Archived Posts
Ever Deepening – April 19, 2012 Meditation
Ever Deepening Occasionally I am asked questions such as how long will it take me to become enlightened, or if I practice a certain length of time will I be enlightened. Usually these questions come from people not familiar with Buddhism, but sometimes they do come from practitioners. And if it isn’t a question similar…
In Present Lifetime – August 31, 2012 Meditation
In Present Lifetime From the perspective of the Lotus Sutra we believe that enlightenment is possible in this lifetime, in this moment. Yet to many people this just seems so difficult to believe, perhaps even impossible to believe. In the lifetime of the Buddha while it was true that some people were told they could…
Contemplating Disease – Cessation – Part 13b – January 15, 2019
When a child is born it is not normal that we say “Oh, the poor thing is going to die”, we don’t say to the parents, “I so sorry for the eventual death of your child.” Instead we naturally celebrate the life and birth of the child, even though those two previous statements are completely…
Five Implements of Skillful Means for Entry to the Dharma
Zeal, Vigor, Mindfulness, Discernment, Single-Mindedness These Five Implements were presented by Chih-i in his “Essentials for Practicing Calming and Insight and Dhyana Meditation” Zeal – First a person much possess the desire, the willingness to change something. Without this aspiring to change there is no initial cause for implementation. Vigor – Next a person must approach the task with effort, and a willingness to accomplish the task without letting up. Not being afraid to challenge…