(This short piece was initially drafted Aug. 10, 201717, at Foz Iquasu, Brazil, and finished in Orgyen Hermitage, New Zealand.) We were recently in Brazil for 5 weeks, exploring dharmas of natural awakening, contemplative science and mahamudra with a large number of people in Sao Paulo, and Botucatu. After three very full weeks of teaching, … Continue reading Brazil, Wholeness and Gratitude
Bodhicitta is an important concept in Mahayana Buddhism that hints at an immense mystery. Literally, the heart or mind (citta) of awakening (bodhi). It is the ground of our being, and the path we walk in learning to live well and meaningfully. It is the fruition of a life illumined with profound understanding. At the … Continue reading With Love and Good Wishes
Gliding through spaces sacred groves of illumination, translucent mind embracing. Consensual drifting these currents of beingness bringing forth worlds – not through language but through love and loving – togetherness nurturing. The rhythms of this breathing, – the music that we are – warm breath a lick of salt. Cascading wonderment whispering . . . … Continue reading Remembering that Precious No-Name Being, "Namgyal"
The knowing that I am is the behaviour of the ocean of being which is all there is to know by the knowing that I am. Like understanding the weather, there are countless factors: some large in form or long in time, some of micro dimension – transient sparks, so many factors communing together making … Continue reading Native to this Earth – a root dharma
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
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 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
In Buddhism, wisdom is not a knowledge of ultimate facts or truth but an ever deepening process of understanding, life enhancing connectivity, and communion. In this sense, wisdom is living. Not something we have, but something we do. It is the fundamental ground that we are. We radically intermingle; cells and organs, minds and bodies, … Continue reading View, Meditation and Action – a path of Wisdom-in-action
Dear Friends Last night, at midnight NZ time June 11 or noon UK time, a friend, colleague and teacher, Sonia Moriceau, let go into the wider life of the planet. I will remember her smile and the mindful way she moved. I will remember that day at Wangapeka during the School of Living Dharma, the … Continue reading Remembering Sonia Moriceau, Ad Brugman and All Beings
Green Dharma Treasury 