The Pure Mountain Path

Those that have minds that are distracted by sensual pleasure and craving are trapped in a world of ego. Only by ridding oneself of the negative aspects of ego can one find peace. How? I recommend study and practice of whatever path you have chosen. Give it a sincere effort and you shall not be disappointed. If your path is another way than my friend, so be it. The important thing is that we get there, not on how we arrive.

————-

Find the eternal object of your quest

within your soul

Enough have you wandered during the

long period of your quest!

Dark and weary must have been the

ages of your searching in ignorance

and groping in helplessness;

At last when you turn your gaze

inward, suddenly you realize that the

bright light of faith and lasting truth

was shining around you.

With rapturous joy, you find the soul

of the universe, the eternal object of

your quest

Your searching mind at last

finds the object of the search within

your own heart

Your inner vision is illuminated by this

new realization

-Yajur Veda 32.11

Those that are unaware and/or confused do not seek out wisdom. They are self-centered and have no desire to seek a higher level of knowledge. As a result, they are trapped in samsara. Ironically, they do not sense this and instead look down upon the seeker of the way.

—————-

Clouds of white rush by

The brilliant blue sky

The wind chime whispers

-Anna C.

—————-

Prayer is the great healer. It can heal others and also ourselves. There is nothing like prayer to build up inner compassion and awareness. Conjuring up good thoughts (metta, in Buddhist terminology) about others and their situations and sincerely praying is like first aid for the mind. Even a mind that has been subject to years of negativity, cynicism, anger, and alike can be healed with devout prayer. The healing starts as soon as you start praying. Make it part of your everyday and one can soon feel the restoration of spirit happening.

Those who take refuge in a contemplative life can be freed from delusions and suffering. One can only be at peace with the universe if this is so. Stripping things down to the bare minimum is essential in discovering the truth. Everything else is opinion, speculation, and guesswork.

——————–

Young girl, barefoot with backpack

Walking down the wet street alone

Where will you sleep tonight?

-Scott D

—————–

Some see a person meditating alone and think of them as being selfish. Nothing could be farther from the truth. A person with physical ills seeks out medicine and is not thought of in the same manner. A person looking to strengthen the mind seeks out meditation as their ‘medicine’. It is through this cure that a person gains virtue, harmony, and compassion, thus making the world a better place. Is that selfish?

——————-

Hoo! Hoo!

Speaks the owl for it is late

Indeed, who am I?

-Julie H

———————-

Why Pray?

“There are about 45 years of data—I would say good, solid, lab-based, quantitative studies—that support the idea that one person’s intentions may influence another person’s physiology at a distance under well-controlled laboratory conditions.”
– Marilyn Schlitz, researcher

Even without laboratory conditions, prayer is effective in healing ourselves and I believe helping others.

Keep desiring what you cannot have and you will never be at peace. What will be, will be. What cannot, will not. Put such thoughts of unrequited desire behind you and move on. Longing for the unattainable is a foolish waste of time. You have what you need. Now use it.

—————–

In the rock garden

A cardinal hops about

While an ambulance siren moans

-Samantha M.

———————-

It has been said that praying for others is not the least you can do for someone. It is the most.

Often times we give great importance to matters that are not really important. If we do this, we are demonstrating a lack of understanding. Rebirth, past lives, etc. are exotic notions and a fun distraction to think about, but spending too much time on those subjects is not prudent. Learn to set your priorities. Realize what is important and what is not. How does what you plan to do or think about exist within your path to peace, your everyday life?

———————

(I have asked students to contribute some haiku to share. I hope you find their efforts enjoyable and perhaps thought provoking)

A flame in the trees

The leaves dance

Drops of water fall

-Samantha M.

————————-

Once again I remind you, do not let meditation become a grim affair. Sit by an open window, feel the wind, bring a hot cup of tea if you like. Too many rules and requirements produce a constipation in the spirit. The mind becomes obstructed with expectations and over-effort. An anxiety to ‘do it right’ clogs any real breakthrough.

————————

Prayer is a form of focusing the mind on the well being of oneself or on another. Praying creates in my opinion, good karma.

True perception only occurs when the mind is silent and not analyzing, judging, or babbling. That moment of bliss, moment of experience, is the moment of truth. What occurs afterward is tainted and tinted with opinion. For the moment to remain pure, we must remain above the realm of thinking.

——————

Walking is Zen,
Sitting, too, is Zen.
If I speak or am silent,
Tarry or hasten:
Everything, in its true nature,
Is stillness.

- Shodoka

——————–

Today I pray for peace

I pray for the disturbed to find it

The agitated to see it

The persecuted to be blessed with it

May those who suffer

All those with great pain

Feel peace overcome them

Like a cool waterfall

Washing away their hurt and disharmony

One who is devoted to the contemplative life does not waste time or energy in idle daydreams, chit-chat, or any type of wrong action. Instead mindfulness must be used at all times to keep the seeds of spiritual growth alive and thriving.————–

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, 
and the life of the candle will not be shortened. 
Happiness never decreases by being shared. 

Buddha

———————————

Meditation and prayer are the cornerstones of a contemplative life. Every opportunity, every chance to perform them should be taken advantage of. Meditating and praying and then falling back into the abyss of the sensually enslaved life is like taking two steps forward and then two steps back. One must keep the fire burning at all times to keep the spirit warm.

Confusion brings conflict and suffering into the mind. It becomes disorderly and is not easily controlled. Eliminate confusion by practicing a contemplative life and keeping on the path each moment. This will prevent chaos from occurring and keep you on the straight and narrow.

————————–

Although I try
to hold the single thought
of Buddha’s teaching in my heart,
I cannot help but hear
the many crickets’ voices calling as well.

-Izumi Shikibu 

—————————–

When we pray for a friend or send him positive energies it is quite easy to do. But when we can genuinely wish someone we do not care for wellbeing and pray for his happiness, we have accomplished self-purification and dissipation of ego, of mind poisons such as anger, hatred, and ignorance. Try this today my friends. Think of someone you do not particularly care for. Pray deeply for their happiness and contentment. Pray that they develop compassion and kindness for all. You can do this!

Do not desire status, victory, or pleasure. Live simply and well by following the precepts. Do this and peace and happiness shall be yours. Be like the mushroom that has no roots, seeds, or fruit.

————–

All beings by nature are Buddha,
as ice by nature is water;
apart from water there is no ice,
apart from beings no Buddha.

- Hakuin Zenki

————————

Prayer awakens compassion in us, a sense of good. A little prayer can accomplish a great deal. A great deal of prayer my friends, is the most powerful tool of all.