Blazing Light, Love's Song: Recent Episodes
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Beauty. Song in the trees and in the seas. Color, abundance, and all in harmony. We sit with the natural harmony of Mother Earth, the rich diversity, the scents, smells, textures. Appreciating Mother Earth.
“”From unchanging awareness appears unimpeded compassion. …This unstoppable compassion equalizes everything.” Gareb Dorje We reflect upon the qualities repeatedly experienced when we settle, center, ground, align, and/or are Present. We have confidence that when we center, it will feel like … Continue reading →
Meditation practice is an ongoing familiarization with inner landscapes, textures, and essences. We are familiar with the outer world; but what about the inner? Right now our focus is “natural”.
There’s little to write about the current meditations because peace IS, naturally and gently ripples into the world, and is uncontrived. Experience it!
So many changes through the day: moods, thoughts, emotions, clothing, appetites, and so forth. Yet, for those with some practice, a settled state is readily available. And, its qualities -though several- are the same ones every time. Peaceful or clear … Continue reading →
Why the current focus on deepening one’s shamatha practice and one’s capacity of abiding in the light, clarity, and peace of Essence of Being? Because these qualities are real and true. A human being IS essence of Being, called by … Continue reading →
Please take the time (26 min.) to watch this important assessment of human rights in our world today. It is a riveting, comprehensive evaluation as well as a plea.
We return to the simple practice of abiding. Simple in simplicity, but as most practitioners soon discover not simple to accomplish. Why? Because every part of our incarnated nature is restless. Fidgety. And, always doing. At some point in meditation … Continue reading →
It is so important to hold all beings in our hearts these days, and every day. It matters. The energy of caring matters.
Colors. Tastes. Shapes. Then cooking and creating with them. Heaven! First: tomato, avocado salsa Second: tomato, cucumber, feta salad Third: tomato, basil soup Fourth: slightly cooked and canned tomatoes for a cold winter day Fifth: pear tomatoes. This one plant … Continue reading →
How fortunate we are. Acknowledging that in any moment generates a field of gratitude. Then, when that acknowledgement is wished forward for others and all beings, a field goes out from us. And, when this is done within a group, … Continue reading →
One of the few radio stations where I live is an activist, information-based station that is funded only and completely by listeners, KCEI. No corporate, public broadcasting, or other organized sources of funds. The station is decidedly left-of-center, people of … Continue reading →
How one begins a meditation sitting/session sets the tone. It supports the session by orienting the mind, aligning one. We begin with gratitude, then do the simple, yet deep, technique used Tuesday.
What is happiness? When asking one’s self, “what makes me happy?”, what are we seeking? What is the set or range of emotions and state of being we want or are looking for? Our meditation begins with an exploration, as … Continue reading →
The synopsis at the beginning focuses on the three, “mind, no mind, mind is luminous,” at play in our play with happy and happiness. To inquire “what makes me happy?” is utilizing the common mind. Yet, what we find over … Continue reading →
Luminous, bright. Happy. Sitting in the simple contemplation of what makes one happy, then reviewing that there are not only many types of happiness but also numerous qualities within those various types of happy, all of the qualities, the types … Continue reading →
What makes you happy? That is how we began. Feeling into happy, we also found a variety of happinesses plus a mandala of qualities within each. A deep and velvety set of qualities then effortlessly poured into the world. (the … Continue reading →
Luminosity, clarity, simplicity. Simple. Clear, straightforward, uncomplicated. At ease.
It was that simple. I had not been watering enough. Everyone who received plants from me had amazing robust plants producing robust fruit in their gardens, but all my plants were scrawny and unhappy. My body had a rough June; … Continue reading →
When things are clear, one’s mind rests and is at ease. Clarity is an attribute of luminosity. When something is defined, or known, or accepted, there is clarity about that thing or event. The mind rests, nothing more to think … Continue reading →
We might make the mistake of considering luminous as only related to light or visible brightness. Luminous is everything from joy and its sparkle, beauty and its delight, creativity and its inspiration, to inventiveness and its newness. Luminous and luminosity … Continue reading →
The three qualities of mind are accessible at all times in all situations. Let’s investigate, experience, and abide.
Three qualities, one mind. common mind: includes all and everything within incarnational-dimensional existence whether one is a frog, sequoia tree, orca, or human being. All sensory processes, forms or types of perception, all analytical and creative processes, discernment, discrimination, appreciation, … Continue reading →
We often circle back to instructions or methods used in previous cycles. We come back, now, to “mind, no mind, mind is luminous,” but do so freshly.
