I’ve not posted here at Metta Refuge for quite a while, which I something I plan to remedy, and I thought I would begin by sharing an excerpt of a wonderful talk from my heart teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh. It’s called “Healing Through Resting,” though it could just as well be called “Healing Through Resting […]
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Tag Archives: Zen
Ken Mcleod on how to use Thich Nhat Hanh’s Five-Step Method of Emotional Releasing
2013/07/10 
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One of the most skillful Buddhist teachers I know of and someone whose skillful teachings have brought immense healing into my life is Ken McLeod. I can’t recommend enough his book: Wake up to your Life: Discovering the Buddhist Path of Attention or his wonderful Unfettered Mind website: http://www.unfetteredmind.org/ which has dozens and dozens of […]
Continue reading Some Helpful Suggestions on Working with the “What is this?” Koan
2012/02/12 6 Comments
Recently, I have been focusing on working with the Zen koan, “What is this?” This is not really a question to be answered with the conceptual mind or mental analysis, but more of a way of being with things with an openness and inquisitiveness into “what is.” This “What is this?” path or practice is […]
Continue reading The Bodhisattva Vow-the whole thing is hopeless, but we’ll do it
2011/05/06 2 Comments
A hazy autumn moon, solitary and full, falls as it may on the winding river ahead. There are those who seek perfect clarity, yet sweep as you may, you cannot empty the mind. (The Capping Verse to Dongshan and Shenshan Cross the River) “You can’t teach someone to walk a tightrope wire by telling them […]
Continue reading The Truth of Silent Illumination
2010/10/12 4 Comments
Silently and serenely one forgets all words; Clearly and vividly That appears… When one realizes it, it is vast and without limit; It is Essence, it is pure awareness. Singularly reflecting in this bright awareness, Full of wonder in this pure reflection… Infinite wonder permeates this serenity; In this Illumination all intentional efforts vanish. Silence […]
Continue reading The Mind of Absolute Trust-Seng-Ts’an
2010/03/23 3 Comments
One of the most beloved teachings of Zen is the Xinxin Ming (Hsin Hsin Ming) by Jianzhi Sengcan (Seng-ts’an), the Third Patriarch of Chinese Zen. Over the years, the title Xinxin Ming has been translated numerous ways: Inscription on Trust in the Mind, Verses on the Faith Mind, On Believing in Mind, Inscribed on the […]
Continue readingA Koan on Life and Death and What is Permanent
2010/02/02 2 Comments
I came upon this koan this morning, and it felt like a perfect follow-up to yesterday’s post: Groundhog Day and the serious problem of impermanence May this koan be a gentle nudge, or thunderclap, that leads to awakening—just this. Coming empty-handed, going empty-handed — that is human. When you are born, where do you come […]
Continue reading The Ten Ox-herding Images of Zen
2009/12/20 3 Comments
I thought I’d do something different and fun in this post, and take a look at probably the most beloved images in Zen Buddhism. Known as The Ten Ox-herding Pictures, they have been the source of endless commentary and inspiration in Zen since at least the 12th century. From the first time I saw them, […]
Continue readingMay All Beings Be Happy
- Looking at the Ninth Zen Precept-I Do Not Indulge In Anger
- True God, True Buddha
- The Difference Between Compassion and “Idiot Compassion”
- Ajahn Brahmavamso teaches Loving-kindness Meditation
- Now-and-Zen-Are you still carrying her?
- A Buddhist Mantra based on the Prayer of St. Francis
- Mindfulness of Breathing-The Anapanasati Sutta
- Buddhist Forgiveness-When We Have Hurt Another-Part 3
- Practicing the Middle Way-not too much, not too little
- Healing the Body with Mindfulness of Breathing
- Look at the Three Characteristics in Terms of Actions
- Thich Nhat Hanh – Healing Through Resting in the Breath
- How Metta Can Help You When Meditation is Hindered by Overwhelming Feelings
- The Importance of Taking the “Should” out of Spiritual Practice
- Can We “Choose” to Be Happy? No—and Yes!
- Ken Mcleod on how to use Thich Nhat Hanh’s Five-Step Method of Emotional Releasing
- Non-resistance and the Art of Resisting without Resisting!
- Don’t be fooled! There is a Way and We Can Walk It!
- The Importance of Compassion in Assessing Our Dharma Progress
- Jesus and the Buddha on Good Friday
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