Building concentration is like sharpening the sword that cuts off the head of delusion. On its own, concentration doesn’t get you anywhere. But concentration can make any meditation practice easier, sharper, and more effective. – Dr. Jay Michaelson, “Jhana: The…
Too long I was told that the spiritual path is dry and intellectual. That wisdom is cold. But I have seen with my own eyes that in the hands of great masters, wisdom is warm and full of humor. –…
Nature, earth, the world—whatever you call it—is not simply something I am on but something I am. It is not outside of me: it is me, and I am it. – Paul Kingsnorth, “The Witness”
The role of awareness is the gathering of data. . . . When we have enough data for the problem at hand, the solution will always come. – Sayadaw U Tejaniya, “Dissecting Anger in the Dharma Hall”
Beginning again and again is the actual practice, not a problem to be overcome so that one day we can come to the “real” meditation. – Sharon Salzberg, “How to Forgive: A Meditation”
When out of gratitude we use our candle to light other people’s candles, the whole room gets brighter. This is why we transfer merit to others. This kind of light is continuous and inexhaustible. – Master Sheng Yen, “Rich Generosity”
A sense of ease and wellbeing with the breath can do a lot more for you than any amount of status, material gain, praise, outside pleasures—any of the ways of the world. – Thanissaro Bhikkhu, “Less is More”
Everybody is looking for something that isn’t available. It’s worse than looking for a needle in a haystack; at least the needle is there, even though it is hard to find. But satisfaction and self are both delusions, so how…
To practice the way of Buddha means to completely live out this present moment—which is our whole life—here and now. – Kodo Sawaki Roshi, “To You”
A powerful mental shift takes place when we stop telling ourselves why something can’t happen. When we can envision a hoped-for future, we strengthen our belief that it is possible. – Joanna Macy, “Allegiance to Life”