Radiating. It is the natural state of a sentient being. People radiate anger and hate, envy and avarice. We, human beings, also radiate patience, loving kindness, respect, joy, and the spirit of creativity. Beings such as trees radiate peace, stability, … Continue reading →
The human body is bio-electric. Human consciousness is unlimited by nature. On the physical, the psychic, empathic, and levels of expanded Presence, we are always radiating.
“We are all related.” and “All my relations.” These statements of ancient wisdom-compassion from Native People honor all beings including Tree People, Stone Beings, Wind and Rain Beings. They are statements of deep respect. In addition to honoring our relatives … Continue reading →
Plants need water. Duh! Being from Massachusetts, 50 years of gardening there made its imprints, for instance, what vegetables and flowers are a must every year, that each season is a fresh experiment on many levels, and how and when … Continue reading →
We circle back to the first of three contemplations on Love that we did last week. The first is from the Great Mahayana Aspiration Prayer of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra: “May I realize the ten powers: the power of all beneficial activity, … Continue reading →
Love “May me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hate, let me sow love. Where there is injury, let me bring pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. And, where there despair, let me bring hope. Where there is … Continue reading →
“We are all related,” and “All my relations.” Yes, but what is relationship/relatedness?
We reflected on this from a Buddhist prayer of aspiration: “May I realize the power of all beneficial activity and the power of all pervading love.” Innate. Thus accessible. Thus available. Within us.
We just had rain for much of three days, most at night which is excellent for plants of every kind and size. That includes the dandelions and bind weed that has purposefully been given fair freedom for three years due … Continue reading →
As a human being, it seems so important to come back to the heart time and again. At some point, heart-ness, will be human habit of consciousness. Evidence suggests that the cycle of evolution human beings are maturing through is … Continue reading →
At essence, the heart IS. Heart is resonance with all beings and all kinds of beings. Heart is the essence of cognition and awareness, of Knowing and Awareness. We meditate with essence.
Some videos for ideas and inspiration: 5 most epic Earth Healing projects: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPm2oOufnZc a homemade wildlife pond: https://youtu.be/4LvaX748pVI?si=aKFTlILds9a0xfmA we are bringing back a river with trees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bqLYJDXvSs new forests for greater climate protection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFQ9BXkm0LI Sadhguru’s plan to plant 2.42 Billion … Continue reading →
Mother Nature is a supreme teacher and gardening gives unending opportunities for learning, letting go, going with the flow and resting in what is. In no particular order: “plant seeds before your last frost”: so the package says. Trouble is … Continue reading →
Physicist and Nobel Laureate, Richard Feynman, was a fountain of wisdom. We used this quotation in this session: “There is pleasure in recognizing old things from a new viewpoint.” The practice of noticing the usually not noticed is, for example, … Continue reading →
Drawing upon the excellent and recommended book, Braiding Sweetgrass, we contemplate connectedness through reciprocity and mutually benefitting one another.
Is your garden the by-product of listening? No doubt, yes, for many of you/us. I have often thought when watching a documentary or YouTube on regenerative-permaculture-biodynamic-Natural processes that, in addition to whatever right brain skills and know-how someone has brought, … Continue reading →
With this sitting, we first reflect upon the beauty articulated with great variation by Nature, on land and in water. Then we consider our personal contributions to the Whole. Settling ensues and, then, with these grounding and expanding considerations of … Continue reading →
Two meditations: Tuesday we began a cycle of experiential review of – in this case – Presence and Nowness. Second, but first because it was Saturday’s, our meditation invites us to trust the connectedness of life, its telepathy, empathy, … Continue reading →
Meditation is a shared energetic. When a group or single person meditates, it resonates with beings. We are connected. Or as the Elder Wisdom states, “we are all related.”
