Is Mindfulness Meditation BS?

It’s hard to put your finger on the point when the Western stereotype of Buddhist meditation flipped. It was sometime between the 1950s, when Zen Buddhism seeped into the beat generation, and the early 21st century, when mindfulness meditation seeped into Wall Street and Silicon Valley.

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Is Mindfulness Meditation BS?

Source: WIRED

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Remembering Lama Purtsela

Lama Purtsela

Lama Purtsela was a faithful disciple and companion to Gendün Rinpoche; he followed him to France in 1975. He was an authentic practitioner, and throughout his forty years at Dhagpo, he was a living example of the profound richness of Buddhism. On July 9, 2016 Lama Purtse left us, entering into tukdam (post-mortem méditative absorption) for eight days.

On July 18, the departure of Lama Purtsela who was a source of inspiration for many, was commemorated.

https://fr-fr.facebook.com/LamaPourtsela/

Song from Seven Circles

Seven Circles Retreat

Up early each day – meditation, chanting, Feldenkrais, and napping

Om Mani Padme Hung

Overcoming many obstacles, we gather here in Seven Circles for retreat

The gong is a tattle tale – it told on you

Oh, Ngondro, you cracked me wide open

The strong arms of the chant lift me, my sangha, brothers and sisters hold me

Buddha Nature prevails

Love, kindness, discipline, perseverance, awareness, and insight

Chanting and rolling dharma bundles

An oriole shoots by…enlightenment

Noble silence, noble speech

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ho

Sweat rolls down my back as I dive into the linoleum

Gasping for breath, walking among the giant trees with my friends

Making offerings at Big Baldy

Mt. Meru insight prayers

By the circle of tall trees

Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, ribbit, ribbit

We grew like hairs on Big Baldy

Reversing time – finding the present moment – going backwards

High Ngondro, starring Cary Grant me your blessings

Trying hard not to break noble silence – epic fail

Who are the three families and do they have anything to do with the five families?

Fail, fail again, fail better

Hope you fail better soon!

Surrendering concepts in devotion, to the teacher who teaches devotion, to the teacher I take refuge

Beloved sons and daughters of the Kagyu lineage – nevertheless you might feel like a stepchild

Gurgle, gurgle, ribbit, ribbit

Rooster, cow, chicken

Om Svasti Shamar Rinpoche – we follow you

You are all masters, just open your eyes – I can’t – it’s too bright!

Would it help to put on sunglasses?

What are we supposed to be doing?

Just stay awake

A road to Badger, feeling anxious

Seeking Buddha – oh, he’s already here

Let the mantras roll

Now my life has become fruitful

I heard about the five colors of emanating light, I need four more flashlights

Breakfast, lunch, dinner – grateful for the earth, grateful for the hands

Nevertheless she cooks

My heart does a gentle dance with time – mine asks to cut in

From the country road, Maria brings wildflowers to the altar

Take me home country road……

–

Bodhi Path Poem – June 2017  Seven Circles Retreat Center – Composed by the refugees

“There’s no business, like shoe business!”

 

Photo courtesy of Jean Loo

 

To cover all the earth with sheets of leather
Where could such amounts of skin be found?
But with the leather soles of just my shoes
It is as though I cover all the earth!

–

A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life – Shantideva

Chapter 5

Vigilant Introspection
Verse 13

Khenpo Tsering visits Pasadena Bodhi Path

We had the good fortune and blessings to have our teacher and friend Khenpo Tsering visit our group last Wednesday night and give teachings this weekend at the home of our dear friend and dharma sister, Jean Loo. Many thanks to everyone who contributed in making this weekend a most enjoyable one. Khenpo elucidated the 5th Chapter, Vigilant Introspection, of the Bodhisattvacharyāvatāra, Way of the Bodhisattva. We all benefited greatly from Khenpo’s explanations and his wonderful stories.

“Khenpo finished his teachings of Chapter 5 Vigilant Introspection with 109 verses in A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life by Shantideva.  Look forward to more teachings.” – Jean Loo

Khenpo with Francesca, Erinn, and Nastassja at our Wednesday night class

Khenpo and the sangha at Jean’s home

Was Bo Diddley a Buddha?

Buddhist Art News

Bo Diddley performing with Chuck Berry in 1972. Credit Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Stephen T. Asma
The New York Times, APRIL 10, 2017

Bo Diddley performing with Chuck Berry in 1972. Credit Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
CHICAGO — When I was in my 20s, I had the good fortune to play guitar as an opening act for the blues legend B. B. King. This lucky break opened many doors for me, and I soon found myself playing with other great blues musicians — Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy and Bo Diddley, to name a few. During one stretch time, Bo hired me whenever he played in Chicago.

Before my first gig with Bo, I spent a full week of intense preparation, learning and rehearsing his songs. On the opening night, he arrived to the venue five minutes before showtime. As he walked onstage in front of 500 shouting fans, I tried…

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A poem for the Vidhyadhara

Today marks the 30th anniversary of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s parinirvana.

Although I never formally met you or experienced you in your nirmanakaya form, I’ve been blessed to be under the guidance of one of your students. My teacher has shared many wonderful stories and it is quite clear to see that you are very much alive in her heart and every moment. I did had a wonderful, powerful dream with you many years ago, one that I still remember vividly. I was in a line, a procession, heading towards you. You were giving everyone a blessing. I remember you were dressed in white robes, and thought how odd? I was used to seeing Tibetan monks in their marooned robes, although you left your robes behind some time ago. Then as I arrived in front of you, you placed your hand on my head as I bowed. Then, like a rush of electricity, I felt an energy come from my feet, up through my body and out of the top of my head! At this precise moment, my eyes opened wide, I gasped, and woke up from the dream! It was an amazing experience. When I shared it with my teacher, she laughed and said,

“I see Rinpoche visited you.”

.

A poem for the Vidhyadhara,

In the dhatu of beginninglessness and endlessness

Thank goodness there is the death of concepts

And the deathlessness of basic goodness