Category: Zen practices
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Mind Means Disturbance and A Subtle Zen Practice
A common misconception of Zen training is that we are seeking to rid ourselves of all thoughts and emotions. If we make this our goal then we will likely find ourselves disappointed. In the book, I Am That, Nisargadatta Maharaj says, “…there is no such thing as peace of mind. Mind means disturbance, restlessness itself…
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Not-doing: Progress Inaction. Addition Through Subtraction Part 2
Let’s continue our discussion concerning the power and wisdom of inaction or not–doing, as eastern philosophy often dubs it. We can expand on this if we consider the idea of progress and how we have traditionally viewed it. Typically, we think that, If I do this thing, it will lead to this thing happening, which…
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Not-doing In Action? Addition Through Subtraction Part 3
In our final discussion concerning the value of not-doing we touch upon one of the most important elements of our correct understanding of the teachings. We also introduce a practice that can begin to position us for genuine transformation. What we will discover is that a subtle action on a superior level (a shift in…
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A Simple, Basic Mindfulness Practice: The ABCs of Letting Go
Early on one of the most important things that we can learn to do is to become less reactive. Part of doing this involves learning to stand up to the ego and say, No. This basic mindfulness practice can help us to begin doing just that. We can start to ask ourselves, as often as…
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Observing and Accepting Meditation Technique: Sitting With an Itch
In today’s lesson I offer an amusing yet enlightening observing and accepting meditation technique that will help us to gain a deeper and more personal understanding of many of the other concepts that we have been discussing. We have been talking about self-control and willpower. It can be helpful if we can learn to quickly…
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Observing and Accepting Meditation Technique In Review: The Ego
Hopefully in the past day or two you have found an opportunity to try this simple observing and accepting meditation of sitting with an itch. Let’s take a few moments to consider what we might learn through this exercise and how it might help us with our overall practice going forward. The primary goal of…
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Practice of Letting Go: Looking Within
Over the past couple of weeks we have discussed the nature of our emotional activity. Today we will take much of what we have learned and incorporate it into a practice of letting go. A few lessons ago we considered the arising of our emotional state or underlying mood. We then saw how our imaginative/emotive…
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Letting Go of Illusion: An Invitation to the Present Moment
Every once in a while I experience a dream in which something bleak happens. It might involve personal tragedy or loss. It might simply involve something I’d prefer not to have to bother with. Generally, at some point, I become conscious of the fact that I am still asleep. Oh, I say to myself, I…
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Active Meditation Practice: The Stories We Tell Ourselves
In my last series of lessons I discussed the topic of letting go at great length. Today we are going to take that topic and merge it into our current discussion regarding active meditation practice. The crux of this lesson involves a practice that we can turn to in our leisure time. On the one…
