Thich Nhat Hanh’s well-known quote is this: There is no way to happiness; happiness is the way. We tend to believe that the ideal world is somewhere far away from here and now. Our life is a long path to reach this special goal. As far as the Hero’s Journey is concerned, this perspective is … Continue reading Happiness is the Way
Tag: #Meditation
Breathing, the Third Eye
There are various kinds of meditation in Buddhism. Well-known is a sitting meditation called Zazen (座禅) in Japanese. Sitting straight, we focus on subtle movements of breathing in and out, noticing our diaphragm. Traditionally, we call this breathing technique Zuisokukan (随息観). Zui (随) means to follow. Soku (息) for breathing, and Kan (観) for observing … Continue reading Breathing, the Third Eye
Wind Blows, Water Flows
The Eightfold Path has eight practices. These are Right View, Right Resolve, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. And the last two practices are more for meditation. Right Mindfulness is well-known. So-called mindfulness meditation has become part of the mainstream practice for stress management and quality of life. … Continue reading Wind Blows, Water Flows
Zen Minimalism
Among various Buddhism teachings, Zen is quite minimalistic. It tries to return to the source, which is not necessarily fundamental but uniquely radical. Traditionally, Bodhidharma, an Indian Buddhist monk, transmitted Zen (Chan) teachings to China during the fifth or sixth century. He is known as Daruma (達磨) in Japan with this popularized doll. His way … Continue reading Zen Minimalism
The Five Precepts
In Buddhism, there are five precepts that people are supposed to observe. There are a lot more for monks and serious practitioners. But in general, these five precepts could be the basis. There are various ways of sayings from the ancient Pali canons to Sanskrit versions to Chinese ones, and more. In English, we could … Continue reading The Five Precepts
Like Water, Like a Rock
The Noble Eightfold Path can be divided into three divisions. The first division covers the right view and right resolve, which could be how we see the world and ourselves. The second is for the right speech, right action, and right livelihood, which could be our applications for ethical virtues. And the third is for … Continue reading Like Water, Like a Rock
Right Flow
There is a moment when we forget ourselves — both seer and seen become one. We no longer sense ourselves. There is one pure experience. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi calls it flow. Such no-dual state was often well-known in the religious, spiritual, meditative experience. Csikszentmihalyi has expanded this scope and articulated it well. It could happen quite often … Continue reading Right Flow
