We should question everything. When thinking about Atisha’s exercise for this week it is really interesting because this exercise does the exact opposite of everything that we’re being taught in the New Age world. We’re taught that we have to always think positive thoughts and never to think any negative thoughts. For if we do …
Category Archives: Zen Stories
A Great Buddhist Teacher
When we’re working with Atisha’s exercise we get the idea of what it’s like to be with an authentic master. Atisha was a great Buddhist Master in medieval times. The simplicity of it is the anti-ego of it. Breathe in all the pain and misery of the world and then breathe out love and compassion. …
You are stronger than you think
Our Zen story this week, with Atisha’s exercise, shows us that we are stronger and more capable than we think. We are also more connected than we have been led to believe. In this exercise you breathe in all the negativity of the world and then you transform it in your heart and you breathe …
Freedom from the lie
So… I don’t know this for sure, but my experience is leading me to start to believe that the only thing the human Spirit cannot really handle is an existential lie. A basic lie about who you are. That’s why, in all Buddhist teachings, and all non-dual teachings, the number one thing you’re trying to …
Save Me From the Pillar
So Sheik Farid was out teaching in the Square one afternoon. A man came along to learn from him who was full of questions. He was obviously very learned in Nonduality, and Zen, and Sufism. So he asked, “How do I get rid of my concepts? How do I get rid of my mind? How …
The Pillar is not Holding You
The pillar is not holding you. That’s obvious. But what we’re talking about is stuff that’s going on in your mind. Right? It feels real. So real. Emotions feel very real emotions… because they are. Emotions are actual chemicals shooting out of your brain in into your body. That’s why you say you feel emotions. …
Is it really as easy as letting go?
Save me from the pillar is a great little story to have in your mind. First of all… it’s really easy to see it in other people. When somebody’s just going crazy about something it’s easy to see. Just think, “Save me from the pillar!” When looking at someone else you can see how easy …
The Prince Remembers
A long time ago in the land of Zen there was a king. He only had one son and he was starting to get old. He started to be concerned that maybe his son was not ready yet to follow him as king. So, as people did back then, he went to the biggest Monastery …