Pema Chödrön on how we react

Pema Chödrön on how we react
“Lhasa on the Hudson” now at Staten Island’s Museum of Tibetan Art
Let’s Just Make Sh*t Up To Forward a Buddhist Scented Agenda
Let’s Just Make Sh*t Up To Forward a Buddhist Scented Agenda
False Face
Oakland’s 11th Avenue Buddha under threat?
“Yoga for Meditators” teaches you tadasana, or “mountain pose”

Posted: 26 Jun 2012 08:00 AM PDT

From Heart Advice comes this quote from Pema Chödrön's When Things Fall Apart.

"When someone blames us, how do we react? When we've lost something, how do we react? When we feel we've gained something, how do we react? When we feel pleasure or pain, is it as simple as that? Do we just feel pleasure or pain? Or is there a whole libretto that goes along with it?

"When we become inquisitive about these things, look into them, see who we are and what we do, with the curiosity of a young child, what might seem like a problem becomes a source of wisdom. Oddly enough, this curiosity begins to undercut what we call ego pain or self-centeredness, and we see more clearly."

Want more wisdom from Pema? She'll be leading a "virtual retreat" on July 14, her 76th birthday, giving an exclusive video teaching on the theme of practicing peace; click here for more information about the retreat.

And for even more of her teachings, look for "Signs of Spiritual Progress" in our July magazine, and check out our Pema Chödrön spotlight page. An exclusive excerpt from Pema's new book, Living Beautifully, will be featured in our November 2012 Shambhala Sun magazine—look for it in the fall!

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“Lhasa on the Hudson” now at Staten Island’s Museum of Tibetan Art

Posted: 26 Jun 2012 06:00 AM PDT

Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art

Meg Whitlock's photo exhibit "Lhasa on the Hudson," which showcases images of Tibetan immigrants now living in New York, is now showing at the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art in Staten Island. Each photo featured in the exhibit is accompanied by a brief biography of the subjects. The exhibit is on display until June 30th. You can read an interview with the photographer here that was published yesterday by Michael J. Fressola of silive.com.

Photo by Jim Henderson via Wikimedia Commons. CC Public Domain Dedication.

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Let’s Just Make Sh*t Up To Forward a Buddhist Scented Agenda

Posted: 26 Jun 2012 02:00 AM PDT

I came across this photo just now. It was Photoshopped by one Domo Geshe Rinpoche, [aka Marjorie Wangchuk, aka Tara Wangchuk, aka Marjorie Tara Dadak (Marjorie Quinn)] . If you try to find an impartial biography or even an account … Continue reading → Read More @ Source

Let’s Just Make Sh*t Up To Forward a Buddhist Scented Agenda

Posted: 25 Jun 2012 08:00 PM PDT

False Face

Posted: 25 Jun 2012 02:00 PM PDT

The Poison Tree

I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I watered it in fears,
Night and morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine.
And he knew that it was mine,

And into my garden stole
When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning glad I see
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

William Blake

A couple of days ago I was listening to Poetry Please on Radio 4 as I drove to Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey. This poem stood out as one I'd want to link to here. It speaks to something we probably all do at some level.

When we are completely honest with ourselves does friend mean somebody like me and foe mean not like me?

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Oakland’s 11th Avenue Buddha under threat?

Posted: 25 Jun 2012 12:00 PM PDT

NBC Bay Area is reporting that a Buddha statue on Oakland's 11th Avenue—placed on a median in 1999 by local resident Dan Stevenson and his wife to discourage people from dumping garbage—may be removed due to safety concerns. Several emails were sent to District 2 City Councilwoman Pat Kernighan after a wooden structure was placed around the Buddha. People who visit the statue to pray and make offerings must stand, kneel, or sit in the street, potentially putting them and drivers in danger.

