Archive for 2008
Cultivate the Seven Key Attitudinal Factors of qualities of heart and mind that lay the foundation for mindfulness practice and for seeing and accepting things as they are as a first step to working wisely and compassionately with stress, pain, illness, and sorrow as well as life’s joys and pleasures-Jon Kabot-Zinn (One of America’s foremost teachers on Mindfulness)
Free yourself from limiting perspectives, and become more intimate with your own boundless awareness. We are speaking of the Buddhist term equanimity.
To develop equanimity we must cultivate the qualities of the mind that support its growth. There are seven mental qualities, …
(Read More) Tags: heart, mind, virtue
On this occasion, we recognize the life of our Lord Shakyamuni Buddha, as you offer the robes this Kathina season remember the compassion that has been shown to you and allows each of us to offer towards each other the loving kindness and compassion modeled by Lord Buddha.
The Buddha set forth a path that is built upon wisdom, compassion and loving-kindness. It is a path that stresses the importance of charity, non-violence, community, and learning and understanding. Kathina is one our most important ceremonies of the year, and is an opportunity for all of us to remember the patience, …
(Read More) Tags: kathina, peace
Dharma Speech delivered to the 10th Annual Oklahoma Buddhist Conference Held at the Oklahoma City University on October 4th, 2008
Living in a gulf coast community has its ups and downs. Just like every community anywhere. A 650 mile wide hurricane affects an enormous area. Wherever you travel your senses are overwhelmed by the damage and debris quite evident everywhere. Had the same storm made its landfall on the east coast of US or Florida or southern Texas or Mexico would the effect be any less? I do not think so. Basically the differences would be locality …
(Read More) Tags: equanimity, hurricane, oklahoma
September 22nd, 2008 · 1 Comment
Evacuation again; Why me?
Living in a gulf coast community has its ups and downs. Just like every community anywhere. A 650 mile wide hurricane affects a large area. The damage and debris is quite evident everywhere you venture. If the same storm had made its landfall on the east coast of US or Florida or southern Texas or Mexico would the effect be any less? I do not think so. The only difference would be locality and people.
Storms and hurricanes are not sent to destroy a people or land for any reason. They are a natural phenomenon that …
(Read More) Tags: Dharma Talks, hurricane
August 9th, 2008 · 1 Comment
“Growing in the mud, yet not smelling of the Mire”
The lotus flower holds a special place for all of us, East and West as it symbolizes our struggle in this world. A pure and beautiful flower is born in the still waters of the pond underneath the mud, and, when the time comes, it emerges. It grows out of the water and straight toward the sky, opening its petals in the rays of warm sunlight, revealing its natural beauty. In sharing its fragrance with the world, it leaves the mud far behind. The large rounded leaves are water-resistant, as …
(Read More) Tags: buddhist symbols, lotus
