Calming Your Mind Buddhist-Style – A 30-Second Method for Non-Buddhists and Buddhists Alike

December 1, 2016 by Domyo Burk

Sitting – Flickr Commons – Anthony Arrigo

In recent weeks, given the political turmoil in the world, I’ve heard from a lot of people who are wondering how to calm their minds. It’s painful and unhelpful to be caught up in anxiety, anger, reactivity, despair, fear, and worry about the future. In addition, these kinds of emotions are what Buddhists call afflictive – that is, they are self-perpetuating and suck up a lot of our energy. Stewing in anxiety, for example, generally leads to more anxiety and exhaustion, not to solutions or relief.

Visuddhimagga (I, 55) - The “Elder” Mahā-Tissa

..It seems that as the Elder was on his way from Cetiyapabbata to Anurādhapura for alms, a certain daughter-in-law of a clan, who had 

quarrelled with her husband and had set out early from Anurādhapura had

dressed up and tricked out like a celestial nymph to go to her relatives’ 

home, saw him on the road, and being low-minded, she laughed a loud 

laugh. (Wondering) “What is that?”, the Elder looked up, and finding in the 

bones of her teeth the perception of foulness, he reached Arahatship. 

Hence it was said:

Austrian Buddhist Shares Her Experience of 12 Years Spent in Mountain Retreat

BD Dipananda Buddhistdoor Global 7 Apr 17

Tibetan lama named Kongma at Milarepa cave near Manang. From samulimansikka.com

Tara Choying Lhamo, an Austrian Buddhist who has been living in retreat for more than 20 years—12 of which were spend in Milarepa’s caves in Lapchi, Nepal—is now sharing her unique experience and insights with audiences in Australia and New Zealand.

The Otago Daily Times reports that Lhamo is now in New Zealand, following a 10-day tour of Australia. Last year, Lhamo shared her meditation experiences for the first time with an audience in London. Those who heard her story were deeply moved.

Katannu

“Friendship in Buddhism means that you have a guidance.”

Question:  Lord Buddha commented that “admirable friendship is actually the whole of the holy life”. However Ajahn’s teaching is that there is no form of friendship and ideally you have to be alone and you want to concentrate all your time & efforts in developing mindfulness. What is the context of Ajahn’s teaching?

Than Ajahn:  Friendship in Buddhist practice doesn’t mean that you hang out with somebody. Friendship in Buddhism means that you have a guidance, someone to guide you in your practice, that’s the best friendship like to have a Buddha as your friend, or to have your teacher as your friend but you don’t hang around with Buddha all the time, or hang around with your teacher all the time. You hang around with him when you need their guidance.

Peace Is Every Step

The roots of war are in the way we live our daily lives - 

the way we develop our industries, build up our society, 

and consume goods.

Thich Nhat Hanh,
Image: Pep Ventosa

Transmutation of Suffering: The Magic of Tonglen

January 27, 2017 by Lasara Firefox Allen 

Tonglen meditation is a healing practice. The word tonglen is Tibetan, and means “giving and taking.” It is also translated as “sending and receiving.” Rooted deeply in Tibetan Buddhist teachings of mindfulness and service, tonglen is designed to transmute and transcend suffering, not only on the personal level but on the global as well.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Seeking ease for ourselves is not always synonymous with working toward the liberation of all beings. But, in the case of tonglen, the transformation of discomfort is a path that allows for healing, transformation, and liberation on all levels. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said that he practices tonglen everyday. This is what he says of the practice; “Whether this meditation really helps others or not, it gives me peace of mind. Then I can be more effective, and the benefit is immense.”