Though the article mentions that "Kernighan insists there are no plans to tear out the Buddha just yet" and that the complaint is simply being investigated at this point, a group entitled "SavetheBuddha" has sprung up on Facebook. Kernighan also posted the following on SavetheBuddha's wall:

"My Council office has heard from many about the Buddha figure on 11th Avenue. Most neighbors agree that the Buddha figure's presence has helped to alleviate illegal dumping and to bring a sense of community to the neighborhood. These positive outcomes make me want to see the figure remain. I've expressed that hope to the Public Works Department. They are investigating various issues involved. There is a downside, though, to the Buddha figure's current location. People who arrive to pay respects are doing so partially in the street. I worry for their safety and the potential hazard this creates for people driving through that area.

"I have asked Public Works to inform me and the neighborhood before taking any action. For now they are looking at the issues. I will keep neighbors posted on any recommendations. In the meantime, I would be interested in any solutions proposed by the community regarding the traffic safety issues."

Below is NBC Bay Area's television report on the 11th avenue Buddha.

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Prajna-paramita Hrdaya Sutram (The Heart Sutra) 般若心経

The sacred and famous mantra, the heart sitra now comes in MV with many faces of the goddess of mercy. Presented in Sanskrit, it's not only the mantra of all, but also the mantra for all. Enjoy. 般若心経

Video Rating: 4 / 5

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“Yoga for Meditators” teaches you tadasana, or “mountain pose”

Posted: 25 Jun 2012 11:00 AM PDT

Charlotte Bell's new book Yoga for Meditators, available from Rodmell Press, focuses on specific physical challenges that meditators often face, and the yoga poses that can alleviate them. (Earlier we shared the book's helpful advice for basic sitting postures.) This section explains mountain pose, or tadasana, which establishes stability with mobility, aligns natural spinal curves, supports deep breathing and improves balance.

Practice with Care: Practice on a firm, level surface. If you have low blood pressure, do not stay in Mountain Pose longer than 1 minute. Prop: one nonskid mat.

A mountain is a symbol of beauty and strength. Its beauty lies in its towering granite peaks, solid brown earth, fields of wildflowers, and cobalt-tinted snow. A mountain's strength comes from its ability to meet with grace whatever comes its way. In a typical year, a mountain weathers everything from the glaring, high-altitude sun to gale-force winds and many feet of snow. In the spring, the mountain becomes permeable, absorbing much of the snowmelt and collecting the rest in crystalline lakes. A mountain absorbs all that is visited upon it while maintaining its essential integrity.

In yoga, Mountain Pose (Figure 12) is the foundation for all the other asanas, especially the standing poses. When we align our structure in integrity, we become like a mountain—stable and solid, yet mobile and malleable. It may seem superfluous to spend time describing such a simple, basic pose—one that we do every day—but many of us have had natural, well-aligned posture taught out of us. Rather than nurturing our natural spinal curves, what many of us have been taught as correct posture actually flattens the curves. When we stand in Mountain Pose, as in sitting meditation, our spine rests in its natural curves and is able to move force easily, giving the posture both grounding and lightness. Mountain Pose is not only the basis for all the vertical postures in yoga practice, but it is also the best pose for standing meditation.

Begin by standing on your mat with your feet hip-width apart. Align the feet so they are parallel. Because the feet are wider at the toes than at the heel, the most accurate way to align the feet is to draw an imaginary line from a point between the second and third toes to the center of each ankle. Stand so those lines are parallel to each other.

Now become aware of the thighs. If you are like most people, your thighs are likely to be pushing forward. Draw the tops of the thighbones back slightly. If you press your fingers gently into the crease at the tops of the thighs (at the hip joint), the tendons and ligaments there should be slightly springy. For contrast, try pushing the thighs forward and tucking your tailbone. In this position, the tendons and ligaments of the hip joint will feel hard and tight. Draw the thighbones back until the tissue in the hip joints feels springy. It will probably feel as if your rear end is sticking out. It's not! It's just that we who grew up in Western culture have been taught to stand in a military position—with the tailbone tucked—which flattens out the sacral and lumbar curves. Allow your spine to be curvaceous!

