by Kimberly Graham
(Kimberly Graham wrote this poem after participating in a day-long meditation retreat with the Des Moines Meditation and Mindfulness group. It is beautiful expression of eating a meal mindfully and experiencing insight into the selfless, interdependent nature of all physical and mental phenomena.)
I Tasted a Cloud
by Kimberly Graham
Today I received a most amazing gift.
I tasted a cloud in my vegetable soup.
The cloud, which made the rain,
which fell on the rich brown fields,
which watered the seeds,
which became the meal,
I brought to my lips today.
Today I received a most amazing gift.
I tasted the sun in my bread.
The sun, which shone brightly onto the rich brown fields,
which warmed the seeds,
which became the manna,
I fed to my body today.
Today I received a most amazing gift.
I tasted the tears in my food.
The tears, which fell poignantly onto the rich brown fields,
and joined rivers of sorrow over time,
and flowed into the ocean,
in which I washed myself today.
Today I received a most amazing gift.
I tasted the joy in my repast.
Joy, which burst through the sadness,
drying the rich brown fields,
balancing the sorrow over time,
that living things could grow,
and nourish at this blessed table.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Types of Meditation and Buddhist Traditions
by Charles Day
wwwdesmoinesmeditation.org
An email from a meditator asked me to elaborate on what I mean when I say my primary orientation is Vipassana and Theravada Buddhism. Vipassana refers to the type of meditation I practice (insight vs tranquility meditation) and Theravada refers to the specific tradition within Buddhism that I favor (Theravada vs Mahayana traditions). Vipassana means insight and does not refer to a branch or tradition but rather to what is emphasized as the focus and purpose of meditation, i.e., insight into the nature of reality as unsatisfactory, impermanent, and selfless. Tranquility or samatha meditation emphasizes relaxation, concentration, and onepointedness. Both are practiced in all traditions, and the benefits of both can be attained using the same method. They are complementary, and typically insight follows tranquility, though most people meditate primarily for the relaxation benefits.
There are several ways of categorizing the various traditions within Buddhism. The earliest tradition, still predominate in Southeast Asia today, is the Theravada or, as it is also called, the Hinayana (lesser vehicle) Tradition. Calling it the “lesser vehicle” was a reference to its emphasis on attaining enlightenment by the individual through monastic practices, whereas the later Mahayana (greater vehicle) traditions emphasized the importance of enlightening all beings. The Theravada tradition also emphasizes Buddha's original teachings.
Mahayana (greater vehicle) Buddhism developed from its earlier beginnings into the Chan or Zen (as it is called in Japan) tradition when Bodhidharma went from India to China in the sixth century. And it later developed into the Vajrayana or Tibetan tradition when Padmasambhava took the teachings to Tibet in the eighth century. There are other Mahayana traditions, including the Pure Land Buddhist tradition, but Zen and Tibetan Buddhism are presently the ones Westerners are most familiar with. As indicated, Mahayana Buddhism is called the greater vehicle because it shifted the emphasis from enlightenment of the individual to the enlightenment of everyone, as reflected in its Bodhisattva Vow to save or enlighten all other beings before one attains one's own full enlightenment. The Tibetan, Zen, and other Mahayana traditions also respect the lineage and teachings of all of the recognized enlightened masters in their traditions who came after Buddha.
I've presented only one of several ways of categorizing different traditions within Buddhism. Having done retreats with teachers from various traditions, I've observed that many Western teachers, while identifying with a particular tradition, study other traditions and borrow from them in their teachings, though the language and concepts they use and the way ideas are framed reflect the emphases of their own specific tradition. Historically, the different traditions developed as a reflection of the Buddhist teachings and the culture in which they were introduced. It is only in the last few decades that all forms of Buddhism have spread to all parts of the world and are now readily available to everyone, allowing individuals to be eclectic, as I consider myself, or to choose to specialize exclusively in the specific tradition whose rites, rituals, and practices they resonate best with. It should be remembered, however, as is often pointed out by the mystics of all spiritual traditions, that all paths lead to the same goal, to the same mountaintop.
