Zen

The wind has settled,
the blossoms have fallen;

Birds sing,
the mountains grow dark -- This is the wondrous power
of Buddhism.

- Ryokan

Food for thought

by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

It is always the false that makes you suffer,the false desires and fears,
the false values and ideas,
the false relationships between people. Abandon the false and you are free of pain;
truth makes happy,
truth liberates.

Inspiration Stories

It All Seems So Obvious
by Paulo CoelhoRabbi Ben Zoma was asked: "Who is wise?"
"He who always finds something to learn from others,"
said the Rabbi."Who is strong?"
"The man who is capable of dominating himself,"
responded the Rabbi."Who is wealthy?"
"He who knows the treasure he has:
his days and hours of life,
which can change everything which goes on around him.""Who deserves respect?"
"He who respects himself and his neighbor.""These things are all so obvious," commented one of those present.

The Rabbi concluded by saying:
"That is why they are so difficult to observe."

Inspiration Stories

Heaven and Hell
by Paulo Coelho

A violent samurai who was known for picking fights for no reason at all arrived at the door of a Zen monastery and asked to speak to the master. Without a moment's hesitation, Ryokan came out to meet him."They say that intelligence is more powerful than strength," said the samurai. "I wonder if you could explain to me the meaning of heaven and hell." Riokan remained silent."You see" roared the samurai."I could explain that very easily: to show what hell is, all I need to do is beat someone up. To show what heaven is, just let a person go free after menacing him a lot.""I don't argue with stupid people like you," said the Zen master. This made the samurai's blood boil. His mind was filled with hatred. "Now, that is hell," said Ryokan, smiling."Letting yourself be angered by silly things."
The monk's courage disconcerted the warrior, and he relaxed."And that is heaven," added Ryokan, inviting him in.
"Not reacting to silly provocations."

Food for thought

'Tis the good reader
that makes the good book;in every book he finds passages
which seem confidences
or asides hidden from all else
and unmistakenly meant for his ear; the profit of books is according
to the sensibility of the reader; the profoundest thought
or passion sleeps as in a mine, until it is discovered
by an equal mind and heart.


~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Zen

The Great Way has no gate;
there are a thousand paths to it.

If you pass through the barrier,
you walk the universe alone.

- Wu-Men

Food for thought

In the End, we will remember
not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

- Martin Luther King Jr.

Inspiration quote

In the final analysis,

the hope of every person

is simply peace of mind.

Dalai Lama

Have a lovely weekend and take care :)

Daily practice

from the Dalai Lama

1- Spend 5 minutes at the beginning of each day remembering we all want the same things (to be happy and to be loved) and we are all connected to one another. 2- Spend 5 minutes breathing in cherishing yourself, and breathing out cherishing others. If you think about people you have difficulty cherishing, extend your cherishing to them anyway. 3- During the day extend that attitude to everyone you meet. Practice cherishing the "simplest" person as well as the "important" people in your life, cherish the people you love and the people you dislike. 4- Continue this practice no matter what happens or what anyone does to you. These thoughts are very simple, inspiring and helpful. The practice of cherishing can be taken very deep if done wordlessly, allowing yourself to feel the love and appreciation that already exists in your heart.

Inspiration quote

Happiness comes
when your work and words
are of benefit to yourself and others.

- Buddha

Food for thought

as a flower blown out by the wind
goes to rest and cannot be definedso the wise man freed from individuality
goes to rest and cannot be defined.gone beyond all images-
gone beyond the power of words


From: Sutta Nipata

Food for thought

by Antoine de Saint-ExuperyAnd now here is my secret,
a very simple secret;it is only with the heart
that one can see rightly, what is essential
is invisible to the eye.

Moments of silence

Celestial

If

You

Had

Known

How we

Would

Have

GrownHad you

Still wandered

All those years alone

And left me here on my ownFor when i looked into your eyes

It was so apparent that we were home

And together as bright as celestial skies

Yet you took a travelers path to find

Silence which remained behind

Was nothing other than

This love which

Is divine

by Silent Lotus

Moments of silence

Looking at my life
I see that only
Love
Has been my soul’s companionFrom deep inside
My soul cries out: Do not wait, surrender
For the sake of
Love.

By Rumi

Food for thought

The butterfly counts not months
but moments,
and has time enough.

Rabindranath Tagore

A sunny day in my garden,
surrounded by it's beautiful inhabitants,
always makes me feel quiet and peaceful.

Have a wonderful weekend :)

Inspiration stories

One day, in ancient India, the Buddha was giving a teaching to his followers.
On this day however, instead of a verbal teaching,
he simply held up a flower.

One of his disciples, Mahakasyapa, smiled.

The Buddha said: "Today, I gave a silent teaching and Mahakasyapa alone understood it."This was the birth of Zen.

Since that time, the Buddha's message has been transmitted from person to person right up to today's modern Zen masters.

Inspiration stories

“ A student asked master Bankei
“ How can I cure my terrible temper?”
“Show it to me,” demanded Bankei,“ I can’t just show it to you like that
because it comes on unexpectedly.”
Explained the student.

Bankei replied
“It is not your true nature, then.
If it were it would be with you at all time.”

From: The Wisdom of the Zen Masters

Thank you.... :)

Don't walk in front of me,
I may not follow.

Don't walk behind me,
I may not lead.Just walk beside me
and be my friend


- Albert Camus

Moments of silence

One Vast Garden
By: Sri Ananandamayi Ma


"I find one vast garden spread
out all over the universe.

All plants, all human beings,
all higher mind bodies
are about in this garden
in various ways,

each has his own
uniqueness and beauty.
Their presence and variety
give me great delight.

Every one of you adds
his special feature
to the glory of the garden."

Moments of silence

All The Faces
by Silent Lotus


One
Day
All the faces

I have worn

Shall be painted upon the pages
The biographer has drawn Yet my image
You shall
Not find there For my souls reflection
Is a vibrance
Of silence
Thin
Air