is a little easier when things are going well, right? It’s easier to be loving, centered and peaceful when the world is favorable. But when the world is … Continue reading Watering the good seeds
Mind-ground
As we practice, we begin to change our basis of operation in our minds. We practice interrupting our self-centered desire system that produces our decisions and actions and open up … Continue reading Mind-ground
Awakened Awareness
It seems that we get sidetracked in practice in many ways. Buddha said that he was the “awakened one.” Thich Nhat Hanh calls it mindfulness in every moment. Katagiri Roshi … Continue reading Awakened Awareness
A serviceable mind is clear seeing.
We concentrate our mind and settle our mind in zazen. We do this not to get somewhere, a certain state, but to avail ourselves of the most useful and serviceable … Continue reading A serviceable mind is clear seeing.
The Two Truths
The two truths, the absolute and relative truths, which we speak of in Buddhist pedagogy, are a linguistic skilfull means to help teach, actually, the opposite. We want to be … Continue reading The Two Truths
Dragon Stability
“Dragon stability is a technical term for stabilization so profound that it is not destabilized by activity in the world. The image comes from the idea that a dragon is … Continue reading Dragon Stability