wwwdesmoinesmeditation.org
An email from a meditator asked me to elaborate on what I mean when I say my primary orientation is Vipassana and Theravada Buddhism. Vipassana refers to the type of meditation I practice (insight vs tranquility meditation) and Theravada refers to the specific tradition within Buddhism that I favor (Theravada vs Mahayana traditions). Vipassana means insight and does not refer to a branch or tradition but rather to what is emphasized as the focus and purpose of meditation, i.e., insight into the nature of reality as unsatisfactory, impermanent, and selfless. Tranquility or samatha meditation emphasizes relaxation, concentration, and onepointedness. Both are practiced in all traditions, and the benefits of both can be attained using the same method. They are complementary, and typically insight follows tranquility, though most people meditate primarily for the relaxation benefits.
There are several ways of categorizing the various traditions within Buddhism. The earliest tradition, still predominate in Southeast Asia today, is the Theravada or, as it is also called, the Hinayana (lesser vehicle) Tradition. Calling it the “lesser vehicle” was a reference to its emphasis on attaining enlightenment by the individual through monastic practices, whereas the later Mahayana (greater vehicle) traditions emphasized the importance of enlightening all beings. The Theravada tradition also emphasizes Buddha's original teachings.
Mahayana (greater vehicle) Buddhism developed from its earlier beginnings into the Chan or Zen (as it is called in Japan) tradition when Bodhidharma went from India to China in the sixth century. And it later developed into the Vajrayana or Tibetan tradition when Padmasambhava took the teachings to Tibet in the eighth century. There are other Mahayana traditions, including the Pure Land Buddhist tradition, but Zen and Tibetan Buddhism are presently the ones Westerners are most familiar with. As indicated, Mahayana Buddhism is called the greater vehicle because it shifted the emphasis from enlightenment of the individual to the enlightenment of everyone, as reflected in its Bodhisattva Vow to save or enlighten all other beings before one attains one's own full enlightenment. The Tibetan, Zen, and other Mahayana traditions also respect the lineage and teachings of all of the recognized enlightened masters in their traditions who came after Buddha.
I've presented only one of several ways of categorizing different traditions within Buddhism. Having done retreats with teachers from various traditions, I've observed that many Western teachers, while identifying with a particular tradition, study other traditions and borrow from them in their teachings, though the language and concepts they use and the way ideas are framed reflect the emphases of their own specific tradition. Historically, the different traditions developed as a reflection of the Buddhist teachings and the culture in which they were introduced. It is only in the last few decades that all forms of Buddhism have spread to all parts of the world and are now readily available to everyone, allowing individuals to be eclectic, as I consider myself, or to choose to specialize exclusively in the specific tradition whose rites, rituals, and practices they resonate best with. It should be remembered, however, as is often pointed out by the mystics of all spiritual traditions, that all paths lead to the same goal, to the same mountaintop.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Living In the Kingdom of Heaven Now
by Charles Day
www.desmoinesmeditation.org
Presented to an Interfaith Book Group August 4, 2008
We’ve read three books now which deal with a contemporary interpretation or reinterpretation of the teachings of Jesus, the New Testament, and Christianity.
These books are "Mysticism for Modern Times" by Willigis Jager, "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle, and "The God of Jesus: The Historical Jesus and the Search for Meaning" by Steven Patterson. And I’m presuming our next book, "The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith" by Marcus Borg, will be similar.
Jager is a German Benedictine Catholic monk who was influenced by his study of Zen Buddhism in Japan for six years. Patterson is an American Protestant theologian, a member of the Jesus Seminar and a scholar of the Gospel of Thomas. And Tolle, who has lived and taught in several countries, might be called a generic spiritual philosopher, influenced by his study of all the religious traditions in what was an effort to understand a radical enlightenment or mystical experience he had following years of depression.
This is definitely an intercultural and interfaith group of authors who, I think, offer us a radically different but quite similar interpretation of the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament. Perhaps it is a naive oversimplification, but I think they have independently concluded that the primary message of Jesus was simply:
The kingdom of heaven is within
The kingdom of heaven is without
God is within, God is without, God is everywhere, God is all of it, There is nothing but God
And, this is the zinger: We just don’t realize it!