How is it that a human being, or any being, experiences beauty? Heart-mind. How is it that we determine beauty or lack thereof? Heart-mind. How about appreciation, gratitude, loving-kindness, empathy, dedication? Heart-mind. Heart-mind is one “thing”, not two put together … Continue reading →
Each Spring the front lawn at Spirit Fire Meditative Retreat Center would erupt in color. It would begin as the snow at the edges of the flower beds would give-way. Ah, crocuses. Next, would be the daffodils. Singular yellow blossoms … Continue reading →
Observe, muse, be with. These three phases serve meditation practice. Each also provides gifts of their own. The natural world of Earth has existed for far longer than human beings have. As such, the Stone People, Tree People, River Beings, … Continue reading →
Finally, the views and “rules” on gardening have changed. Little by little, those who have been ahead of the masses like people at Findhorn or permaculture enthusiasts, those who companion plant, and organic farmers and gardeners, are now proven scientifically … Continue reading →
One facet of a sitting practice is listening. Such sitting and listening can be on a park bench or one’s backyard, the rooftop of an apartment building, or anywhere that one is. Listen! was the first instruction of the quote … Continue reading →
For a few weeks, we contemplated and meditated with a four-word quotation from the Kunjed Gyalpo tantra: “Listen! Understand! Meditate! Experience!” With this meditation session, we look at the meaning of the words Kunjed Gyalpo which translate as all creating … Continue reading →
Food for all kinds of beings! Currant bushes are the first fruit-bearing plants to blossom. They’ve been doing so for a week. Their flowers smell like honeysuckle and are tube-shaped. They and dandelions are the first pollinator food in this … Continue reading →
We reflect upon the qualities that arise or become apparent as each of us meditates; similarly the qualities one feels with appreciation, gratitude, or experiencing beauty.
Mother Nature is amazing!!! The Asparagus is coming up. Had it for supper on Tuesday. The Walking Onions are up adequately to cut greens to add to a sauté. Garlic greens are almost five inches tall. And Mountain Spinach (local … Continue reading →
Using the western astrological calendar, the full moon of May is held in remembrance of the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. We contemplate that together with another reason why training in shamatha is of value.
Spaciousness is natural within us. A modern life is one of constantly filling space: in our homes, minds, time, and pantries. What if we didn’t? What if the natural spacious quality within was recognized and one attempted to abide?
We return to the breath for this session. Breath as a contemplation, as a teacher and teaching. And, because breath alone is the one thing needed to be alive in this instant, breath makes all experiences, learning, insights, and love … Continue reading →
Sing a happy song! Let the tune, its words, meaning, and inspiration flow into the world. From your car, your shower, walking, sitting at home, while preparing a meal or getting dressed, chant mantra, sing a diddy, make it up … Continue reading →
Many times over the years, when together for these meditations, we just sit – in open awareness of present moment. The sensations are present, the room itself is present, each of us -having decided to come for meditation- is present. … Continue reading →
We drop into simplicity and discover layers of riches. They were already present. And, always are.
“Energy follows thought.” A focus on anything organizes one’s attention accordingly. This is something that I love about the facets of meditation and the mandala-like character of anything: an emotion, a perception, the sense of reality or of ‘me’, etc. … Continue reading →
Peace and ease feel good, pleasant. We meditate with the unity of joy within equanimity.
Equanimity, like all else, has many facets and qualities within it. Rather like when the word ‘tree’ is used, one knows that a tree is a combination of parts and qualities. Equanimity, as well. We explore the ‘ah’ quality in … Continue reading →
Equanimity is a quality of Being. It is inclusive, honoring due to recognized sameness, powerful and gentle at the same time. I speak for a few minutes on why we are focusing in the manner we are for this cycle. … Continue reading →
Once again, another facet of Awareness-Being: equanimity. Equanimity is not new in our meditation practice at all. Shamatha is a primary exercise toward equanimity. The tranquility, serenity, and evenness that slowly establish in meditation are also recognized as having already … Continue reading →
We look at common things in our life and how amazing it is that they are (in our life). Then, with that appreciation, we rejoice and send the wish that all beings have such good fortune into the world.
Circulatory flow. Toroidal flow. Call it what you will, but life is the interconnectedness of receiving and giving: breathe in-breathe out. Because we receive, we can give. Sometimes giving is a creative process, like giving food to a homeless person … Continue reading →
Active contemplation on joy in the moment brings insight into joy, understanding into the scope of what joy is, and ongoing opportunities to apply contemplative and meditative insights.
Joy is a mandala like everything else. Joy has sub-qualities, a variety of subtle emotions, factors of perception involved, and all of these specific to the person and the circumstance that is being named as one of joy. In human … Continue reading →
What to be joyous about? What to celebrate? Hmmm. My annual neurologist appointment requires a drive, an overnight hotel stay, then the drive home again. When in a “city”, there are errands to accomplish because such and such is not … Continue reading →
People have been meditating on and with the heart forever. What it is, if anything can energetically be defined, is presented in a variety of ways through the traditions of contemplation and meditation in the world and human history. To … Continue reading →
Our focus on joy and its natural emanations into the world and our lives must include the experience of Presence. We have spent many meditations abiding in Presence and experiencing its already-present quality and nature. Joy springs from essence of … Continue reading →
This podcast begins with an explanation of the two-fold aspiration and intention behind the current cycle of meditations and training with joy.
