Lotus Path: Living the Lotus Sutra – Volume 1

The practice of Buddhism is about changing our lives deep at the core. Buddhism calls on us to examine the causes of our suffering in brutal honesty. After making this self-assessment we then take the next step and make the necessary changes so we can free ourselves from the cycle of suffering in ignorance. The essays in the book are short; usually only several hundred words. It is possible to read them quite quickly. That…

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Self-Care; Compassion – January 12, 214 Meditation (With Portuguese Translation)

Portuguese translation appears after English We talk all the time about compassion for others; it is one of many constants themes of Buddhist guidance. We also talk about compassion for ourselves, and of the two I think the self-compassion is perhaps the most challenging for people. It is interesting that we can treat our friends better than we treat ourselves, and we think that is somehow permissible or even to be admired. Self-compassion gets convoluted…

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Getting Back To It – January 5, 2014 Meditation

It is possible to make a case for Fall being the time to mark the beginning of one year and the end of an old one. The crops have grown and been harvested, the growing season is completed. The fall begins and we prepare ourselves for winter slow down, possibly even hibernation. Some scientists have made a claim that our bodies have a built-in rhythm that goes counter to our current Gregorian calendar making January…

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Overcoming Setback – January 4, 2014 Meditation

Numerous times in my life, and I am sure in yours too, I have experienced setbacks, or roadblocks or even dead-ends. There have been times when my best laid plans became seemingly impossible to complete. My first attempt at college was put to a stop because of lack of money and the Vietnam War. After my discharge from the Marine Corps finding a job was very difficult, some employers did not want to hire a…

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