I really appreciate this analysis of illusion and suffering from a Sikh perspective by Guru Nanek: Man, says the Guru, is led astray by Maya, or illusion. The world itself is real enough; its unreality is mirrored only from the way in which man looks at it. Thus, when man begins to see God within himself, – Read More –
When Bankei held his seclusion-weeks of meditation, pupils from many parts of Japan came to attend. During one of these gatherings a pupil was caught stealing. The matter was reported to Bankei with the request that the culprit be expelled. Bankei ignored the case. Later the pupil was caught in a similar act, and again – Read More –
Rumi’s Sufi teachings focus on developing control. Consider this teaching: “Words , in themselves, are of no importance. You treat a visitor well, and speak a few kind words to him. He is happy. But if you treat another man to a few words of abuse, he will be hurt. Can a few words really mean happiness or – Read More –
A Zen Master lived the simplest kind of life in a little hut at the foot of a mountain. One evening, while he was away, a thief sneaked into the hut only to find there was nothing in it to steal. The Zen Master returned and found him. “You have come a long way to – Read More –
Nelson Mandela (1918-present: aged 94) was the first black President of South Africa (1994-1999) and a hugely inspiration figure. After serving 27 years in prison, he somehow managed to keep his sense of purpose (and humor later saying, “In my country, we go to prison first and then become President”!) to abolish apartheid and establish the – Read More –
1. Be Impeccable With Your Word Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using words to speak against yourself or gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love. 2. Don’t Take Anything Personally Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do – Read More –
Certain Thoughts Are Too Attractive To Just Let Pass By….
The personal sense of self is made up
of a whole bunch of thoughts
that attention has held on to.
Certain thoughts are too attractive
to just let pass by
and so attention holds on to them,
chews on them, elaborates on them.
And because attention has given itself
to a thought in this way,
the thought sticks around,
it becomes part of the personal self,
of who you think you are.
It arises
and you identify with it.
Because you identify with it,
it comes back
and you identify with it again
and in this way it strengthens.
It is constantly reinforcing itself in this way
as a personal sense of who you think you are.
There are sometimes those moments when tragedies seem to happen all at once in different parts of the world. Despite lives lost in casualties of war (at home and abroad) on a daily basis, there are some events that take over the media’s attention due to the sheer number of casualties or non-sensical nature of – Read More –
