(Contributed by Mr. Balasunder)
Enjoy the Present
(Contributed by Mr. Balasunder)
mindfulness
When the mind is free from all conditioning, then you will find that there comes the creativity of reality
Our problem is how to free the mind from all conditioning, not how to condition it better. Do you understand? Most of us are seeking a better conditioning. Continue reading
Does understanding come only when one is not comparing but is really paying attention?
If we can watch ourselves daily without justifying or condemning anything, just be aware of how we never think without judging, comparing, evaluating, then that very awareness is enough. Continue reading
if an aim is fixed, the mind is restful…
An elephant when free puts its trunk here and there and looks restless. If a stick is given to it the trunk holds it without being turned this way and that, as before. In just the same way, the mind is restless if it has no aim; if an aim is fixed, the mind is restful.
– Ramana Maharishi
Disease-Prone Beliefs
To ascertain our own disease proneness, we can look at the following questions:
Do I worry about my health, holding fear thoughts in mind about what might happen to me?
Do I get a secret feeling of fear, excitement, and danger when I hear about a new disease that is currently being reported and in vogue?
Do I spend time on constant checkups, reading about diseases, getting frightened by TV stories about them?
Am I interested in hearing about the diseases of famous people? Continue reading
20 Ways Sitting in Silence Can Completely Transform Your Life
“Silence is a source of great strength.” ~Lao Tzu
For over two years I spent one out of every four weeks in silence. At the time I was living at a Zen Monastery and every month we would have a week-long silent retreat.
During this retreat we sat meditation in silence, ate in silence, worked in silence, and only communicated through hand gestures and written notes.
At first living like this was hard, but over time I learned to grow to appreciate silence. By the time I left I learned that silence was my friend and teacher.
What did silence teach me?
1. Satisfaction
I used to think I needed to watch TV every night. But at monastery I went without and discovered I didn’t need it.
Silence taught me to be happy with less. Pick something that’s weighing you down and let it go. Your life will thank you.
2. Expression
When you can only talk by writing a note, you only say what’s important. Before the monastery I talked a lot but said little.
Silence taught me that a few simple words well spoken have more power than hours of chatter. Think of one simple thing you can say that would help someone feel better and say it.
3. Appreciation
Being able to speak makes life easy, but when I couldn’t talk I learned how much I relied on others.
Silence taught me to appreciate the value of relating to others. The next time you see your friends or family, try to really listen. Deep listening expresses deep appreciation.
4. Attention
Several times at my first retreat I thought my phone was vibrating. But then I would remember I didn’t have my phone. It showed me how my phone divided my attention.
Silence taught me how important it is to let go of distractions. The next time you are with someone you care about, try turning off your phone and putting it away. It will make paying attention easier.
5. Thoughts
I once sat a retreat next door to a construction project. What amazed me was how easily my thoughts drowned out the noise. I realized if my thoughts were this loud, I’d better make them as wise as possible.
Silence taught me the importance of shaping my thinking. Take time each day to notice your thoughts and let go of thoughts that don’t serve you.
(Contributed by Mr. Balasunder)
http://tinybuddha.com/blog/20-ways-sitting-silence-can-completely-transform-your-life
we come factory equipped for cooperation, compassion, and generosity..
There are four independent brain circuits that influence our lasting well-being, Davidson explained.
The first is “our ability to maintain positive states.” It makes sense that the ability to maintain positive states or positive emotions would directly impact one’s ability to experience happiness. These two great spiritual leaders were saying that the fastest way to this state is to start with love and compassion. Continue reading
Thought of the Week – 19th December 2016
Controlling others
The 4 Control Dramas
Almost all humans, because of their upbringing, manipulate for energy either aggressively (directly forcing people to pay attention to them), or passively (playing on people’s sympathy or curiosity to gain attention). Continue reading
Changed my ‘Perception of Perception’
A teacher teaching Maths to a six-year-old asked him, “If I give you one apple and one apple & one apple, how many apples will you have?”
With a few seconds the boy replied confidently, “Four!”
The dismayed teacher was expecting an effortless correct answer (three).
She was disappointed. “May be the child did not listen properly,” she thought.
She repeated, “pls listen carefully.
It is very simple. You will be able to do it right if you listen carefully.
If I give you one apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?”
The boy had seen the disappointment on his teacher’s face.
He calculated again on his fingers.
But within him he was also searching for the answer that will make his teacher happy.
This time hesitatingly he replied, “Four..”
The disappointment stayed on teacher’s face. Continue reading
ONE TUSK 