Meditation

Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state.

Meditation is practiced in numerous religious traditions. Asian meditative techniques have spread to other cultures where they have found application in non-spiritual contexts, such as business and health.

Defining meditation has proven difficult due to its wide range of practices across different traditions. In popular usage, "meditation" is often used imprecisely to designate practices aimed at training attention, calmness, or compassion. There is no universally accepted definition. Theories and practices differ within traditions, with some emphasizing the inseparability of meditation from their cultural and religious contexts, while others focus on its role in achieving a relaxed or devout state.

Meditation may significantly reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and pain, and enhance peace, peace, self-concept, and well-being. Research is ongoing to better understand the effects of meditaion on health (psychological, neurological, and cardiovascular) and other areas.

- Wikipedia

What does meditation involve? Simply put, you just sit silently and witness your mind-process, while keeping your attention on the breath.

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Buddha was asked, “What have you gained from meditation?” He replied, “Nothing! However, let me tell you what I have lost: anger, anxiety, depression, insecurity, fear of old age and death.” - Unknown

All too often people come to meditation in the hope of extraordinary results, like visions, lights, or some supernatural miracle. When no such thing occurs, they feel extremely disappointed. But the real miracle of meditation is more ordinary and much more useful. - Sogyal Rinpoche

{While meditating} I sit quietly and rest in the nature of mind; I don't question or doubt whether I am in the "correct" state or not. There is no effort, only rich understanding, wakefulness, and unshakable certainty. When I am in the nature of mind, the ordinary mind is no longer there. There is no need to sustain or confirm a sense of being: I simply am. - Sogyal Rinpoche

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Wishing you a pleasant experience on your spiritual journey.

Namaste 🙏

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God

Can there be a Creator, a God? People believe in so many Gods. Which one is the correct, true God? If God created man, who created God? So many questions and no answers. So, one either believes blindly that there is a God, or that the idea of a God is ridiculous.

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Are you a God-fearing man? That is such a strange phrase. I’ve always thought of God as a teacher; a bringer of light, wisdom, and understanding. - Magneto

Because let’s be honest, the idea of a god sending himself to sacrifice himself to save us from himself is a little bit much for any sane, logical person to accept. - Unknown

Do not be too quick to condemn the man who no longer believes in God: for it is perhaps your own coldness and avarice and mediocrity and materialism and selfishness that have chilled his faith. - Thomas Merton

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Wishing you a pleasant experience on your spiritual journey.

Namaste 🙏

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'Vital' Energy (Chi)

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'Vital' energy is always there. It runs through all of life. It connects our bodies with our minds and souls. It links us with other people, with our homes and nature, with the universe and with the highest spiritual power.

When our vital energy is sluggish or unawakened, life seems dull or difficult. We seem to move thorough life as if through treacle. Relationships seem difficult; we feel constantly under par in our bodies; work is a chore; our homes never feel quite right. On the other hand, if our energy is running out of control, life is a roller-coaster: we feel constantly stressed and strained, our nerves jangle, we seem to exist in a melee of arguments and irritability.

However, once we start to recognize vital energy and begin to work with it, everything can change. Our lives can take on fresh meaning and purpose. When our own vital energy is moving smoothly and serenely through us, we can enjoy radiant good health, abundant vitality and a sense of ease in our bodies. Our relationships become honest, exciting and supportive. Our homes become places of serenity and joy, filled with a warm, embracing atmosphere. We start to feel a link of kinship with the whole of creation – from urban cityscape to the wild elements of nature. Work and play become intermingled – fulfilling, exciting and creative. Best of all, we no longer feel alone in a large, often frightening universe: we become linked to spirit, joined to the source of all energy.

I can't remember where I got the above from.

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Wishing you a pleasant experience on your spiritual journey.

Namaste 🙏

Thank you for stopping by. Follow me if you find my posts interesting. If you know of anyone who might appreciate them, do recommend the blog to them.
Please refer to the right hand side of the page for related Spiritual topics.

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Cheers!

Christianity

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Christianity is most admirably adapted to the training of slaves, to the perpetuation of a slave society; in short, to the very conditions confronting us to-day.... The rulers of the earth have realized long ago what potent poison inheres in the Christian religion. That is the reason they foster it; that is why they leave nothing undone to instil it into the blood of the people. They know only too well that the subtleness of the Christian teachings is a more powerful protection against rebellion and discontent than the club or the gun. - Emma Goldman

For many centuries after the establishment of Christianity, mankind became more barbarous, ignorant, and miserable than before, instead of assisting the human mind in its progress to improvement, that system completely retarded it; a gloomy superstition, which sprung out of these gospels, cramped its energies, and fettered its exertions; instead of guiding society to freedom, peace, and happiness, there was founded on the authority of these writings a system of the most horrible and debasing oppression. - Ethan Allen

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Wishing you a pleasant experience on your spiritual journey.

Namaste 🙏

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The Noble Eightfold Path

What I like about Buddhism is that it is philosophical, factual, practical and easy to understand. No dramas, no confusing big words. Most importantly, it doesn’t demand blind faith. You are invited to explore, to test the theories, the Teachings. Only when you are satisfied and find them to be true, then you believe them. You are free to reject them if you are not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt.

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The Noblefold Eight Fold Path is one of the principal summaries of the Buddhist teachings.

The following is taken from Facebook Page 👉 Tao & Zen

How to Explain Buddha's 8 Fold Path to a Child?

