Category: Personal Development
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92. Keep A Not Moving Center
You must silence the constant stream of mental chatter. “It is hard toconceptualize, no less experience an openness of mind in the midst of thisconstant internal chatter.” Guo Gu Poet Ryokan also famously said, “There is nothing better than saying nothing.” Itis both possible and actually preferable to teach others simply by a calmpresence. Speak…
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91. Zen Phrases
1.) The test of zen is to find that still point within, even in the midst of chaos.2.) Hakuin Zenji taught: Find the silence which contains thoughts.3.) The ego is a fabricated illusion4.) People are afraid to empty their minds fearing that they will be engulfed by the void.What they don’t realize is their own…
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A Letter to the Sangha: Abbot Mako on Skillful Action
Dear Sangha, As I sit at my desk at Tassajara—a place beloved by myself and so many others—and watch the evening light cast flickering shadows across the tatami floor of the Abbot’s cabin, I feel deeply grateful to be right here. From this seat, I am in harmony with the ancient oaks, the sound…
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The Presence of Poetry in Our Lives: A Conversation with Paul Haller and Naomi Shihab Nye
Ryushin Paul Haller and Naomi Shihab Nye By Tova Green Poet Naomi Shihab Nye and SFZC Senior Dharma teacher Ryushin Paul Haller will co-host A Benefit for Gaza: Writers Witness for Peace on May 18, 4 pm at City Center, 300 Page Street. Naomi and ten writers of diverse faiths and backgrounds will read…
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Book Review of David McMahan’s Rethinking Meditation
It is hard to know how to even begin to review of a book of the beauty, depth, nuance, and complexity of David McMahan’s excellent Rethinking Meditation: Buddhist Meditative Practices in Ancient and Modern Worlds (Oxford, 2023). David’s previous book—his seminal The Making of Buddhist Modernism (Oxford, 2009)—is undeniably the most important book about Buddhist…
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Book Review: The Garden of Weeds and Flowers
Two years ago a representative from the Monkfish Book Publishing Company based in Rhinebeck, New York asked if I would review The Garden of Weeds and Flowers: A New Translation and Commentary on The Blue Cliff Record (2021) written by Korean Jogye Order Zen teacher Matthew Juksan Sullivan. I let the publisher know I…
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Mysterious Author, Mysterious Soul | Wisdom Teachings of Sambodhi Padmasamadhi (Volumes 1-70)
~ ∞ ~ Sambodhi Padmasamadhi – Infinite Quantum Zen ~ ∞ ~ This is the preface and introduction for a 70-volume series called “Wisdom Teachings of Sambodhi Padmasamadhi.” Due to their length, the text has been divided into multiple parts. Here is the full list of contents for your convenience. • Preface. • Dear…
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Are we from the future? Are we from another world? | Wisdom Teachings of Sambodhi Padmasamadhi (Volumes 1-70)
~ ∞ ~ Sambodhi Padmasamadhi – Infinite Quantum Zen ~ ∞ ~ This is the preface and introduction for a 70-volume series called “Wisdom Teachings of Sambodhi Padmasamadhi.” Due to their length, the text has been divided into multiple parts. Here is the full list of contents for your convenience. • Preface. • Dear…
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History of Qigong: The Small Universe (or Microcosmic Orbit)
The Small Universe. The Microcosmic Orbit. The Small Circulation. Believe it or not, all three of these terms are translations of the same Chinese qigong technique, called Xiao Zhou Tian (小周天). If you want to hear a native speaker, who may or may not also be a robot, pronounce the words in Mandarin, click here…
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13 Reasons Why the Small Universe (Microcosmic Orbit) is Awesome
The Small Universe (Microcosmic Orbit) is awesome. Whether you’re an intermediate or advanced practitioner, this technique has something profound to offer. Let’s dive into why it’s more relevant today than ever. The Small Universe is a powerful and ancient qigong technique. I’ve written several blog posts about it, and this will be another in that…