In his book, "Thou Art That: Transforming Religious Metaphor,"
Joseph Campbell says, “In the Gospel of Thomas (Saying 113) Jesus’ disciples ask him, ‘When will the Kingdom come?’ He replies, ‘It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying 'Here it is' or 'There it is.' Rather, the Kingdom of the Father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it.’"
“Not seeing it,” Campbell says, “we live in the world as though it were not the Kingdom. If you see that the Kingdom of the Father is spread upon the earth while others do not see it, the End of the World has come for you, for the world as it was for you has indeed ended. You are not to interpret the End of the World concretely.”
Campbell also says, “In addition to being spread upon the earth around you, the Kingdom of God is within you.” He is referring to Luke 17:20 -21, “And being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God cometh, Jesus answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo, here or there! for Lo, the kingdom of God is within you.’"
The message that God is within, without, and everywhere, that God is everything, and there is nothing that is not God, is the metaphysical and mystical message that Jesus was trying to convey. This interpretation does not diminish in any way the moral and ethical teachings of the Old and New Testaments. Indeed, it provides the underlying foundation and rationale for them..... (continued - read the rest of this essay by clicking below)
Click here to read and download this complete essay
www.desmoinesmeditation.org
Presented to an Interfaith Book Group August 4, 2008
We’ve read three books now which deal with a contemporary interpretation or reinterpretation of the teachings of Jesus, the New Testament, and Christianity.
These books are "Mysticism for Modern Times" by Willigis Jager, "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle, and "The God of Jesus: The Historical Jesus and the Search for Meaning" by Steven Patterson. And I’m presuming our next book, "The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith" by Marcus Borg, will be similar.
Jager is a German Benedictine Catholic monk who was influenced by his study of Zen Buddhism in Japan for six years. Patterson is an American Protestant theologian, a member of the Jesus Seminar and a scholar of the Gospel of Thomas. And Tolle, who has lived and taught in several countries, might be called a generic spiritual philosopher, influenced by his study of all the religious traditions in what was an effort to understand a radical enlightenment or mystical experience he had following years of depression.
This is definitely an intercultural and interfaith group of authors who, I think, offer us a radically different but quite similar interpretation of the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament. Perhaps it is a naive oversimplification, but I think they have independently concluded that the primary message of Jesus was simply:
The kingdom of heaven is within
The kingdom of heaven is without
God is within, God is without, God is everywhere, God is all of it, There is nothing but God
And, this is the zinger: We just don’t realize it!
In his book, "Thou Art That: Transforming Religious Metaphor,"
Joseph Campbell says, “In the Gospel of Thomas (Saying 113) Jesus’ disciples ask him, ‘When will the Kingdom come?’ He replies, ‘It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying 'Here it is' or 'There it is.' Rather, the Kingdom of the Father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it.’"
“Not seeing it,” Campbell says, “we live in the world as though it were not the Kingdom. If you see that the Kingdom of the Father is spread upon the earth while others do not see it, the End of the World has come for you, for the world as it was for you has indeed ended. You are not to interpret the End of the World concretely.”
Campbell also says, “In addition to being spread upon the earth around you, the Kingdom of God is within you.” He is referring to Luke 17:20 -21, “And being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God cometh, Jesus answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo, here or there! for Lo, the kingdom of God is within you.’"
The message that God is within, without, and everywhere, that God is everything, and there is nothing that is not God, is the metaphysical and mystical message that Jesus was trying to convey. This interpretation does not diminish in any way the moral and ethical teachings of the Old and New Testaments. Indeed, it provides the underlying foundation and rationale for them..... (continued - read the rest of this essay by clicking below)
Click here to read and download this complete essay
Friday, September 26, 2008
Meditation and Mindfulness Practices
by Charles Day
www.desmoinesmeditation.org
Sitting Meditation: Sit in a stable and comfortable position with the back, neck, and head straight. Close your eyes and focus your attention on the changing sensations of breathing, as experienced within and around the rim of the nose or in the rising and falling of the abdomen or chest. Observe each in-breath and out-breath in your chosen area as long as possible. When your attention wanders to sounds, thoughts, feelings, or sensations, which often happens, just gently let go of them and return to the breath. (See How to Meditate handout.)