Imagine you're on a journey to become a really kind and happy person. The Buddha, who was a wise teacher, gave us eight important steps to follow on this journey.

1. Right View: This means understanding what is right and what is wrong. For example, if you see someone being bullied at school, you should understand that it's wrong and try to help them. Also, it means that we try to understand why things happen. Why is the bully being unkind, what is happening in their life to cause this?

2. Right Intention: This is about having good thoughts and kind intentions. Like when you decide to share your desert with a friend because you want them to be happy too. Or when you see a wounded bird and want to help them.

3. Right Speech: It's important to speak kindly and truthfully. For instance, if you accidentally break something, you should be honest and tell the truth about it. Also, when angry, we should be careful about what we say to others. Cruel words can hurt people. Kind words will help them.

4. Right Action: This means doing good things and not hurting others. So, for example, you should help your parents at home and help friends when they have a problem. Kind actions are right actions. Anything we do that helps others and does not hurt them is right action.

5. Right Livelihood: This is about earning a living in a way that doesn't harm others. Like when grown-ups have jobs that help people, animals or the environment. If our job is hurting others, we should change what we do.

6. Right Effort: It's important to always try our best and not give up easily. Just like when you learned to ride a bike, you kept trying even if you fell down. In life, you will have the chance to develop many skills. Mistakes are natural, and help us learn. By making an effort, we grow and help others.

7. Right Concentration: This is like focusing your mind to do something well, like when you're practicing piano, reading a book, drawing a picture or playing a sport. When we concentrate well, our skills improve. If we don't concentrate well, we will have trouble growing and learning.

8. Right Mindfulness: This means being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Also, to be aware of where you are and what you are doing right now. For instance, when you're eating, pay attention to how the food tastes and how it makes you feel. Also, being aware of how beautiful nature is, and experiencing a deep connection with your heart. And being aware of other people in trouble, who need help.

These eight steps help us become better people, solve problems and find happiness in our lives.

Tao & Zen, 2024

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Wishing you a pleasant experience on your spiritual journey.

Namaste 🙏

Thank you for stopping by. Follow me if you find my posts interesting. If you know of anyone who might appreciate them, do recommend the blog to them.
Please refer to the right hand side of the page for related Spiritual topics.

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Cheers!

The Bible

How many people read the entire Bible? And can one seriously believe in the Bible after having read it thoroughly? I think anyone with a brain having read the bible would cast the book aside and never believe a word it said.

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The Bible begins with two accounts of Genesis that conflict with each other, and it ends with four accounts of Jesus that conflict with each other. This book has been compiled and changed by numerous hands. The Bible is utterly inconsistent and nonsensical in innumerable places. The author must have a truly warped view of reality to see that as “fitting perfectly into place.” And, if God’s work in creation is so Great, why does it need redemption? Why does God make such an imperfect creation that needs saving, and how can this be called ‘Great?’ The whole plot – God makes a rotten creation that needs saving, so he sends his only-begotten and much-beloved son to be viciously crucified – is grotesque. What kind of almighty creator chooses this as his Creation? - M. Murdock

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Wishing you a pleasant experience on your spiritual journey.

Namaste 🙏

Thank you for stopping by. Follow me if you find my posts interesting. If you know of anyone who might appreciate them, do recommend the blog to them.
Please refer to the right hand side of the page for related Spiritual topics.

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Cheers!

Beliefs

I am all for people believing what they want. But when people try to convince me that their belief is right and want me to follow them in their belief, that is when I get annoyed – very annoyed. Talking about beliefs with me will not end well.

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No amount of belief makes something a fact. - James Randi

A believer is a bird in a cage, a free-thinker is an eagle parting the clouds with tireless wings. - Robert Ingersoll

The less you know the more you believe. - U2

Men in general are quick to believe that which they wish to be true. - Julius Caesar

For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don’t believe, no proof is possible. - Stuart Chase

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Wishing you a pleasant experience on your spiritual journey.

Namaste 🙏

Thank you for stopping by. Follow me if you find my posts interesting. If you know of anyone who might appreciate them, do recommend the blog to them.
Please refer to the right hand side of the page for related Spiritual topics.

You might also like to have a look at my other blog - This Wonder-ful Life

Cheers!

Spiritual Journey

The spirtual journey is a very personal thing. There will sometimes be long periods when you feel you are not getting anywhere. And there will be times when you have a moment of ‘enlightenment’. Like doing a zigsaw puzzle, you found a piece of the puzzle that fits. When that happens, you will feel blissful.

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A life is either all spiritual or not spiritual at all. No man can serve two masters. Your life is shaped by the end you live for. You are made in the image of what you desire. - Thomas Merton

In order to experience everyday spirituality, we need to remember that we are spiritual beings spending some time in a human body. - Barbara De Angelis

Even when we truly understand these matters, the journey of spiritual growth is still so lonely and difficult that we often become discouraged. - M. Scott Peck

Being on a spiritual path does not prevent you from facing times of darkness. But it teaches you how to use the darkness as a tool to grow. - Unknown

Do not ask me where I am going, as I travel in this limitless world, where every step I take is my home. - Dogen

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Wishing you a pleasant experience on your spiritual journey.

Namaste 🙏

Thank you for stopping by. Follow me if you find my posts interesting. If you know of anyone who might appreciate them, do recommend the blog to them.
Please refer to the right hand side of the page for related Spiritual topics.

You might also like to have a look at my other blog - This Wonder-ful Life

Cheers!