While there are many apps, books, and techniques for introducing children to Mindfulness practices, some techniques are very simple, almost intuitive and easy to teach. Lillian Pransky is a mom,…
BZNinsightAdminJune 29, 2016
1 incarceration may teach you some skills. Did you learn any? 2 Will any of these skills help you on the outside? 3 How many of you will have a…
BZNinsightAdminJune 29, 2016
Maezumi Roshi asked a student who was also a carpenter to remodel their zendo. After a suitable amount of time had passed, Roshi asked the student when it might be…
BZNinsightAdminJune 29, 2016
In Montana on September 27th, 2015 I tried to see the ”super moon” which was combined with a lunar eclipse. I figured I should try because this combination of events…
BZNinsightAdminJune 29, 2016
His Holiness The Dalai Lama made a statement recently on Rebirth/Reincarnation. He stated that he might not be “reborn”. This is excerpt from Reuters: “The 14th Dalai Lama, in exile…
BZNinsightAdminJune 29, 2016
While the path to spiritual liberation is clearly marked for us, it is a long and difficult journey. In spite of determined efforts to cultivate and sustain our meditation practice,…
BZNinsightAdminJune 29, 2016
We all experience difficult emotions. These are primarily two types; craving/wanting and anger/resentment/fear. Our usual response to craving is to do whatever it takes to get it, then we feel…
BZNinsightAdminJune 29, 2016
Forgiveness and gentleness go hand in hand. In fact, it’s hard to imagine gentleness forgiveness and hard to imagine true forgiveness without a gentleness component. The 2014 Winter Olympics was…
BZNinsightAdminJune 29, 2016
Buddha taught five “Boundless Mind States” of loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity. He likely put loving-kindness first because it is an open hearted goodwill toward all beings. By placing compassion…
BZNinsightAdminJune 29, 2016
In a short Sutta in the Udana collection, Buddha gives advice to his attendant Meghiya on the five supports for the development of spiritual maturity. In the Sutta Meghiya is…
BZNinsightAdminJune 29, 2016
Right Speech ( Kind, gentle, not harsh, not divisive, truthful, not idle) Right Tweet Right Blog Right email Right facebook Right voice mail Right texting Right facial gestures Right Mudra…
BZNinsightAdminJune 29, 2016
Our intentions plant the seeds for both happiness and suffering. Buddhist teachings offer four sublime seeds for the cultivation of true happiness. They are called the Divine Abodes; loving-kindness; compassion;…
BZNinsightAdminJune 29, 2016
Mindfulness is not limited to meditation. Eating is a source of nourishment, enjoyment, socialization as well as an opportunity to be mindfully present. Below are some questions regarding eating and…
BZNinsightAdminJune 29, 2016
The teaching of dependent origination (DO) is one of the heartwood teachings of the Buddha. In describing the 12 steps of this cycle he outlined how it is that we…
BZNinsightAdminJune 29, 2016
The Buddha's Words on Kindness (Metta Sutta) This is what should be done By one who is skilled in goodness, And who knows the path of peace: Let them be…
BZNinsightAdminJune 28, 2016
Once upon a time there lived a stonecutter, who went every day to a great rock in the side of a big mountain and cut out slabs for houses. He…
BZNinsightAdminJune 28, 2016
Why am I talking about this? Taking teachings into our lives. Not just sitting meditation or getting Samadhi! Concentration is door to Awareness and Awakening IN THIS VERY LIFE The…
BZNinsightAdminJune 28, 2016
When the Buddha took up the task of promoting the welfare and happiness of all beings he did so by teaching both householders and monastics how to live in accordance…
BZNinsightAdminJune 28, 2016
Let’s start with the premise that we all want to be happy. Happiness is living in harmony with the truth of this unfolding present moment. Our mindfulness practice trains the…
BZNinsightAdminJune 28, 2016
We may wonder why is it that we meditate? It seems like such a simple activity as sitting and watching the breath rise and fall would have very little benefit…
BZNinsightAdminJune 28, 2016
There is a practice in the Thai and Burmese tradition called Wisdom Resolutions. This is taught in the West by teachers such as Jack Kornfield and others in the Theravada…
BZNinsightAdminJune 28, 2016
I recently read a book entitled “Double Take” written by Kevin Michael Connolly. Kevin was born in 1985 in Helena Montana and was a typical young man in every way…
