Gravitas is one of the virtues emphasized among ancient Romans. It means seriousness, responsibility, dignity, and so on. It is also the origin of the word gravity, one of the forces we articulate in the field of physics as we feel it physically in our everyday life as a sense of weight and heaviness. As … Continue reading Gravitas
Tag: #Mindfulness
The Elephant Rope
Have you heard the story of the elephant rope? It is one of the well-known anecdotes for a life lesson. And, interestingly, there are two different interpretations. One is for potential. The other is for mindfulness. Potential One day a traveler visited one of the rural villages where many elephants are for their daily works. … Continue reading The Elephant Rope
How Toxic We Are
In Buddhism, among various practices, well-known are these five precepts. By keeping them, the practitioners are supposed to achieve peace in their minds and lives: Abstention from killing living beingsAbstention from theftAbstention from sexual misconductAbstention from falsehoodAbstention from intoxication Each of them looks so common. Everyone knows that we should refrain from these ethical misconducts. … Continue reading How Toxic We Are
Festina Lente
When a cup of water is muddy, we have to put it down and wait for a while. It has to stay still as the dirty part would slowly sink into the bottom. Little by little, water gets transparent. And eventually, we could see a cup of clean water. It looks calm and serene. It … Continue reading Festina Lente
When You Walk, Walk
One time disciples asked the Buddha what could be the best practice to lead them to the complete peace of mind. They thought they would have to go through various challenges believing only such hardship could bring them to a supreme state. The Buddha’s answer, however, was counterintuitive. For example, one of the well-known Zen … Continue reading When You Walk, Walk
One Thing At A Time
Lao Tzu said: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. It is from chapter 64 of Tao Te Ching, and one of the three similar statements. All three go this way: A tree that fills a man’s embrace grows from a seedling.A tower nine stories high starts with one brick.A journey … Continue reading One Thing At A Time
Happiness is the Way
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
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