Buddhist discussion

June's book is Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Iwould have put it to the poll, but seen as only one nomination was made, I think the result was pretty predictable! Please let us know if you'll be joining us on this book!

It will be my pleasure to join in the reading of this book. I'm currently enjoyed Plant Seed, Pull Weed but I'm at a workshop this week end and will get into a discussion on my impressions of the book early next week.

I will join in with this one, providing I can get the book on time!

Good to have you both on board!

I join, Amanda, with a mindfullness set of mind. Yours in the dharma...

Thanks Amanda!

Wow, we've got more people than I was hoping for! Thanks guys, I'm looking forward to this.

Greetings all! I'm still reading "Plant Seed, Pull Weed" and a thought comes in the way of a quote from the text:; "as we set our intentions and say yes to the things that come our way, these small actions shift our lives" I have to laugh a little since I just finished a training program in Transformative Mediation and the saying the group came up with was "shifts happen". This refers to the mediators task of looking for shifts in interaction, specifically communicative in nature between parties. So I guess it's fitting that this passage stood out as I read. So I am leaving my schedule open to possibilities. New ideas have been interesting and exciting and I welcome the change. My intention is to be willing to try! Our practice makes us more focused and aware of the opportunities that come our way and as a result our lives are indeed transformed. So far in this particular book the author's humor is well appreciated
Will come back again with another thought later.

Hey, Babs, (transformative) mediation or meditation?

Mediation! Although I do meditation on my own, the program I'm involved in works in conjunction with family courts; custody, divorce elder care etc.

Miles away, kudos from this simple human being for that program! (seems to be quite interesting!)

A rather zen message from a secular source! Good advice though.

My copy of "Wherever You Go, There You Are" arrived in the mail today. From a quick look through, I think it's going to be a great read, with lots of practical advice. Looking forward to getting reading!

Lucky Snooze! I'm still waiting for my copy. It must be held up in customs again.

Has anyone else made a start on this book?

I am finding it a really well written introduction to mindfulness and meditation, with lots to think about!

I'm still waiting for my copy. I guess I'm going to have some catching up to do! I'm encouraged by the fact you're enjoying it Snooze!

I read this years ago but would love a reason to read it again. If I can dig up where it is on my bookshelves, count me in!

Meryl Davids Landau
author of the spiritual women's novel, Downward Dog, Upward Fog
"An inspirational gem that will appeal to introspective, evolving women"--ForeWord Reviews

I just got my copy today and have only read the first few pages but the idea that living in anything other than the present moment is nothing more than a dream state made me realize that I've been living most of my life that way even though I've intellectually understood the importance of being present in the moment. It will be an interesting exercise to keep track of how many times throughout the day I find myself thinking about the past or the future and to try to come back to the present by focusing on deep breathing. Is anyone else doing that?

Looking forward to reading this one & joining in the discussion...

Meryl wrote: "I read this years ago but would love a reason to read it again. If I can dig up where it is on my bookshelves, count me in!

Meryl Davids Landau
author of the spiritual women's novel, Downward Dog,..."

Meryl wrote: "I read this years ago but would love a reason to read it again. If I can dig up where it is on my bookshelves, count me in!

Meryl Davids Landau
author of the spiritual women's novel, Downward Dog,..."

When I was 18 and new to meditation(now 37)I tried silently repeating OM in my head(as there were others in the room)while bringing my attention to my breathing. I did not know what to expect! And I believed that I needed to be more present in the now. I thought that taking LSD might enhance the meditation as well although I was fearful of the hallucinations it promised.
So I tried looking at the immediate present through shorter and shorter durations until it became cyclical and I realized that my reasoning was very sequential and that made me feel inadequate.
For us to believe that our comprehension of time is so accurate that it invites us to experience its passing, is sort of ignnorant. That is because the concept of time does not necessarily exist in reality, only in our minds. So when we understand something, that thing or phenomenon may not be reflected on in reality now or ever.
Then the drugs made me fearful of my own mortality. And the next time I used them I percieved my clouded vision as a premonition.