BZNinsightAdminJune 28, 2016
Having a spiritual practice isn’t easy. It requires a desire for peace and clarity, effort, continuation/persistence and reflection to see if we are on the path. A recent psychological study…
BZNinsightAdminJune 28, 2016
This week we will examine our relationship with Truthfulness. Truthfulness is one of the 10 Paramis (perfections/adornments) of a mind moving toward freedom from greed, hatred and delusion- a peaceful…
BZNinsightAdminJune 28, 2016
Hello Sangha members. I hope you all are well, happy and at peace. Autumn is the time of year when we begin to notice seasonal changes all around us. Have…
BZNinsightAdminJune 28, 2016
This Third Foundation of Mindfulness is difficult to meditate upon for several reasons: 1. It is very subtle. 2. It changes much faster than the body or feelings. 3. One…
BZNinsightAdminJune 28, 2016
Doubt is one of the Five Hindrances that the Buddha discusses in the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness found in the Foundation of Mindfulness Sutta also known as Satipatthana Sutta. The…
BZNinsightAdminJune 28, 2016
My teacher once told me “this entire spiritual practice is about death”. He didn’t elaborate and I didn’t ask for an explanation (probably should have). But as time has passed…
BZNinsightAdminJune 27, 2016
Reflections for Meditations Sometimes I go about in Pity for myself And all the while A great wind blows me across the sky. This could easily have been a text…
BZNinsightAdminJune 27, 2016
There are four focuses of the Paramita (Perfection of Mind) of Determination. They are; Generosity, Peace, Truthfulness and Wisdom. Wisdom (clarity) arises from many sources and practices but asking questions…
BZNinsightAdminJune 27, 2016
If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear. Pooh’s…
BZNinsightAdminJune 27, 2016
Mudita (Pali) (Appreciative Joy) is the joy that arises in us as a result of the happiness and good fortune of others. This is our free sample of enlightenment. Since…
BZNinsightAdminJune 27, 2016
Mindfulness of thinking continues the effort to broaden the field of awareness. Thoughts can be primarily words, primarily images or a combination. Anything imagined is regarded as a thought. Our…
BZNinsightAdminJune 27, 2016
Mindfulness of Mental states continues the effort to broaden the field awareness and to see more clearly how our minds function. Mental States are a series of moments of awareness…
BZNinsightAdminJune 27, 2016
(Try practicing this for 10- 15 minutes daily) • Settle into a comfortable sitting position. • Close your eyes, either partially or completely. • Soften the muscles in your face…
BZNinsightAdminJune 27, 2016
One of the most revered mind states in Buddhist practice is the four practices of the Brahma Viharas (also known as the Divine Abodes). The mind states of Loving-kindness, Compassion,…
BZNinsightAdminJune 27, 2016
Diamond Sutra Thus shall you think of all this fleeting world: A star at dawn, a dewdrop in the morning sun, A bubble in a mountain stream; A flash of…
BZNinsightAdminJune 27, 2016
There are many teachings about Karma. Most of them define karma as “action”. In some teachings karma is meant to explain everything that happens and that our past actions (our…
BZNinsightAdminJune 27, 2016
There is sutta called Piyajatika Sutta (From One Who is Dear Sutta ) that created quite a commotion). The sutta describes a householder whose son had died and was unable…
BZNinsightAdminJune 27, 2016
Buddha described Eight Factors on a path to liberation from greed , hatred, and ignorance. They were meant to encompass every aspect of our lives. Right Livelihood is the third…
BZNinsightAdminJune 27, 2016
We bring peace to the world one person, one moment and one word and action at a time. We do this with our smile, our generosity, our kindness, compassion, and…
BZNinsightAdminJune 26, 2016
There are 10 paramis/paramitas (perfections of the mind) in the Theravada tradition. They are adornments of the mind; qualities that we develop as our spiritual practice ripens. They have as…
BZNinsightAdminJune 26, 2016
In a discourse given by the Buddha, he outlined five subjects that should be contemplated often. They are: • I am subject to aging; I have not gone beyond aging.…
BZNinsightAdminJune 26, 2016
Ring the bells that still can ring.
Forget your perfect offering.
There is a crack in everything.