Trust in the vibration of joy. Let it pour into the world where it will resonate with the goodness in others and induce it arising in them!
First, is learning that joy has many qualities. Those will become more familiar and obvious as we “notice the usually not noticed” that is within a moment of joy, happiness or delight. Second: when in a moment of joy, happiness, … Continue reading →
Over the last couple of years we’ve explored our senses, Presence, and being present. We have learned to recognize our state -of emotion, or projection, assumption, or awe, and the range of Beingness displaying any instant. We have discovered that … Continue reading →
As one explores awareness, one discovers Awareness. Awareness is always on, so to speak, always functioning. We’re learning to rely upon the fullness of Awareness, its compassionate responsiveness, and always present Presence more and more.
Life is a fullness. Every instant and interaction is multi-dimensional, and is expressing shared beingness. We know this due to softening and opening into the fullness. We do so through Presence and present-moment-Awareness. Commonly, that’s called “centeredness”. The repetition of … Continue reading →
a contemplation on the question of it you have the tools you need for Presence and in the moment awareness.
As often is the case with our meditation sessions, we begin simply. And, oh the wonders we find -that were already present!
One can consider anything the view of the interconnectedness of all life. We frequently have used the breath for such in our meditations over the years. Each in-breath is the byproduct of countless green beings. Each out-breath will be breathed … Continue reading →
Our meditative experience is vibrational. It goes out from the meditator effortlessly into the world and his or her immediate environment. Those vibrations of peace or serenity, tranquility or expanse, and so forth also permeate one’s bodies, one’s mind-emotion complex … Continue reading →
What is the bodhisattva Path? How should one think on this? And, what is bodhisattva practice? The term “bodhisattva,” though from the Sanskrit language, is a universal idea as well as an idealized embodiment of all that is good, sane, … Continue reading →
The English language is one wherein definitions, distinctions, and separating are primary mechanisms. Most indigenous languages as well as older languages of the world such as those of the East (Chinese, the many dialects of the Himalayas and sub-continent), Mayan … Continue reading →
Awakening is simple regarding a type of awakening that serves in the moment any day. It uses knowing/acknowledging. If I know that, due to circumstances, my mind is not going to easily settle if settle at all, then starting the … Continue reading →
Everything is relationship and is the by-product of relationships. Can you think of an example that is not? The term relationship is being used meaning all the causes, factors, conditions (supportive and less so) that bring forward everything from a … Continue reading →
The “who” that is reading this or will do the meditation podcast, or who helped someone today or needed help, who smiled or cried, was patient or impatient, experienced fun or fear or anything else today is a dependent compilation, … Continue reading →
Breathing is life from first to last and every breath in between. Focus on the breath is an root races’ ancient technique for present-moment awareness in order to reveal intrinsic Awareness. The qualities of Awareness are accessible any moment. Peace … Continue reading →
Which do you like more: Indian food or Italian? What toothpaste do you use; and is it with or without fluoride? Such personal choices are examples of “everything exists in the mind. The mind makes it so.” I don’t own … Continue reading →
A typical guided meditation fully uses the creative imagination; and that’s fine. The idea of alignment (verticality), a focus on the heart or a chakra (location and visual imagery such as color or shape), or something like roots of light … Continue reading →
This meditation is a vibrant use of the creative imagination together with the long silences that encourage softening and opening into whatever is present.
We drop into beauty so as to understand more of the fullness of the mind that makes it so.
As I reached for just the right cushion and meditation blanket, I laughed. Yup, the mind makes it so!
Any object, internal or external, personal, natural, cultural, historical, and so forth, can be an object of contemplation. Limitlessly.
This season is held by much of humanity, religious and non-religious traditions, as sacred. We share in the sacredness of moment and Presence.
We add this group field, and you, to the meditations, prayers, rituals and practices being done around the world at this time of the year and this full moon cycle.
We settle into our state of the moment so as to discover the mandala within it. Soften and open includes a variety of subtle qualities and naturally, spontaneously occurs in myriad situations. Let’s drop in and experience.