Walking Meditation: While walking normally focus your attention on the sensations felt in each foot as you place it on the ground or on the breath or coordinate both. Or pick a path several feet long, and walk slowly enough to observe sensations in the heel, ball, toes, ankle, and leg when lifting, moving, and placing each foot, in standing briefly at the path's end, and in turning slowly around. Return the attention to the sensations when it wanders.
Mindfulness Practices Anytime During the Day: Observe your breath while waiting for an appointment, in line, sitting on the toilet, waiting for a stop light to change, walking to your car, before answering the phone, or doing routine work, etc. Or sit quietly and observe the breath for just one minute occasionally. Or mindfully attend to the moment-to-moment sensory experiences while eating, washing dishes, dressing, showering, walking, etc.
Meal Meditation: “This food is the gift of the whole universe: the earth, sun, rain, and much loving work. May I live and eat with mindfulness and gratitude. May I think and act in positive ways and overcome negative feelings. May I eat only food that nourishes me and prevents illness. May I accept this food in order to experience understanding and love.” (Reommended by Thich Nhat Hanh)
*Lovingkindness Meditation: Repeat one or more of these phrases whenever you like:
May I be well. May I be well, happy, peaceful, and harmonious.
May I be happy. May I be safe and protected from inner and outer harm.
May I be peaceful. May I live in peace and harmony with all beings.
May I be safe. May I experience lovingkindness and compassion.
*Compassion Meditation: Repeat one or more of these phrases whenever you like:
May I be free from suffering. May I be healed and free of pain.
May I be physically healthy. May I accept inevitable sickness and problems.
May I be emotionally healthy. May I be at ease with all that happens in life.
**Direct lovingkindness and compassion to others by substituting for "I," the name of a person or group, e.g., family, friends, teacher, difficult persons, the sick, homeless, hungry, oppressed, imprisoned, or all beings. Make up your own phrases specific to a person, group, or situation. Visualize in your heart the recipient(s) of your phrases. Do this as part of a sitting, walking, or independent meditation. Return your attention to the phrases when the mind wanders.
Click here to download this handout written by Charlie Day.
www.desmoinesmeditation.org
Sitting Meditation: Sit in a stable and comfortable position with the back, neck, and head straight. Close your eyes and focus your attention on the changing sensations of breathing, as experienced within and around the rim of the nose or in the rising and falling of the abdomen or chest. Observe each in-breath and out-breath in your chosen area as long as possible. When your attention wanders to sounds, thoughts, feelings, or sensations, which often happens, just gently let go of them and return to the breath. (See How to Meditate handout.)
Walking Meditation: While walking normally focus your attention on the sensations felt in each foot as you place it on the ground or on the breath or coordinate both. Or pick a path several feet long, and walk slowly enough to observe sensations in the heel, ball, toes, ankle, and leg when lifting, moving, and placing each foot, in standing briefly at the path's end, and in turning slowly around. Return the attention to the sensations when it wanders.
Mindfulness Practices Anytime During the Day: Observe your breath while waiting for an appointment, in line, sitting on the toilet, waiting for a stop light to change, walking to your car, before answering the phone, or doing routine work, etc. Or sit quietly and observe the breath for just one minute occasionally. Or mindfully attend to the moment-to-moment sensory experiences while eating, washing dishes, dressing, showering, walking, etc.
Meal Meditation: “This food is the gift of the whole universe: the earth, sun, rain, and much loving work. May I live and eat with mindfulness and gratitude. May I think and act in positive ways and overcome negative feelings. May I eat only food that nourishes me and prevents illness. May I accept this food in order to experience understanding and love.” (Reommended by Thich Nhat Hanh)
*Lovingkindness Meditation: Repeat one or more of these phrases whenever you like:
May I be well. May I be well, happy, peaceful, and harmonious.