That's how the light gets in. Leonard Cohen The Five lay precepts are…
BZNinsightAdminJune 26, 2016
Equanimity occurs in a number of lists in the Buddhist teachings. And where it occurs it is almost always the last item on the list. I like to pay special…
BZNinsightAdminJune 26, 2016
Most religions (as institutional practices) are an attempt to reconcile the existential issues surrounding life, death, sickness, suffering etc. Buddha didn’t tech “Buddhism” nor did Christ teach “Christianity”. They taught…
BZNinsightAdminJune 26, 2016
Mindfulness is not limited to meditation. Eating is a source of nourishment, enjoyment, socialization as well as an opportunity to be mindfully present. Below are some questions regarding eating and…
BZNinsightAdminJune 26, 2016
Direct Experience. The teachings of Buddha have as one of its fundamental tenets that these teachings should not be believed because of a teacher or because others follow the teachings…
BZNinsightAdminJune 26, 2016
Most people have aspirations for peace and clarity in their lives. Most of us have many aspirations for lots of things! But it’s one thing to have an aspiration (a…
BZNinsightAdminJune 23, 2016
Settle into your sitting position. • Close your eyes, either partially or completely. • Soften the muscles in your face and around your eyes, your shoulders, arms and hands, your…
BZNinsightAdminJune 23, 2016
The Buddhist tradition emphasizes Sunyata, or radiant and infinite openness/emptiness. The Bodhisattva (awakened/ing being) epitomizes the union of wisdom and compassion with an unselfish attitude manifesting as actions in the…
BZNinsightAdminJune 23, 2016
Take a few deep breaths Now let the breath become shorter and calmer Pay attention to wherever you feel the breath. It may be at the nose tip, the chest…
BZNinsightAdminJune 23, 2016
When Siddhartha Gautama realized enlightenment and release from the grasp of greed, hatred and confusion, among many things he had an entirely new perspective on the uses (and also the…
BZNinsightAdminJune 23, 2016
Protection, Reassurance, Blessing, Fear Not Abhaya in Sanskrit means fearlessness. Thus this mudra symbolizes protection, peace, and the dispelling of fear. It is made with the right hand raised to…
Nick WoodwardJune 22, 2016
This week choose and practice one or more of the basic tenets of Nonharming described below. This will greatly strengthen mindfulness. Work with that precept daily and with meticulous care…
BZNinsightAdminJune 23, 2016
Most of us want something! We may want happiness, peace, clarity, joy, excitement, enlightenment and so on. We might even want an end to wanting. Buddha taught that we can…
BZNinsightAdminJune 23, 2016
(Adapted from “Awakening the Buddhist Heart” by Lama Surya Das) This exercise is devoted to setting aside one day to devote to Right Speech. We will commit to using speech…
BZNinsightAdminJune 23, 2016
It is important to understand that these are guidelines for your practice, not rules. Attitude: • Don’t expect anything: Just sit back and see what happens. • Don’t strain: Don’t…
BZNinsightAdminJune 23, 2016
Working With Five Hindrances
to a Calm Mind and Meaningful Relationships Its All Connected! Saturday, June 25th 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Led by
Floyd Fantelli This Day-long Retreat will…
BZNinsightAdminJune 9, 2016
HERE IS SOMETHING TO PONDER FOR THIS LESSON PATIENCE If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has…
BZNinsightAdminJune 7, 2016
The Seven Enlightenment (Awakening) Factors Sutra Again, bhikkhus, one dwells contemplating mind-objects (dhammas) as mind- objects (dhammas) in terms of the seven enlightenment factors. And how does one dwell contemplating…
BZNinsightAdminJune 7, 2016
The Seven Enlightenment (Awakening) Factors Sutra. Again, one dwells contemplating mind-objects (dhammas) as mind-objects (dhammas) in terms of the seven enlightenment factors. And how does one dwell contemplating mind-objects as…
BZNinsightAdminJune 7, 2016
The Four Noble Truths Sutra TWO YEAR TRAINING MEDITATION #55 SATIPATTHANA SUTRA MINDFULNESS OF DHAMMAS/MIND OBJECTS FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS - #1 Again, one dwells contemplating mind-objects (dhammas) as mind-objects (dhammas)…
BZNinsightAdminJune 7, 2016
The Four Noble Truths Sutra Again, bhikkhus, one dwells contemplating mind-objects (dhammas) as mind- objects (dhammas) in terms of the Four Noble Truths. And how does a one dwell contemplating…
BZNinsightAdminJune 7, 2016
The Four Noble Truths Sutra Again, bhikkhus, one dwells contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects (dhammas) in terms of the Four Noble Truths. And how does one dwell contemplating mind-objects as mind-objects…
BZNinsightAdminJune 7, 2016
Sutra Here, a bhikkhu understands as it actually is: “This is the cessation of suffering” And what is the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering? It is the complete…
BZNinsightAdminJune 7, 2016
The Four Noble Truths Sutra Again, bhikkhus, one dwells contemplating mind-objects (dhammas) as mind-objects (dhammas) in terms of the Four Noble Truths. And how does one dwell contemplating mind-objects as…
BZNinsightAdminJune 7, 2016
The Four Noble Truths Sutra Again, bhikkhus, one dwells contemplating mind-objects (dhammas) as mind-objects (dhammas) in terms of the Four Noble Truths. And how does one dwell contemplating mind-objects as…
BZNinsightAdminJune 7, 2016