Exploring wholeness includes wondering about that which tends to be named as something other than a display or feature of intrinsic wholeness such as frustration or pain, worry or anger. Gratitude, joy, genuineness and strength of character: these are easily … Continue reading →
The “who” question can be approached, investigated, and contemplated in many ways and from various angles. Some involve reasoning, others direct experience. We’re letting our experience inform our reasoning. Before the sound of a bird or neighbor in the adjacent … Continue reading →
The exploration of one’s experience is simultaneously an analysis of one’s reality and, thereby, Reality overall. In the current cycle of online meditations and contemplations we are going more within in order to ask what is there: what is one … Continue reading →
Changeable. Fluctuating. Body, thoughts, and emotion-mind in constant motion. Such are apt descriptions of a human being. Lots gets done because of how dynamic a person is. Lots of energy, time, money, and focus also get high-jacked or wasted. As … Continue reading →
Purposefully this post is not titled recognizing nonduality. Doing so would assert that nonduality truly is. Rather, and spontaneously so, each moment is expressing nondual, a union, a unified whole. By revisiting one-pointedness, one discovers that one-pointedness is a resting … Continue reading →
The inside creates the outside. Years ago, when I taught meditation using that phrase, it had plenty of meaning. Our mood, frame of reference, orientation, even how much caffeine or other substances (the inside) literally create how we perceive and, … Continue reading →
Each instant is a union of myriad, and possibly uncountable, factors. Causes and conditions, choices and preferences, aversions and avoidances all conflate and project a seeming moment, an apparational sense of self and what it ephemerally is experiencing. Note all … Continue reading →
Relax into the union of softness and one-pointedness. Take your time (relax). Let it reveal itself as a quality of your mind-emotion reality.
Coming back to fundamentals in meditation is always worthwhile. This time as we do so it is with the question of “who” in the background. The fundamental is one-pointedness.
This meditation is simple, like so many that we do. The simplicity is a teaching and a training. I wonder if our modern world has almost obliterated simplicity? I wonder if, unless one has chosen a reclusive and rural life, … Continue reading →
Without the cultural habit of judgement, please reflect on your choices through the day. Are your choices ones that bring you liberation or do they produce and reinforce entanglement?
We resumed the cycle of meditations on the sense of self this morning through sitting with the choice we all made to be together for meditation, and that choice as one that we made for ourselves as well. The goodness … Continue reading →
Hi friends, I’m visiting an ailing friend for a few days, plus travel. So, I’ll “see” you on Saturday once home again. May all beings be free from suffering. love, donna
When Awareness is in its seat, we are present. The experience, then, is Presence. Presence is a rich mandala of qualities and subtlety, yet all within the experience of the moment. Each facet of Presence, of Awareness in its seat, … Continue reading →
The uniqueness of each person is unmistakable. The same is so for other beings. That’s easy to see in humans, or dogs or cats; but uniqueness is found in animals that flock or school also. They move together when threatened … Continue reading →
We settle into Presence right away. As we do, each person experiences Presence in the ways he or she does, yet there are qualities experienced that are universal. One is changelessness.
Using our own experiences, we pray for others. Heart-fully. We also integrate a mantra given by Master DK into our prayer for others and ourselves. (see below)
The goodness that we bring into the world is done via the self. It is the instrument. Meditation tunes the instrument so that the self is attuned to our fullest potential.
Warm-heartedness is one of many possible expressions of the bright and shining quality of a human being. For the wellness of it, for others by resonance, for the world, we generated and radiate warm-heartedness.
This morning before the session with the group, I was doing a dawn practice that is for people and beings who ave passed on through the night. It made me think of our meditation training which will be with us … Continue reading →
We have many times sat in the simultaneity of the many-ness that is happening. Some meditations have been just that in order to bring forward how amazing any moment’s experience is. Even when what is dominant to our psyche is … Continue reading →
Who we are fluctuates through the day. We are chameleon-like. And, observing and exploring that can be quite humorous and like being an adventurer in a new land. Never a dull moment!
We complete this year with a simple meditation: breathing. Settling the form, the mind, emotions, the colon, the joints and so forth is the beginning. Doing so provides awareness as to how tight and restless we often (maybe usually) are … Continue reading →
The foundation of meditation is focused attention combined with relaxed tranquility of mind. Even a child has this capacity. We relax into Presence and it wafts into the world.
There are universal teachings of the world. They are within the corpus of all traditions and have been agelessly. What is fresh and new is what human beings bring to those teachings. Your newness comes from within you, supported by … Continue reading →
Set the energy and tone of 2023 with reflective contemplation and meditation of what has been and what you aspire to bring forward. Such a way of entering the new year fosters fulfillment of your aspirations which benefits others, the … Continue reading →
Warm-heartedness is the most meaningful present. May your Presence bless all whom you encounter and embrace, this season and always.
