A Conundrum

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I find myself in a conundrum. What to write, what to say, what Sutta to quote or provide for download. My illness has forced me to leave this site for too long and I do not know where to begin again. I wish to continue but I have lost the momentum. This is something I must meditate on over the coming days. Part of the problem is the medication I am on affects my memory, so all the grandiose plans I had a month or two back have disappeared completely. I am, and always have been hopeless at taking notes. I use this widget on my tablet and that widget on my laptop, but half the problem I have always had is remembering to note down the ideas I get.

I think I would like to expand on the Sutta library. When all is said and done, it is pretty sparse, so I will be delving into my books to see what gems I may be able to publish (copyright free of course). But until I have done so, this site will probably remain somewhat dormant.

I would like to highlight the aggregates and the perfections. They are both pertinent to the layman and something we can, and should, all work on. Understanding the aggregates, and practicing the perfections will lead anyone to a calmer, more loving and caring existence. Something the world desperately needs. Compassion and “loving-kindness” are in short supply. The governments of the world seem completely devoid of such noble qualities, and a ground-swell of humanity equipped with such attributes would be no bad thing at all.

As the current Dalai Lama has stated in the past, ‘Peace’ is my religion, and it should be everybody’s. Extremism of any kind, whether religious or political has no place in this 21st Century world. We should be way beyond such archaic and barbaric practices. Children suffer and die from malnutrition just because their country does not have stocks of oil to export. Families are executed because they will not follow the enforced religion in their part of the world. Nuclear bombardment is a bargaining chip between nations.

Sometimes I think humanity, or at least our leaders, have not learnt a thing over the last 2000 years. War and oppression solve nothing, all they do is create more Dukkha for those at the receiving end of their actions. Any cast, creed or race just want to be able to give shelter, warmth and food for their loved ones, yet this is denied for so many, by so few, just for the sake of greed and power. Shame on those in power, and shame on those who support their actions. At least with Kamma, they will, at some point, experience the come back of their desires and actions. As will we all.

I apologize for the somewhat political nature of this post, it is rare that I feel like venting, but they do say you need to get things off your chest once in a while. I hope normal service will be resumed in the next week or two.

May ALL beings live without fear.

Aside

Apologies

My apologies for the recent lack of posts and updates, I was seriously ill last month and am currently convalescing. I plan to begin adding material again sometime next month, but until then, be well, be at peace, and be free from fear.

Regards
Andy

Why Theravada Buddhism is my Path.

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The Wheel of Dhamma

The Wheel of Dhamma

I came to Theravada Buddhism very slowly. Over the last 25 years or so I have investigated Wicca, the occult Western Tradition (The Golden Dawn etc.), I have investigated Aleister Crowley‘s Thelema, I have investigated Christianity quite heavily in many of its guises (both Protestant and Catholic), and I had a brief, yet wholly unproductive flirtation with Islam. I must admit the Koran, in English, is painfully unreadable but maybe that is just me.

 

Reiki

Reiki

Reiki

For some reason I never considered Buddhism as an avenue to look into until I came across the Japanese complementary therapy known as Reiki. Back in 2010 I was made redundant whilst diagnosed with severe depression and stress anxiety. Being made redundant did those conditions no favours and the medication I am on did not seem to be working too well so I started looking at the alternative market for something to try. My investigations lead me to Reiki. It is a Japanese form of hands on energy therapy that can be used to aid in the healing of almost anything. What surprised me was the founder, Mikao Usui, had Buddhist training and had used Buddhist techniques in developing his methods of assisting in the healing of various ills, including mental problems. Continue reading

Crossing the Flood

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Flood

Flood

A short and simple Sutta is now provided that teaches gentleness in your practice. Do not stop during difficulty, but do not strain at the leash. Progress is made by steady effort only.

This is the Ogha­taraṇa­sutta, the Sutta appears in the Samyutta Nikaya, and in English it is called ‘Crossing the Flood’.

 

Saṃyutta Nikāya 1.1

The Connected Discourses with Devatas

Crossing the Flood

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Savatthi in Jeta’s Grove, Anathapiṇḍika’s Park. Then, when the night had advanced, a certain devatā of stunning beauty, illuminating the entire Jeta’s Grove, approached the Blessed One. Having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One, stood to one side, and said to him:

“How, dear sir, did you cross the flood?”

“By not halting, friend, and by not straining I crossed the flood.”

“But how is it, dear sir, that by not halting and by not straining you crossed the flood?”

“When I came to a standstill, friend, then I sank; but when I struggled, then I got swept away. It is in this way, friend, that by not halting and by not straining I crossed the flood.”

The devatā:

“After a long time at last I see
A brahmin who is fully quenched,
Who by not halting, not straining,
Has crossed over attachment to the world.”

This is what that devatā said. The Teacher approved. Then that devatā, thinking, “The Teacher has approved of me,” paid homage to the Blessed One and, keeping him on the right, disappeared right there.

Source: Sutta Central

Meditation on the Breath: or The Mindfulness of Breathing

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Mindfulness of Breathing

Mindfulness of Breathing

Meditation on the Breath, or The Mindfulness of Breathing is a main stay of Buddhist meditation. It can be used in so many ways. Your mind calms, your body relaxes and you come to know peace in a way that is not usual in the West.

Breath meditation can be used anywhere, while sitting watching the T.V., whilst walking to the shops, even whilst standing in the queue in the shop. Whenever you have a chance to pause and take time out, breath meditation can come to your aid, and calm you down. It really isn’t complicated at all, as the following instructions will show. Just 15 minutes or half an hour a day, when you can grab it, can make an enormous impact on you day-to-day wellbeing. Continue reading