Portrayed as a radiant buddha figure, Vajrasattva represents the primordial natural state of pure and total presence – the essence of body, speech and mind activity of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. As a meditation, the primary purpose of Vajrasattva practice is to remove the obstacles obscuring one's perception of the true nature of mind, and … Continue reading Vajrasattva's Hundred Syllable Mantra: a summation of the path
These days I find myself reviewing Prajnaparamita/Madhyamaka philosophy (curtesy of wonderful translations by Karl Brunnholzl) along with some of David Bohm's early writings (particularly his book "Causality and Chance in Modern Physics"). This morning I recalled a poem I wrote in the mid 90s and was amazed at its continuing freshness. I suppose that this … Continue reading Capricious Chance and Steady Causality
The four foundations of mindfulness are often discussed in terms of actively directing mindful awareness towards the body, feelings, states of mind and phenomena. Here is a slightly different approach that you may find enriching. The phrase "awareness of body" most commonly invokes a sense of intently investigating one's body or one's experience of embodiment. … Continue reading Your Body is an Ocean of Awareness
I'm happy to post a newly revised E-book – Satipaṭṭhāna: Foundations of Mindfulness; A Manual for Meditators. This revised edition has been extended from 46 pages to 80. Click here to download the complete text in PDF format. For those of you who are ongoingly working with this teaching, you might consider having it printed and … Continue reading Excerpts from Newly Revised and Extended Satipaṭṭhāna E-book
In high school, I took a course in 'speed reading'. We were lured into it with promises that it would improve our grades and our efforts to "get ahead and succeed in life". They didn't mention, because no-one at that time could know, that it would help us read inter-net screens, blogs, news reports and … Continue reading In Praise of Slow Reading and Old Fashioned Print
Mindfulness has become a popular topic in today's world of therapy, healing and self-help teachings. I wanted to write something from a less common angle, hopefully stimulating possibilities for fresh understanding and appreciation. I began this article in a prose format but then decided to put it into verse form to allow greater opportunity for … Continue reading Mind and Mindfulness
I'd like to begin by briefly sketching out some personal events that led to the ideas in this essay/poem. In my early 20s, while at Kalu Rinpoché's monastery near Sonada, India, I participated in an ancient ceremony in which I and a few other young men, in the presence of a community of monks, yogis … Continue reading Taking Robes: Embracing a Life of Natural Awakening; Reflections on Ordination and Divine Ordinariness
I wake again from a seeming series of wakings, sleepings, dreamings, beings, eyes slowly opening to soft dim dawn. I breathe, May all beings be well and happy. The body aches, patchy sensation, not quite connected thinking and feeling. The birds begin to sing and wrapping all around is a blessing beyond words. And I … Continue reading Early Morning Pith Instruction
with thanks to David French for asking me to write something on this topic Oct 25/15, 5:52 am. I am sitting in my hut at Orgyen Hermitage, our 2 acre block situated in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. The sky appears crystalline, washed with the colours of dawn and framed with silhouettes of trees … Continue reading The Dharma of Illness and The Medicine of Wonderment
Dear Friends on the Path of Dharma If we look deeply around us, we will find ourselves to be living parts of a cresting wave of an ocean of life-unfolding, a world awakening, a mystery embodying. We have been blessed with friendships, and myriad opportunities to cultivate skills in compassion, attentiveness and deepening understanding. We … Continue reading Wholesome Activity – Keep It In The Ground
Green Dharma Treasury 