Negativity

We all experience reoccurring negative thoughts at some point in our lives. It might be when we replay an argument we have had with someone, or relive some past abuse which haunts us. When these negative thoughts arise, we are not living in the present moment any longer, but the past. How does this help … Continue reading Negativity →

Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone

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 →

Awakening

A small child walks into a hardware store with his parents. He doesn’t register the screws and nuts or any of the other materials he has no prior knowledge of, but does see the display of brightly coloured buckets and spades and is instantly drawn there. The father, who has been working on a DIY … Continue reading Awakening →

Absolute

Practice zazen as if your hair were on fire. When we sit, we cannot be thinking about yesterday’s actions or tomorrow’s plans. When we while away the time doing this, we are not sitting, but thinking. Sitting should be performed like any other action, we should be consumed by it, so that the thoughts drop … Continue reading Absolute →

Negativity

Significant insignificance

Winter solstice this year saw the great conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter. This close alignment had not occurred since 1623 and with the close proximity of Christmas, it was named by many as the Christmas Star, similar to the one which many believe guided the three wise men to the baby Jesus, two thousand and … Continue reading Significant insignificance →

Interpretation

The human language can be incredibly complicated. An apt example at this wintery time of year is the oral concept of snow. It is understood the Inuits have over 50 words for arctic conditions, and the Russians have 70. The Scots are said to have over 400! If you read the word saw, what would … Continue reading Interpretation →

Stillness

For many Buddhists, the world is seen as a difficult place, full of delusion and attachments, which in turn cause suffering and pain. This whirlwind, however, can be escaped through Nirvana, which is seen as a state of 'no wind', the ultimate attainment. Nirvana ensures no rebirth, a break from the wheel of life into … Continue reading Stillness →

Gift

It's no co-incidence that present and gift mean the same thing. What a joy it is to be truly present, not to be split in two with our head always half in some other place. To really be present and to live in the moment is the most peaceful and freeing experience we can have. … Continue reading Gift →

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 →