Showing posts with label buddhism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label buddhism. Show all posts
19 December 2015
27 April 2008
16 March 2008
little moments of peace
i think part of what we live for in this world are those little moments of peace. my old teacher called it "moments of zen."
like when i was in a meeting with my boss, and spontaneously glanced out the window over her shoulder. this enormous boat came by--but it was being moved by a tiny little tugboat. she was blathering on about something that seemed immensely important, but just seeing this little precious moment reminded me of how much world there is outside of our confined walls in our office.
or the other day, when after a good 8 miler, i was running home, thinking about how thirsty i was, when movement in the sky above me caught my eye. a plane was flying low, probably to land at laguardia. however, much closer to me were many birds, soaring and flying over the ugly pulaski bridge. i was struck at how beautiful they were when they soared, and stared as they flap-flap-flap-flap-flap-flap-sooooooooooooooooar. it was so beautiful and pulled me out of my running reverie to watch the beauty filling my sky.
and these are the moments that we live for.
like when i was in a meeting with my boss, and spontaneously glanced out the window over her shoulder. this enormous boat came by--but it was being moved by a tiny little tugboat. she was blathering on about something that seemed immensely important, but just seeing this little precious moment reminded me of how much world there is outside of our confined walls in our office.
or the other day, when after a good 8 miler, i was running home, thinking about how thirsty i was, when movement in the sky above me caught my eye. a plane was flying low, probably to land at laguardia. however, much closer to me were many birds, soaring and flying over the ugly pulaski bridge. i was struck at how beautiful they were when they soared, and stared as they flap-flap-flap-flap-flap-flap-sooooooooooooooooar. it was so beautiful and pulled me out of my running reverie to watch the beauty filling my sky.
and these are the moments that we live for.
10 January 2008
this is why i consider thich nhat hanh to be my teacher
"Recommendation"
by Thich Nhat Hanh
Promise me, promise me this day,
promise me now,
while the sun is shining above
exactly at zenith, promise me
even if people crush you
under a mountain of hatred and violence,
even if they walk on your life
and crush you like a caterpillar,
even if they amputate you,
disembowel you,
remember, brother,
man is not our enemy.
Only your compassion and
your loving kindness are invincible,
and without limit.
Hatred can never respond
to the beastlines in humankind.
One day when you are by yourself
facing cruelty,
your courage intact,
your calm eyes full of love,
even if no one knows of your smile,
blossoming as a flower in solitude and great pain,
those who love you will still see you
while traveling through a thousand worlds
of birth and death.
Alone again, I will go on
with my head bent down,
knowing that love has become eternal.
And on the long and difficult road,
the light of the sun and the moon
is still there
to guide my steps.
This is something that is quite intense to practice on; my mind will be full for a long time with these thoughts. Thank you, Thich Nhat Hanh.
by Thich Nhat Hanh
Promise me, promise me this day,
promise me now,
while the sun is shining above
exactly at zenith, promise me
even if people crush you
under a mountain of hatred and violence,
even if they walk on your life
and crush you like a caterpillar,
even if they amputate you,
disembowel you,
remember, brother,
man is not our enemy.
Only your compassion and
your loving kindness are invincible,
and without limit.
Hatred can never respond
to the beastlines in humankind.
One day when you are by yourself
facing cruelty,
your courage intact,
your calm eyes full of love,
even if no one knows of your smile,
blossoming as a flower in solitude and great pain,
those who love you will still see you
while traveling through a thousand worlds
of birth and death.
Alone again, I will go on
with my head bent down,
knowing that love has become eternal.
And on the long and difficult road,
the light of the sun and the moon
is still there
to guide my steps.
This is something that is quite intense to practice on; my mind will be full for a long time with these thoughts. Thank you, Thich Nhat Hanh.
05 January 2008
purity
i consider myself to be a running purist. i never wear headphones when i run. i do wear them at the gym (which is appalling tedious, in my opinion; music alleviates the boredom as i cross-train and strength-train to prevent injury), but never when i'm running.
why do i need headphones when i'm running? running itself and the scenery (although it is not always lovely, as i am a runner in new york city) captivates my interest. i am entertained by the very act of running.
but no, that's not all running is to me. running is also a place for me to clear my mind, to meditate. my old roommate didn't think running was a form of meditation; my buddhist landlord and i argued to her that it was where i cleared my mind. i do sitting meditation, but for me, i feel a lot better about things after a run. running is where i am able to make decisions, where i am able to clear everything out of my head, and just run. just be.
run.
why do i need headphones when i'm running? running itself and the scenery (although it is not always lovely, as i am a runner in new york city) captivates my interest. i am entertained by the very act of running.
but no, that's not all running is to me. running is also a place for me to clear my mind, to meditate. my old roommate didn't think running was a form of meditation; my buddhist landlord and i argued to her that it was where i cleared my mind. i do sitting meditation, but for me, i feel a lot better about things after a run. running is where i am able to make decisions, where i am able to clear everything out of my head, and just run. just be.
run.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)