May I be happy. May I be safe and protected from inner and outer harm.
May I be peaceful. May I live in peace and harmony with all beings.
May I be safe. May I experience lovingkindness and compassion.
*Compassion Meditation: Repeat one or more of these phrases whenever you like:
May I be free from suffering. May I be healed and free of pain.
May I be physically healthy. May I accept inevitable sickness and problems.
May I be emotionally healthy. May I be at ease with all that happens in life.
**Direct lovingkindness and compassion to others by substituting for "I," the name of a person or group, e.g., family, friends, teacher, difficult persons, the sick, homeless, hungry, oppressed, imprisoned, or all beings. Make up your own phrases specific to a person, group, or situation. Visualize in your heart the recipient(s) of your phrases. Do this as part of a sitting, walking, or independent meditation. Return your attention to the phrases when the mind wanders.
Click here to download this handout written by Charlie Day.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
How to Meditate
by Charles Day
www.desmoinesmeditation.com
Meditation helps you think, speak, and act more effectively and joyfully by training the mind to focus and to let go of unwanted and unnecessary thoughts, feelings, and body sensations. It is used to relax, reduce stress, manage pain, and promote personal and spiritual growth. Scientific research consistently shows it benefits (1) physical and psychological health, (2) relationships with family and others, (3) job performance and satisfaction, (4) academic grades and intelligence scores, (5) artistic, creative, and athletic skills, and (6) self-confidence, happiness, and peace. It also benefits but is not a substitute for therapy. The technique of observing the breath is used in all religions
*Sit comfortably in a chair or on the floor, and keep your head, neck, and back straight to assist in body relaxation, ease of breathing, and staying alert while relaxed.
*Close your eyes and focus your attention on the sensations of breath experienced in and around the rim of your nose or, if you prefer, in the rising and falling of the abdomen or chest. Breathe naturally and observe the changing sensations of each in-breath and each out-breath in your chosen area for as long as possible.
*When your attention wanders to sounds, thoughts, feelings, images, or other body sensations, gently let go of them and return your attention to your breathing.
*When the time you allow for meditation has passed, stop focusing on the breath and wait thirty seconds or more before slowly opening your eyes and returning to ordinary activity. Open your eyes slightly to check the time or use a quiet timer or alarm. _______________________________
*Start by meditating 15, 20, or up to 60 minutes once or twice daily. Or meditate for only a few minutes whenever you find the time. Or meditate just to relax when sick, tired, or stressed. Establishing a regular practice may take awhile.
*Decide how long each meditation will be before beginning it to keep the mind from thinking about time or reacting to what comes up by stopping the meditation.
*If feeling the actual physical sensations of breath is difficult, just be aware of breathing in and breathing out while keeping the attention on the chosen area.
*Sounds, thoughts, feelings, drowsiness, restlessness, and doubts about the value of meditation are not problems. Just let go of them and return to the breath. Just as the heart beats, the mind thinks, and so it wanders, at times often or for long periods.
*It’s OK if thoughts float like clouds in the background if the focus stays on the breath.
*Other effective meditations use as a focus mentally repeating words (e.g., “relaxing,” “letting go” or sacred words), prayer, counting breaths, body sensations, imagery, sounds, music, chanting, slow specific movements (e.g., Tai Chi or Qi Gong), etc.
*Simply observing and returning to the breath, while sitting comfortably, minimizes physical and mental activity and trains the mind to focus and to let go of negative and distracting thoughts, feelings, and sensations. It is perhaps the oldest, most popular meditation used today to promote psychological and spiritual happiness and peace.
Click here to download this handout written by Charlie Day.
www.desmoinesmeditation.com
Meditation helps you think, speak, and act more effectively and joyfully by training the mind to focus and to let go of unwanted and unnecessary thoughts, feelings, and body sensations. It is used to relax, reduce stress, manage pain, and promote personal and spiritual growth. Scientific research consistently shows it benefits (1) physical and psychological health, (2) relationships with family and others, (3) job performance and satisfaction, (4) academic grades and intelligence scores, (5) artistic, creative, and athletic skills, and (6) self-confidence, happiness, and peace. It also benefits but is not a substitute for therapy. The technique of observing the breath is used in all religions
*Sit comfortably in a chair or on the floor, and keep your head, neck, and back straight to assist in body relaxation, ease of breathing, and staying alert while relaxed.
