Tag Archives: Buddhism

Finding equanimity and joy in giving, receiving, and letting go

By Paul | Published: October 17, 2009
Last night, during my weekly formal meditation practice with Portland Friends of the Dhamma, I took part in a revealing exercise in acceptance of the way things are. Next week Ajahn Thanissaro, abbot of Metta Forest Monastery in Southern California, will be teaching at Friends of the Dhamma. His topic will be on the importance [...]
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What to think, what to do?

By Paul | Published: September 25, 2009
I’ve spent considerable mental energy thinking about how people know what to do at any given moment to achieve what they want. I don’t know much at all about Donald Trump other than he is wealthy. I know also that he lost his wealth but apparently found it – under a rock, maybe. I single [...]
Posted in Belief, Buddhism, Eightfold Path | Also tagged , , | 7 Comments

Life is but a dream

By Paul | Published: September 22, 2009
A recurring dream-theme of mine is of trying to get away from something but being unable to move faster than a crawl. I need to run, but my legs are so heavy I must drag myself along, digging my fingernails into the pavement. What I’m trying to escape from (which doesn’t reveal itself) never catches [...]
Posted in Buddhism, Delusion, Fear, Nibbana, Nirvana | Also tagged , , | 2 Comments

Restlessness and remorse and the karma of lives past and present

By Paul | Published: September 11, 2009
Together, restlessness and remorse are the fourth of the five hindrances to meditation as well as to leading a happy life. Restlessness is a general sense of dissatisfaction with how things are. Feelings of restlessness can be very subtle or very intense. The result is a need to move, to do something. Remorse is a [...]
Posted in Buddhism, Change, Delusion, Desire, Dukkha, Impermanence | Also tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments