The Limitless Sky of Pure Being.

This journey that we find ourselves upon is like floating through the limitless sky. Sometimes it is blue as the bluest eyes as far as one can see and other times there are amazing sights to see such as rainbows but the sky behind them remains the same. other times it is cloudy blocking out the sun but the sun is always there, just above the clouds.Sometimes it is black with little twinkling stars that shine at us as if especially for us but they do not belong to anyone or anything, they just are....

Read More

Healing Our Environment and Ourselves.

In one sitting meditation, when I focused my attention on my heart--breathing in, I am aware of my heart, breathing out, I smile to my heart--suddenly I realized that this is not the only heart that I have. I have many other hearts. Suppose that I look at the sun in the sky. I know that it is also another heart of mine. If this heart failed I would die right away. But if the other heart, the sun, explodes or stops functioning as the sun, I would also die right away.~Thich Nhat Hanh, The Mindfulness...

Read More

Peacefulness.

Peaceful be heaven, peaceful the earth, peaceful the broad space between. Peaceful for us be the running waters, peaceful the plants and herbs! Peaceful to us be the signs of the future, peaceful what is done and undone, peaceful to us be what is and what will be. May all to us be gracious!-Atharva Veda 19.9PHOTO: My wife took this picture in 2003. This lake is up in the tall mountains north of us here in Colorado where we backpack into. It's deep into the forests and high into the mountains. You...

Read More

Don't Forget Burma. Plus, Announcing the "Free Burma" T-Shirt Recipient.

Perhaps the greatest chance for change in Burma lies with the very military that oppressed the non-violent protests of monks and civilians.The probability of a Burmese soldier also being a Buddhist is great considering an over-whelming majority of Burmese citizens follow the religion. This means that probably most of these soldiers know that in their hearts that their violent actions not only create suffering amongst the people but within themselves as well and perhaps more importantly their family...

Read More

Animal Cruelty. Enough is Enough.

WARNING: If you are sensitive to any description of animal abuse then you might not want to read this post.If you don't know by now, there has been a massive meat recall here in America because of treatment of sick and crippled cows. There was an undercover investigation at a slaughter house including hidden video which showed horrific and inexcusable treatment. I didn't want to post the video here on this blog but if you really want to see this disgusting video then click here. I warn you though...

Read More

Western Influenced Buddhism.

Today’s post is a continuation of this post (click here to read). I think many would agree with me that words/labels/symbols are limited in their reach but still necessary to navigate this samsara that we find ourselves within. Yet descriptors can sometimes help us understand each other and therefore increase our realization of the Oneness of Consciousness. It is within those parameters that I return to one of my favorite topics, the controversial subject of Western Buddhism. I am distancing...

Read More

Buddhism is Watering the Western Cultures like Rain Waters a Field of Flowers.

The Buddha compares his teaching to the rainfall that descends without discrimination on the earth. That this rain causes some seeds to grow into flowers and some into great trees implies no differentiation in the rain but rather is due to the capacities of the seeds that it nurtures. Thus, the teaching of the Buddha is of a single flavor but benefits beings in a variety of ways according to their capacity.- Donald S. Lopez, Jr., Buddhism in PracticeThere are many that criticize and condemn...

Read More

Introducing Whiplash The Cowboy Monkey.

I'm shutting this post down, erasing the comments, locking it and throwing away the key. I deleted the video.I'm done with it.I was just trying to brighten people's day and instead I apparently insulted some who watched the video. I shed many tears over some of the things that were said about me here and on other posts by Christian. So I give up but I still feel like it's o.k. to defend myself when I'm being attacked by a bully like Christian. I'm hurt but I'll get over it. So for the sake of keeping this blog free from bitter arguments I'm moving on.Thank-you to the others for constructive criticism...

Read More

Yes We Can!!!

Check out this moving video of a Barack Obama speech set to music. It gives me chills of inspiration and hope for a new day. And right now in my life I need to believe in something hopef...

Read More

Like a Man Floating in Water.

Like a man floating in waterWho dies of thirst, afraid of drowning:So are those who are learnedWho do not apply the teaching.Like a person skilled in medicineWho cant cure his own disease:So are those who are learnedWho do not apply the teaching.Like a deaf musicianWho pleases others, not hearing himself:So are those who are learnedWho do not apply the teaching.Like someone on a cornerSaying all kinds of fine things,While having no real inner virtueSo are those who dont practice.--The Flower...

Read More

Meditation Posture.

When I was first studying Buddhism I was daunted by meditation because I read so much about having the right posture, sitting in the "correct fashion." I read about the Full Lotus position the Half-Lotus position and the Burmese position. I was over-whelmed by the detailed nature of meditation positions and I was worried that I was going to "make a mistake" I read about teachers who would hit you on your head or back if your posture didn't adhere to the complicated "rules."I was so intimidated...

Read More