The garbage needs to be emptied. The cat’s claws need to be clipped. The back closet needs cleaning, and that letter to Aunt Flo simply can’t wait any longer. As you approach or think about entering your quiet corner for meditation practice, you may be distracted by the need to do something else. Don’t be [...]
It’s unfortunate that the routine of working has such a bad rap these days. Since we spend the bulk of our day working, our attitude toward it determines our level of harmony in relation to it. So if we are stuck in negativity—blaming our boss, the job itself, and the long hours we spend at [...]
…continued from – What We Don’t Know Can Hurt Us As children, we learned to fear the mythical bogeyman. But time passes and we outgrow our childish fears. As adults, we give no thought to bogeymen, not realizing that we’ve co-opted them. Almost without our knowing it, they begin to appear in the form of [...]
Seeing the Big Picture 2:6 …continued from Learning to See Again If you take the suggestions outlined here, you will begin to notice your awareness blossom. As you open to your world, start paying attention to the details around you. One small thing you can do to constantly remind yourself to stay alert, to keep [...]
One purpose of our practice is to enjoy our old age. But we can’t fool ourselves. Only sincere practice will work. Suzuki Roshi Boun's Buddhas We have been conditioned to withdraw our awareness from the unpleasant. Break that imprinting! Whatever limits the entrance of awareness limits healing. When it’s “the” pain, it has [...]
As the days pass, you will have begun to practice your breathing and homed in on a quiet corner or two. You can now begin to extend your breathing practice. Once you settle into your corner, sit down in a comfortable, relaxed position. You can sit on cushions on the floor or sit upright in [...]
There are certain daily practices that we all engage in to maintain our physical and mental health, with eating, sleeping, and bathing being the three main ones. Whether you’re mindful of it or not, most likely you already have established habits of bathing. It is probably a daily act that takes place at about [...]
Discovery 2:2 – The Second Step: Seeing Clearly & Letting Go …continued from 7 Steps to Loving What You Do – Discovery 2:1 – Seeing Clearly & Letting Go Too often we live in the future, especially when it comes to our jobs. We live for the weekend, we can’t wait for vacations, we spend [...]
You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope. Thomas Merton If we are not intentional and mindful in our work, then [...]
Seeing the Big Picture 2:5 …continued from You Are Not Doing This Alone I believe that desperation is a great motivator and that most spiritual pursuits are fueled by desperate conditions and situations. Crisis often brings out the best in people. For the duration of the crisis we put aside our petty problems and focus [...]