In order to conceptually proceed into Trungpa Rinpoche’s teaching regarding the rest of the bodhisattva bhumis, a review of some key points (see previous post on Bodhisattva Bhumis). On pg. 181, Rinpoche says, “Prajna is of absolute, utmost importance in … Continue reading →
After meditation, I prepared a garden pumpkin for cooking. Inside it, two seeds had sprouted. Long probing tendrils were making their way through the body of the pumpkin to find the two spots on the shell softening with age. I … Continue reading →
Settling and breathing give ‘way to a contemplative mindful Presence as we explore the breathing of our cells and their natural radiating into the world.
All beings have a heart. As someone radiates and lives from his or her essence of Being, the same essence resonates in others. It’s a matter of oscillation and reverberation!
A member of the study group asked, “how to establish one’s self on the Bhumis?” In other words, how to mature on the Path of Awakening. The response given was, “It’s simple: Know your mind.” The Western psychological model has … Continue reading →
The Winter Solstice is coming. It has been a celebration of all cultures of the world since the dawn of time. It has always been marked by human beings making light. Candles and candle crowns, yule log fires and bon … Continue reading →
There are so many ways to look at the Path of Awakening. Every spiritual tradition through human history has provided context, practices, rituals, community and support. The idea of getting from here to there seems to be embedded in human … Continue reading →
Universal, as in embracing and equanimous; unifying and at-one-ing. Awareness is benevolent. Radiant and powerful, Awareness is benevolent.
This week completes with a reflection on reflecting itself. The act of contemplation (and all its various forms) is one that brings forward luminous emptiness, derives from these two inseparable qualities, while contemplation is also an example or expression of … Continue reading →
As this year is winding toward completion, we are reflecting on change; change related to maturing in awareness. On Tuesday, the consideration was personal and led to the open space of the heart-mind more unified as a result of meditative … Continue reading →
Over Thanksgiving, like you, I found myself reflecting on the many inner and external factors that I am grateful for. After acknowledging the blessings of friends, family, a home and the kindness of so many people, Awareness itself became the … Continue reading →
Hi all, Due to traveling and being with loved ones, I will be unavailable for online meditations this week. My apologies. We resume on Tues. Nov. 29. See you then. May our meditations, wherever we are, nurture goodness!
The scope of Awareness is unfathomable, yet we live awareness every moment of our existence. All mechanisms of incarnated existence are the instruments of awareness; the Awareness that we are. In this very moment, the fullness of your experience is … Continue reading →
Please listen to this podcast and its meditation. Awareness is whole-istic, unitive. Awareness is benevolent.
We further the exploration of abundance through the velvety smoothness of quietude. How rich!
A primary principle of Nature and the natural world is abundance. Millions of leaves on a tree, hundreds of pine cones, tens time ten seeds to one plant. There is no lack in Nature. Even in a desert environment, though … Continue reading →
We sit again in resonating goodness naturally flowing into the world and our local environments from the open heart.
Loving-kindness. It can seem so … basic; and yet if each moment’s thoughts, actions, choices, and relating were predicated upon it, sourced from it, the world would be a different place. Our health, relationships would, too. Live from loving-kindness. BE … Continue reading →
A human being is a heart incarnate. Heart essence, heart goodness, heart Presence is what each of us is. Our challenge is how we are influenced, even brainwashed, from before birth and then through the rest of our lives. Yet, … Continue reading →
Hi friends, We are having a week-long meditation retreat here in Jaroso soon. A few of us are working round the clock (kinda!) to prepare food, clean houses, and such. Doing so as meditation practice is such good training! So, … Continue reading →
A meditation practice invites noticing the relatedness of the obvious and the subtle. Whether the macro of the world and the micro of your life mirroring each other in some way or displaying how interwoven they are or the example … Continue reading →
Self-reflection. Self-exploration. Self-discovery. Self-liberation. What more need be said?
Present-moment Awareness is a harmonious state. That is easily recognizable when we are Present. But, what might be less acknowledged is how harmony, unto itself, is benevolent to all beings within us (microbes, endorphins, and so forth), around us, and … Continue reading →
Varying one’s meditation practice is really important. This is why, for instance, in all traditions and learning processes multiple forms are used. We learned to sing the alphabet before we learned to draw letters, for example. In this sitting we … Continue reading →
Meditation is possible each moment. All we need do is drop into it, drop into Presence and present-moment Awareness. Today we use Beauty as the gateway. (Sunflower photo is from my garden.)
hi all, I’m traveling and thought I might be able to manage online meditations while doing so. But, that isn’t going to happen. See you next Tuesday, Oct. 4 online. Until then, cultivate loving-kindness with yourself and all others including … Continue reading →
Engage each moment for the fact that it has never expressed before and nothing in all its features will be as is again.