*Close your eyes and focus your attention on the sensations of breath experienced in and around the rim of your nose or, if you prefer, in the rising and falling of the abdomen or chest. Breathe naturally and observe the changing sensations of each in-breath and each out-breath in your chosen area for as long as possible.
*When your attention wanders to sounds, thoughts, feelings, images, or other body sensations, gently let go of them and return your attention to your breathing.
*When the time you allow for meditation has passed, stop focusing on the breath and wait thirty seconds or more before slowly opening your eyes and returning to ordinary activity. Open your eyes slightly to check the time or use a quiet timer or alarm. _______________________________
*Start by meditating 15, 20, or up to 60 minutes once or twice daily. Or meditate for only a few minutes whenever you find the time. Or meditate just to relax when sick, tired, or stressed. Establishing a regular practice may take awhile.
*Decide how long each meditation will be before beginning it to keep the mind from thinking about time or reacting to what comes up by stopping the meditation.
*If feeling the actual physical sensations of breath is difficult, just be aware of breathing in and breathing out while keeping the attention on the chosen area.
*Sounds, thoughts, feelings, drowsiness, restlessness, and doubts about the value of meditation are not problems. Just let go of them and return to the breath. Just as the heart beats, the mind thinks, and so it wanders, at times often or for long periods.
*It’s OK if thoughts float like clouds in the background if the focus stays on the breath.
*Other effective meditations use as a focus mentally repeating words (e.g., “relaxing,” “letting go” or sacred words), prayer, counting breaths, body sensations, imagery, sounds, music, chanting, slow specific movements (e.g., Tai Chi or Qi Gong), etc.
*Simply observing and returning to the breath, while sitting comfortably, minimizes physical and mental activity and trains the mind to focus and to let go of negative and distracting thoughts, feelings, and sensations. It is perhaps the oldest, most popular meditation used today to promote psychological and spiritual happiness and peace.
Click here to download this handout written by Charlie Day.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
On Accepting What Is
by Charlie Day
www.desmoinesmeditation.org
This talk was prompted by an email exchange with a friend from the West Coast who is not a meditator but knows of my interest in meditation and Buddhism. The email ended with the statement: "I am juggling so many things these days that they overlap - give me some Buddhist inspiration so I can get this all done without losing my mind!"www.desmoinesmeditation.org
My response to him was: "You asked for it, so here goes. ‘What is, is’. It's always been that way and it will always be that way. Buddha said that suffering, dissatisfaction, frustration, upset, stress or whatever you want to call any negative experience is caused by "wanting it to be different than the way it is."
Accepting that what is, is, does not mean approving of what happens or being passive, indifferent, or insensitive to the reality of the need for action or change. It means accepting the way it is without reacting negatively. It means letting go of any negative reactions that may arise so that one's energy is not wasted in emotional reactivity to what can't be changed, since it's already happened, or worrying about a future that has not yet arrived. It means using that energy more effectively and efficiently in making any changes that are possible and beneficial.....(continued)
Click here to read and download this complete talk.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Meditation: A Practice?
Psychologist, author and teacher Kay Goldstein offers an answer to the question of why meditation is called a practice. She writes:
We are cultivating our inner self, tending to the weeds and fertilizing the plant with our loving intention. Meditation requires attention, nurture, dedication and certainly a measure of faith. While some results are both measurable (by science) and felt tangibly by regular meditators, it is often only in retrospect that we see and understand the growth of our consciousness, the changes in our actions.Read the rest of her thoughts in The Huffington Post blog's Living section.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Noticing
Being mindful in your daily life has many advantages. I was reminded of this in a practical way recently when reading the transcript of a dialogue between two prominent designers on the blog of the AIGA, a professional association for design. They discuss the importance of being aware and the advantages of tapping into your “super-noticing power” in practicing design and specifically in user research.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
