Category Archives: Teachings

Out and About, Overcome Difficulties, Teachings

Learning From Experience

July 19, 2009 Mugo Leave a comment

I was driving a friend of my wife’s to a hospital fifty miles away. It was a thunder, lightning and rain Summer’s night. At one point I had to almost go off road to get around a large tree that had blown down on to the road. After a few more miles I suddenly saw two cows next to my window and then saw a bunch of them ahead of me. I slammed on the brakes and to my horror we plowed right into a group of them, a dozen or so filled the road way. I felt an impact and the hood of my truck folded up into a tent shape and all I could see was a calf walking toward the edge of the road dragging a broken leg.

Contemplative Spaces post: Driving

Contemplative Spaces, with ace content, is a relative new blog written by a chap I know through my work within the OBC. He lives in rural Washington State with his wife. From time to time Helmut has agreed to make a guest appearance here on Jade.

Daily Life, Information, Teachings

Giving Expression

July 18, 2009 Mugo 1 Comment

Behind the scenes much has been happening. Emails back and forth. Phone calls. Words of encouragement and some cajoling too. Fingers have been typing, minds have been exercised. Hearts are opening like flowers.

Very soon there will be a tab under the banner image which will read Contributors. Click on that and you will meet people, initially two and later more, who I have asked to write for Jade.

This is an experiment, I’ve been told Jade is an experiment. An exploration would suite better.

We say that in the beginning one trains for ones own benefit, later for the benefit of others. Later training is seen to be for both self and other.

In truth, however, in the beginning, middle and end there is just training. Could that be the exploration, the lively active encounter? Endless and without edges? There is a saying: Enlightened action leaves no wake. and There is no doer who does the deed nor one who reaps the fruit. And still there is the every present matter of action, responding, giving expression.

Thank you contributors. This development is an expression of Refuge. Refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Treasures all.

Overcome Difficulties, Teachings

Keeping Honest

July 13, 2009 Mugo Leave a comment

I’ve been talking to somebody recently who is caught up in a tricky situation, which is being played out rather publicly. Names and reputations, good ones, are being chewed on, dragged around and generally besmirched. Sad business. (Incidentally this is not in the world of party politics in case anybody was wondering.) There is no way anybody will come out squeaky clean. More arguments and counter arguments will only create more soap bubbles. What is the way through in this sort of situation? To defend oneself, to ignore the inevitable inner disquiet that soap opera produces? Do nothing ’till the storm blows over? Or, like the Manchester hermit in his blog today, apologise. One can at the very least apologise for ones own part in the creation of soap. Or ones part in inadvertently causing hurt to those concerned. As a meditator and one who has Precepts it’s really hard to purposefully, and consistently, create harm. Intention is the touch stone. Touching it regularly keeps one humble, and honest.

I felt a deep regret while meditating this morning so I thought I should say something. I take it as a sign of progress. It’s a funny thing, meditation. Very difficult to know if you’re doing it right. It’s very simple but also extremely difficult. The job is to try and stay with the truth, but I’m so beset by delusions and confusions that it’s often difficult to know if I’ve taken a wrong turn. The only way to really measure oneself is by an increase in loving feelings. This is a sign that my habitual self-centredness must be dissolving slightly and I can start to see things from other points of view.

It’s not something you can create or fake either. If you get on with the main work of patient observation diligently, it just seems to happen by itself that a spring of generous thoughts begins to seep through the ground. It’s very easy to be sitting there daydreaming, or circling round and round selfish or delusional ideas – and I’ve done that. The only way to know if you’re on the right path is if spontaneous kindness starts to break through. Makes you feel happy. Which in my experience makes it quite likely that crabby and irritable is just round the corner…

from An Apology – by The Manchester Hermit.

Teachings

The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel – Dharma Talk

July 5, 2009 Mugo 1 Comment

The image of the jewel is used in Mahayana Buddhism to illustrate different aspects of our relationship to the Truth. Rev. Berwyn explores some of these facets, showing how, through the practice of meditation, we can come to clarify and fulfil our true wish. We can come to realise that the jewel is found right where we are now, in the circumstances of our lives, and that we do not need to look outside of ourselves for the Truth. By accepting the Truth as it is right now, we can come to know that this is enough and that the treasure house is constantly opening before us.

Find this talk on the Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey site – here.

Teachings

Cat On The Carpet

July 3, 2009 Mugo 1 Comment

He came in the ceremony hall this morning close to the end of morning service. Saw him out of the corner of my eye as his form flitted past the back of the altar. He purred his way loudly up the line of monks then threw himself on the carpet, right beside the celebrants large ceremonial mat. Extended long, from claw to claw, front to back paw. Contented cat, relaxed and happy to be in with his friends.

The ceremony ends with a procession lead by a monk with a small hand gong. Uh, slight kink in the procession to avoid Smudge thus disported. We hold our collective breath. Phew! Nope, Smudge was not in the mood for play, no swiping at robes as they swish by nor a more athletic leap for tassels dangling from a ceremonial item.

They come to teach and test our patience and our ability to remain still in the midst of circumstances, not to mention our inner strength not to laugh during inappropriate moments!

Jade Mountains Buddha Hall