He's on his way back home
Friday, August 29, 2014
Friday, August 15, 2014
A dance alternating between awareness and unawareness
One perspective on my practice, is that it is a dance, alternating between awareness and unawareness.
Walking...
breathing in breathing out...
trees swaying, breeze gently blowing on my skin...
Walking...
thinking about my presentation tomorrow...
worrying about another issue at work...
Walking...
A bee buzzing across my head buzzZZ!
feeling the physical sensations of being startled...
May all of us continue to enjoy our practice and be well and happy.
Amituofo. =)
Walking...
breathing in breathing out...
trees swaying, breeze gently blowing on my skin...
Walking...
thinking about my presentation tomorrow...
worrying about another issue at work...
Walking...
A bee buzzing across my head buzzZZ!
feeling the physical sensations of being startled...
May all of us continue to enjoy our practice and be well and happy.
Amituofo. =)
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Basic Buddhism 101
When we first come across the teachings, one basic teaching was this:
Avoid Causing Harm; Do Good; Purify the Mind; This is the Teachings of All Buddhas
It previously came across to me as common sense but vague.
It is only recently that it dawned on me how relevant this is to my everyday practice, in fact it offers a sound framework for my everyday practice.
Avoid Causing Harm
Everyday I cause harm to myself and others when I get caught in my self-centred emotions. Driven by negative emotions such as anger, unkind speech and action unfolds. My practice (as already elaborated in previous posts) is to recognise and refrain from following the self centred storylines and to return to feeling the uncomfortable sensations, grounded in the present moment.
Simple practice but not easy. Through this practice, I have come to realise how deep my habitual tendencies run. This is truly a lifelong practice.
Do Good
When I am not caught up in my self-centred emotions and thinking, it becomes possible to do good. Nothing spectacular. I am talking about gentle words and acts in our everyday life, about touching deeply the life that is available in the present moment. Saying good morning to the bus driver, giving up seat to a elderly auntie, buying tissue from the blind uncle, thanking and encouraging my staff for their effort at work, and smiling lovingly to my wife and son.
Again simple but not easy. How often I am caught up in some self-centred dream and fail to touch deeply the life that is available in the here and the now.
Purify the Mind
This part serves to remind me to take pauses throughout the day, as and when possible. Other than formal sitting practices in the early morning and late evening, I just need to notice pauses in between discrete events in everyday life. There are plenty of opportunities if I stay mindful. Like during the morning bus ride, like when queuing up for food during breakfast and lunch, like when first stepping into office, sitting down and waiting for the computer to power up. There are many other little moments when I can pause and press 'control alternate delete' button for my mind. Put aside all thinking and just pause to enjoy my breathing in and breathing out.
May all of us continue to enjoy our practice and be well and happy.
Amituofo. =)
Avoid Causing Harm; Do Good; Purify the Mind; This is the Teachings of All Buddhas
It previously came across to me as common sense but vague.
It is only recently that it dawned on me how relevant this is to my everyday practice, in fact it offers a sound framework for my everyday practice.
Avoid Causing Harm
Everyday I cause harm to myself and others when I get caught in my self-centred emotions. Driven by negative emotions such as anger, unkind speech and action unfolds. My practice (as already elaborated in previous posts) is to recognise and refrain from following the self centred storylines and to return to feeling the uncomfortable sensations, grounded in the present moment.
Simple practice but not easy. Through this practice, I have come to realise how deep my habitual tendencies run. This is truly a lifelong practice.
Do Good
When I am not caught up in my self-centred emotions and thinking, it becomes possible to do good. Nothing spectacular. I am talking about gentle words and acts in our everyday life, about touching deeply the life that is available in the present moment. Saying good morning to the bus driver, giving up seat to a elderly auntie, buying tissue from the blind uncle, thanking and encouraging my staff for their effort at work, and smiling lovingly to my wife and son.
Again simple but not easy. How often I am caught up in some self-centred dream and fail to touch deeply the life that is available in the here and the now.
Purify the Mind
This part serves to remind me to take pauses throughout the day, as and when possible. Other than formal sitting practices in the early morning and late evening, I just need to notice pauses in between discrete events in everyday life. There are plenty of opportunities if I stay mindful. Like during the morning bus ride, like when queuing up for food during breakfast and lunch, like when first stepping into office, sitting down and waiting for the computer to power up. There are many other little moments when I can pause and press 'control alternate delete' button for my mind. Put aside all thinking and just pause to enjoy my breathing in and breathing out.
May all of us continue to enjoy our practice and be well and happy.
Amituofo. =)
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