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buddhist things

I'm Only In It For the Metta

I do like me a Rolls Royce

In 1976, when I was five, I was initiated into Transcendental Meditation. Since then I've meditated a whole lot and not-meditated a whole lot. I never did get the big deal about the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. For most of my life I just half-heartedly meditated for a few weeks or months at a time because I found it soothing.

In 2008 I found vipassana (or 'Insight') meditation, via tattooed hot stuff Noah Levine and discovered a whole culture of very nice western Buddhists that I never knew, or cared, existed. My sangha. And the various North American sister sanghas to mine. I'm not really a Buddhist. Yet, maybe. Or ever. Or maybe I am. Don't know, doesn't matter. While to my ear some of the teachings are just snoozy social dogma, tautology, most of it makes sense. And I do so love the loving-kindness.

Audio Dharma

'Audio dharma' just means recorded dharma talks, and guided meditations, that you can listen to in the privacy of your own bath tub. Talks and guided meditations are a really excellent way to dip your toe into meditation, and Buddhism, without having to invest money in classes or retreats, or drive across town to sit in a yoga center with a bunch of somber middle-aged middle class white people. Though classes and retreats can be incredibly worthwhile. And middle-aged middle class white people aren't all that bad. Mostly.

  • AudioDharma.org
  • Buddha Net
  • Dharma Punx: talks by Noah Levine
  • Dharma Seed

    • Just Sit

    make sweet smartphone love to me, gPhone

    Who has a gPhone? Why, I do! And maybe you do too! Do you love your sweet widdle Google phone? I sure do. Do you love to meditate? Hey, me too!

    Go get yerself the free JustSit Android meditation timer so you and your dear wee telephonic device can meditate whenever, wherever you like. 30 seconds or 30 minutes, you've got to sit your sweet ass down and meditate, honey. JustSit is one more way to fool cajole yourself into putting your practice where your mouth is. The alarm is three actual meditation bowl bonnnnngs. Groovy!










    Buddhism Is Full Of Lists

    I'm not kidding. Behold, for a start:

    The Four Noble Truths
    1. Life means suffering.
    2. The origin of suffering is attachment.
    3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.
    4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

    The Eightfold Path
    1. Right View
    2. Right Intention
    3. Right Speech
    4. Right Action
    5. Right Livelihood
    6. Right Effort
    7. Right Mindfulness
    8. Right Concentration

    The Five Precepts
    1. The precept of refraining from killing.
    2. The precept of refraining from stealing.
    3. The precept of refraining from false speech.
    4. The precept of refraining from sexual misconduct.
    5. The precept of refraining from intoxicants that cause heedlessness or loss of awareness.
    The number of precepts can vary, depending on laity vs. monastics, or between Buddhist sects. Ordained Theravadan monks undertake more than 200 precepts. Dig it.

    The Ten Paramis or Perfections
    1. Generosity (Dana)
    2. Virtue (Sila)
    3. Renunciation (Nekkhamma)
    4. Wisdom (Panna)
    5. Energy/Vigor (Viriya)
    6. Patience (Khanti)
    7. Truthfulness (Sacca)
    8. Resolve (Adhitthana)
    9. Lovingkindness (Metta)
    10. Equanimity (Upekkha)
    Paramis are the qualities of character that can be developed to support the path of awakening.

    The Three Jewels

    There are 3, you know.

    How To Meditate
    Or
    How I Meditate

    Can I just tell you? And I will, yes indeed.

    Something Lovely

    Just you wait, it'll be so very interesting!