The 5 Remembrances Today I want to talk about a short teaching from the Buddhist tradition called the Five Remembrances. They’re called “remembrances” because they’re not meant to be philosophical ideas we agree with once and move on. They’re meant to be remembered—returned to again and again—because they describe the basic conditions of being human. […]
Our Shared Earth: A Practice of Interdependence On April 22, the world celebrated Earth Day, and despite concerns about what we’re facing as a planet, it’s easy to feel there is not much we can do as things seem to have gone so far in the wrong direction. It can feel overwhelming at times, and […]
Enlightenment: Dialogue between a student and teacher. Student: “What is Enlightenment?” Teacher: “Before Enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After Enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” said Zen Master Pang 8th century. This is a famous Zen saying often used as a koan given to Zen sudents to be solved. What does that mean? If nothing […]
Karma demystified In Zen, karma (literally "action") is stripped of its more mystical , divine or multi birth-death reincarnation cycles found in other spiritual traditions such as genuine Buddhism: Instead, Zen focuses on the immediate, psychological, and practical application of this factual concept. Here is how karma is traditionally understood within Zen teaching: 1. Cause […]
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness: Mindfulness of the Body In one of the foundational Buddhist scriptures, the Buddha instructs the practitioners on what he calls the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. He presents them as an effective path for those who wish to deepen their practice and make genuine progress towards liberation. According to the Buddha, […]
Love & Non-Attachment: Is there a Zen paradox ? How to practice non-attachment in loving relationships. Zen is teaching to practice loving kindness and non-attachment to whomever/whatever since attachment is the main culprit of our “suffering” which includes our negative feelings. Can we love and be non-attached at the same time? Is there incompatibility? Paradoxally, […]
Mindset can be a mind trap In Zen, having your mindset mostly made up of conceptual thinking is seen as the main obstacle to true understanding of concrete reality, genuine self and awakening. Zen places an immense value on flexibility, openness, and seeing reality exactly as it is in the present moment, not filtered through […]
Effects of mindfulness-based meditation on the brain structures and functions.which have been proven scientifically over the last few years, Scientific research into meditation has shifted from observing "feel-good" anecdotes to documenting structural changes in the brain. Using neuroimaging techniques like fMRI, PET, and intracranial EEG, scientists have identified several key areas where meditation consistently alters […]
Demystifying Awakening Important clarification Awakening in Zen is not: A permanent divine, and mystic bliss during which one becomes supernatural, problem free, and enjoying permanent stress-free life full of joy, pleasure, control, and power. In fact, it is simply waking up away from our mind-made fictional worlds. The opposite of being Awakened is what Zen […]
The importance of listening to silence in Zen practice. In Zen practice, listening to silence is not “ listening to “nothing.” It is considered a fundamental gateway to experience our genuine self,, and concrete reality both of them exempt from our ongoing noisy mind. Here is why cultivating an ear for silence is central to […]