Make sure you are not locking the knees. Locking often occurs because the thighs are pushing forward. Allowing the thighs and hip joints to release back will help bring the legs into a more vertical position. When the pelvis is in its proper neutral position, the knees are less likely to hyperextend.

As you ground (active yield) through the feet, allow your rib cage to lift gently, both front and back. Then allow your shoulder blades to slide slightly down the back toward your waist. As you inhale, your shoulder blades may move outward a bit. Allow that movement, as it mirrors the natural movement of the lungs on inhalation.

Now pay attention to your breathing. Mountain Pose, because it aligns the natural curves of the spine, supports deep breathing. For contrast, you can try tucking your tailbone and pulling your abdomen in. How does this change of posture affect your breathing? Then come back to Mountain Pose and take 5 to 10 deep, easy breaths.

Closing your eyes in Mountain Pose can help you understand and improve balance. Assume Mountain Pose and then close your eyes, letting the breath be easy and natural. Rest your attention on your feet, and feel what is happening in your feet as you stand, noticing all the little shifts taking place. Balancing is not about finding just the "right" position and then freezing there. You will likely find, as you pay attention, even in neutral standing, that your feet are making constant movements—side to side, forward and back, every which way—to keep you upright.

This is the nature of equilibrium or equanimity in our lives off the mat as well. Equanimity is the moment-to-moment mindful response to all the many and varied happenings in our lives. Standing mindfully in Mountain Pose can teach you about living an easeful life. Stay for 5 to 10 breaths, or longer if you are practicing standing meditation.

You can practice Mountain Pose almost anywhere: on your mat, in line at the grocery store or bank, for a few seconds when you get up from your desk at work, or when transitioning between sitting, walking, or lying down med- itation—anytime, really. It is wonderful for centering yourself, especially at times when you feel scattered or anxious. In your asana practice, try moving into Mountain Pose between standing postures—kind of like coming home between poses. A mindful Mountain Pose in between other postures can teach you a lot about the effects of asana on your body-mind.

Charlotte Bell began practicing yoga in 1982. Following a 1989 trip to Pune, India, she received teacher certification from B. K. S. Iyengar. A lifelong musician, she plays oboe and English horn with the Salt Lake Symphony and performs with Scherzando Winds, blue haiku and Red Rock Rondo. She lives in Salt Lake City. For more information about her yoga classes and workshops, visit www.charlottebellyoga.com.

From Yoga for Meditators, copyright © 2012 by Charlotte Bell. Illustration copyright © 2012 by Sharon Ellis. Reprinted by permission from Rodmell Press.

For more, see our Yoga and Buddhist spotlight page.

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THE MOST RELAXING MUSIC EVER! From DREAMS OF ANGELS by POL ANTHONY

itunes.apple.com Relax and unwind to the most relaxing music ever. This track is 'Memento Vivere' - latin for 'Remember to Live' from the album 'Dreams of Angels.' Purchase 'Dreams of Angels' at iTunes and support Pol Anthony's beautiful music: itunes.apple.com "Relaxation Music" Music for relaxation and meditation. Musique pour la relaxation et la méditation. Détendez. Méditez. Muziek voor ontspanning en meditatie. Ontspan. Mediteer. Musik für Entspannung und Meditation. Entspannen Sie. Meditieren Sie. Música para la relajación y la meditación. Relájese. Meditate. Musica per rilassamento e la meditazione. Distenda. Meditate. Μουσική για τη χαλάρωση και την περισυλλογή. Χαλαρώστε. Meditate. Нот для релаксации и раздумья. Ослабьте. Meditate. Música para o abrandamento ea meditação. Relaxe. Meditate. Musik för avslappning och meditation Relax. Meditera. Musikk for avslapning og meditasjon Relax. Mediter. Musiikkia rentoutumiseen ja mietiskelyyn Relax. Meditoi. 弛緩および黙想のための音楽。緩めなさい。考えなさい。 이완과 명상을 위한 음악. 이완하십시오. 숙고하십시오. 放松和凝思的音乐。放松。思考。 موسيقى للاسترخاء والتأمل الاسترخاء. التأمل

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