It’s a mysterious question, because no one has the answer. The impact is actually in the practices themselves—of compassion, loving-kindness, forgiveness, mindfulness, interdependence. The practices and their scientifically validated benefits are what is changing education, health care, arts, and athletics, etc. What’s really important is not whether someone becomes part of another religion or belief system but how they live. No one knows exactly what form Western Buddhism is going to take, but there will be a new form, just as it became Zen in Japan or Vajrayana in Tibet. And we get to be part of seeing how that unfolds. - Jack Kornfield
You have a choice about the kind of life you lead. Take control over your own experience of life. - Trungram Gyalwa
Buddhist monks in Japan have been tweeting videos of themselves wearing their robes while juggling, skateboarding, and skipping rope to demonstrate that the traditional attire is not restrictive. The videos are a response to an incident in which police pulled over a monk and fined him 6,000 yen ($55) for wearing “constricting” robes that supposedly impaired his driving. So his fellow monks from a temple in Kyoto, started the Twitter protest, posting videos of their various feats with the hashtag Sōi de dekiru mon, meaning “I can do it in robes.”
Self control will pale one among the Gods, while lack of it will lead to deepest darkness.
- Tirukural 121 ![]() (public domain image from www.pixabay.com) When I sit to meditate, I begin by lighting up a stick of incense. Here's why:
A good day doesn’t just happen. It’s requires mindfulness, intention, deliberation, commitment and a soft heart. No matter what’s going on in your life, no matter how you’re feeling emotionally, physically, mentally, you have the power to make it a good day for others and yourself. Each morning when you rise, resolve to …
Cultivate friendship with
people who are wise and good. You cannot gain wisdom and goodness from books alone. - Victor M. Parachin You practice dana (generosity) to eradicate the attachment that comes from feelings of scarcity and separateness. - Phillip Moffit
Whatever technique one is using, remember that the spirit of practice is more important than the technique. Finding a way to enjoy just sitting is key. Sitting meditation is a refuge, not a test. - Narayan Liebenson Grady
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Victor M. Parachin ...is aVedic educator, yoga instructor, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of a dozen books. Buy his books at amazon or your local bookstore. Archives
July 2024
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