Whether you class yourself as religious or not, whether you believe in sin or not, this quote from the Book of John holds an important message for all of us. Who are we to judge what another does, and what right does society have to decide what is good or bad? There do have to … Continue reading Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone
Tag: emotion
I think, therefore the universe is.
As I entered the forest this morning, a myriad of experiences assaulted my senses. The bird song was prolific, the burbling chatter of the song thrush, the rich tones of the blackbirds, the rapid hurry of chaffinch notes and tweeting of the blue tits. The wind rushed through the swaying tree tops, roaring like a … Continue reading I think, therefore the universe is.
Loss
Think of the one most important thing in your life. This thing may be your family, it may be your job, your status, your health, your mind, a keepsake. Now imagine that you lose this thing, which is so important to you. What would happen? Would you feel bereft, lost, grief-stricken, heart-broken? Then imagine you … Continue reading Loss
Switch
If, when talking about a painting, someone were to mention the terms movement, tone, rhythm or texture, our imagination would be taken to a very different place than if we read these same words when reading something related to physics. If they were used for describing a piece of music, they would mean something different … Continue reading Switch
Dreams
Waking life wallows in the indulgencies of the word-hoard. Words spin webs of deception and delusion. They shape and falsify our experience...serving human masters of fear and vanity.* We are captives of our own intelligence. We label everything in a bid to master it, under the guise of understanding. There is nothing we experience which … Continue reading Dreams
Power
Imagine something which makes you feel angry. Perhaps it's a memory of an argument you've had, or some injustice done to you or someone close to you. The more strongly you imagine it the angrier you feel. Your muscles start to tense and you feel your mind become clouded with negative emotions. This is both … Continue reading Power
Shielding
Buddhism talks about 'emptiness' and for many this can be a difficult concept to accept. The idea that everything leads to suffering and that ultimately everything is empty can appear nihilistic and fairly depressing, but this 'emptiness' does not mean worthless, or devoid of meaning. It is a common human condition that we attach personal … Continue reading Shielding
Time
If we were locked in a small, pitch black room for an undefined period, we would doubtless experience a series of strong and varied emotions. Of course, if we did not know the reason, we would feel surprise, puzzlement and questioning what was happening would be our foremost thought. We may start to feel afraid … Continue reading Time
Motive
There is a circular movement at force within the universe. The earth goes round the sun, the moon around the earth. The clothes your parents used to wear come back into fashion, names of your grandparents, fads, economy, popular interests. This cycle happens too within our own lives, on a smaller timescale. We battle with … Continue reading Motive
Satori
The sudden and intuitive way of seeing into anything, whether it be remembering a forgotten name or seeing into the deepest principles of Buddhism. One seeks and seeks, but one cannot find. One then gives up, and the answer comes by itself.* We have all experienced this on some level or other, whether we were … Continue reading Satori
Zen musings 