Pure Mountain Tao

As the current life in us continuously passes, in this body, from childhood to youth to old age, we similarly passes into another form at death. An enlightened person is not bewildered by such a change. We live, we age, we get sick, and we die. This is the way of life. One journey ends, and another begins.

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When the mind is at peace,
the world too is at peace.
Nothing real, nothing absent.
Not holding on to reality,
not getting stuck in the void,
you are neither holy or wise, just
an ordinary fellow who has completed his work.

        -   Layman Pang-yun (740-808)
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Some times, people ask if they should or can use music during meditation. I believe the answer should be no. Meditation is about stillness and clearness of thought. When we listen to music, we have the tendency to place our focus on listening to the music, anticipating our favorite parts, silently humming along with the tune. This distracts from our meditation. Music is a good way to relax, but it should not be used during meditation.