A meditation practice should have a revelatory feature that demonstrates off the cushion most of the time. Because of a focus on the flow of the breath, for example, one begins to experience the push and struggle of when “things” … Continue reading →
Imagine all human interactions with all kinds of beings and Mother Earth done from the mindfulness of breathing, Being, and gentle simplicity. Let’s BE this.
The garden is coming into peak harvest here in Jaroso, CO, for everything except tomatoes. Lots of green fruit slowly changing color, though! Here are couple recipes created on the fly and now keepers. Gluten-free, vegetarian, yummy. Quinoa Tabouleh: makes … Continue reading →
In this session, some of this was said spontaneously. Let me repeat it here for those who do not use the podcast. We have learned to notice the usually not noticed incrementally. Now some of our emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and … Continue reading →
All the best qualities of Being are intrinsic to Being. Loving-kindness, patience, generosity, diligence, forbearance, prajna, bodhichitta, compassion, and so forth are within us already. We experience this fact with this meditation.
Sorry friends to not be with you on Tuesday. Please for the world and yourself. See you Thursday.
There are a number of ways to approach prajna. Fundamentally, they all boil down to voidness thus infinitude and to the mandala of infinite possibilities expressing right now. Each leads to the other, thus to the sublime and present emptiness … Continue reading →
It is because the bee in non-distracted that each flower provides an incredible non-dual experience for it. And exactly this, distraction, is why human beings are generally entangled in duality.
As the bee lands on the flower, all of its needs are met; and the bee enters a nondual state. The duration of that for the bee is shorter than for a human being, but bee-time is not human time. … Continue reading →
There is no podcast for this session, but here is the context and “instruction.” We have been approaching the subject of prajna in an experiential manner. Within Tibetan Buddhism and its Indian sources or roots, prajna (Sanskrit) indicates correct perception … Continue reading →
These random garden moments include earlier in the season. I live at 7800 ft. elevation. The growing season is generally less than 90 days; sometimes 70 from snow/frost to snow/frost. I moved here in the Autumn of 2018. Each … Continue reading →
Remember the quoted instruction from Garab Dorje to “directly discover your own state”? We’re still with this this; and using it to understand and experience prajna.
Intimacy. Union. We experience nonduality when in these states. In other words, our subjectivity and our in-the-moment experience of an object are merged. Subjectivity and objectivity are in union due to the intimacy of the experienced moment, like the bee … Continue reading →
Today’s meditation is intimate with the world. Please share your beingness with our world which is such need. Every moment check in with yourself. Am I benefiting others and the planet?
The function of meditation training is awareness. A human being goes through each day like an automaton: using certain mental, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive processes repeatedly while the vast potential of these and more features of Being are not explored. … Continue reading →
We go back to the senses and sensations in order to go forward into prajna, perceiving more truly.
I’m not writing much with these posts because the experience of the meditations is best served without preconceptions.
Human beings have the capacity to enter the terrain of our thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and states of consciousness. We do not know if animals can be self-reflective or if plants are, but we are. Doing so, a human being has … Continue reading →
Like concentric circles rippling on a pond, the benefit of your meditation practice goes out.
Intrinsic. The natural state is a unified state: whole, inclusive, continuous. The natural state of a human being is no different than Nature herself: completely unified, already self-knowing, innately capable of wondrous Being. We are directly experiencing prajna: a unified … Continue reading →
In this meditation we use our meditative training in Presence, the senses, and direct experience as a component within the total remediation needed on every level and front in and for the world.
A year and half ago, we began discovering our five common senses and more of the range of each from the course -and thus automated and unconscious- to the middling sensations provided by the senses such as the taste of … Continue reading →
We’ve been expanding the idea or definition of “a state,” as in a meditative state or state of mind. We now understand that the term is comprehensive and indicates a gamut of mental, emotional, contemplative and meditative states. With this … Continue reading →
Each moment is a mandala. Our five physical senses, the 6th sense of the daily mind (in its full range), plus any developed subtle senses (related to these six) are experiencing a plethora of qualities, sounds, textures, moods, and so … Continue reading →
“Directly discover your own state. Remain without any doubt. Achieve confidence in self-liberation.” Garab Dorje This week, we focus on the first sentence of Garab Dorje’s Three Statements that Strike the Essential Point. But in order to do so, we … Continue reading →
Choices. Our choices matter. The world is in the condition that it is solely due to the choices that human beings make. Most of those choices are voluntary. Some are out of desperation. But, that is likely not the case … Continue reading →
Good things take time, but they do eventuate. Benefit can also be instantaneous and delightful, catching us by surprise. Let’s reflect on the ripples of transformation or benefit that have resulted from awareness more it its seat. That which is … Continue reading →
Countless beings, beginning with human beings, have supported us and our Path since beginningless time. With a thankful heart and mind, we reflect on some aspects of that in this meditation.
