Anatta or “Not Self”

by  Saṃsāran

Some also call this egolessness. Nothing that exists in and of itself, without dependencies, and as a single, permanent thing. Everything is actually a collection that we have labeled as a certain thing, and you may tend to think of yourself as “this is who I am.” The problem with that is that it’s not true.

Advances in the field of neuroscience teaches that the brain works on a neural web, a network of a hundred trillion connections, rather than from a central processor like a computer. Thoughts and impressions arise and fall all the time in our waking lives and in our sleep. There is no distinct “self” in the brain looking out at the world. Instead, the brain gives rise to thoughts, feelings, emotions, reactions, etc. that go into the creation of a feeling of self. When you use the technique of self observation and see how this process works it will liberate you.. You no longer need to cling to an image of yourself, because it becomes obvious that is just a mental picture that is also subject to change and impermanence..

Infinity 

Easy Candle Meditation

Here is a very simple 6 - 8 minute meditation for quieting thought.

First make a small space on the floor. Place a cushion or a folded blanket down and light a candle and place it on the floor in front of you. If you are on your phone or tablet where a candle is not feasible then use the animation above,

Second, sit comfortably. Do not force any posture. Some like to sit with their back along the wall for support. Some will sit on a chair or stool. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you are comfortable and not distracted by discomfort. Watch the lower back and legs in particular. Comfort is the key.

Third get into a deep breathing pattern. Breathing through your nose and filling your lungs fully instead of the shallow 1/3 that we normally do. Use this rhythm: 

Now focus your attention on the flickering flame of the candle. Let thoughts freely flow. Do not engage them. Always divert your attention back to the candle. No frustration. No striving. No right. No wrong. Just inhale peace and exhale stress. Quiet the mind by watching the thoughts float by like clouds. When a thought is engaged then return back to the candle flame. Over and over. You have no goal. No need for frustration. The thoughts may flow as they flow. No frustration. No striving. Let it go. Let it flow. 

Keep breathing. In ….. out ….. in ,,,, out.

Do this only so long as you are comfortable.

If you want to find this again no problem. Just go to our resource page.

Dope

Buddha Meditation by Yuliya Glavnaya

Dogen and the Essence of Zen

by  Saṃsāran 

The great eleventh century Japanese Dogen Zenji, Japanese Zen Master - (1200- 1253) CE  was born the illegitimate son of a great feudal lord. A brilliant child he soon was a high ranking official in the court. He left this position to become a lowly monk. Like many bright students he became fixed on one idea. The Buddha taught that all people were born with Buddha nature i.e. the capacity for enlightenment. Why then, he questioned, was it necessary to study and to live many lifetimes to become a Buddha?

Dogen traveled to the Chinese mainland and sought a teacher. Zen Buddhism originated in China where it was called “Chan". Chan or Zen was heavily influenced by Chinese Taoism. After becoming disenchanted with several teachers if the Chan lineage he came to study with the unorthodox master Tiāntóng Rújìng. One day he heard is master say “cast off body and mind" and young Dogen had a moment of clarity and saw the meaning of true liberation of mind and spirit. He saw that the practice of meditation or “zazen" and enlightenment were one and the same. That is the practice of the way with single mindedness is, in Dogen’s view. the same as enlightenment or as Dogen himself put it there was no “gap" between practice and our daily lives.

This is the essence of Zen as taught in Japan. Zazen is not “step-by-step meditation". Rather it is simply the easy and pleasant practice of a Buddha, the realization of the Buddha’s Wisdom. The Truth appears, there being no delusion. If you understand this, you will know Oneness, you will know complete freedom from all fear, care and worries of the world. You will be a Buddha not after a thousand reincarnations or even in the next life but here and now.

๑ Samsaran ๑

May your holidays be filled with loving kindness.