We are having an in-person meditation retreat here in Jaroso. Please continue your meditation practice for the world, your self, and everyone around you. Use this blog for podcasts or practice on your own. We’ll meditate online on Saturday, June … Continue reading →
I hope that you will listen to this podcast because to type what was spontaneously said would be redundant for those who do listen. Laughter and an explanation of why each person’s experience of Presence (essence, Awareness, or various other … Continue reading →
The essence of a sentient being is unchanging; unchanging like the space in front of your face or in your room or your yard or in cosmos. The air in that space can be altered but not the space itself. … Continue reading →
Let’s be honest … and pray, meditate, and do all that each of us can to insist upon, participate in, and instigate or create the changes necessary in human existence in this world for the world, our species, and all … Continue reading →
Trinity leaned toward Neo’s ear and whispered. “You know the question.” “Yes,” Neo replied as if lost in contemplation, then spoke the unthinkable: “What is the Matrix?” Our question today is just as reality-shaking: Who am I? What am I? … Continue reading →
The confidence born of contemplation and meditation has no ego to it. Pride or arrogance have no ground with inner confidence. Why so? Because ego-based so-called confidence is predicated upon outer measures: mundane, changeable, and ultimately valueless metrics. Surety, integrity, … Continue reading →
Confidence is championed within western society. Yet, all too often, the brand of confidence massaged or paraded has little to no integrity. However, when confidence radiates from the heart of Awareness, the inner essence and natural essence of Being, then … Continue reading →
The sensations are neutral. Warm or cool, rough or soft, spicy or sweet, a hum or a roar, the senses directly register a phenomenon or set of phenomena but the senses, themselves, have no commentary, preference, aversion, joy or pain. … Continue reading →
Undulation -gentle, flowing, unbroken and rhythmic- is witnessed throughout the natural world. the flow of water in small systems like rain drops winding their collective way down a windshield or in larger systems like streams, rivers -the circulatory system of … Continue reading →
Meditation is so straightforward. The steps build upon themselves. Each process, set of sensations, breath, or experience of Presence/Present moment Awareness will mature, ripen, and sustain as one learns to open to these as they are. On and off the … Continue reading →
The current technique is explained simply at the beginning of this podcast. Ah, embodied Presence through the day!
The art and science of meditation is older than historically recognized time. Human beings have been practicing the components of contemplation and meditation forever and doing so in ways available and germane to their existence and environment, their circumstances and … Continue reading →
There are various things that we learn that keep giving. Reading and literacy for example. Collaborating with others learned as pick-up games such as softball, basketball, hide and seek when I was a kid were where one learned how to … Continue reading →
It’s amazing how a seed so small can grow into a plant so full. That’s Mother Nature! Tiny snowflakes compile to inches or feet of snow; when funneled together, single raindrops can flood a street, replenish a river, and turn … Continue reading →
When Buddha Maitreya comes to this world-system, humanity will have matured into a species of loving-kindness. There will be no violence, covetousness, aggression or greed of any kind expressing through the human psyche or the human collective. Animals will not … Continue reading →
Celebrate uncertainty with gratitude and Awareness. Share both in every way with everyone and everything every moment.
This image displays your nuclear essence of Being just as it evinces the expression of a star coming into its fullness. The nature or essence that the star is learning to manifest was already present in space; it had to … Continue reading →
Not is the world in a cycle of specific and far-reaching change, but change is constant in you. That to you these curves and lines are letters is because you and I learned this (or were brainwashed to think so!). … Continue reading →
Let me be upfront: I love the BuddhaDharma. It comprises the majority of my day and night. It is my practice, entertainment, enjoyment, and that which constantly helps me be non-deceiving with myself, non-deceptive about anything in any moment. At … Continue reading →
Months ago, we learned to notice our senses more fully and the riches of them. Then, Presence and present Awareness were added. Because of the senses, Presence was experienced more fully as well. We have come to trust that our … Continue reading →