You, Yourself January 4, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Life Balance, Meditation, Mindfulness.Tags: Buddha, Happines, Life Balance, Meditation, Mindfulness, Peace
56 comments
You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. ~ Buddha
Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly. ~ St. Francis de Sales
Allow peace to surface. Circulate happiness, curiosity, creativity. Share what you’ve learned. Live on the razor’s edge of the now ~ awake, aware, alert, present. Reclaim your passion. Savor the silence. Let go of stale thinking. Choose your response.
Be here now.
Aah . . . that’s better!
How To Meditate October 8, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Meditation, Mindfulness, Writing & Writers.Tags: Buddha, DP Challenge, Health, Humor, Meditation, Mindfulness
107 comments
Welcome to Beginner’s Meditation.
I’m your instructor and will walk you through the basics. Soon, with a little practice, you’ll be able to mediate like The Buddha.
OK, let’s start:
Find a comfortable place to sit quietly without distractions.
No, you may not keep your cell phone with you. Please put it away.
Sit there, quietly, without distractions for . . .
What are you doing?
No. I said, “sit down,” not “lie down and fall asleep.”
I need you to wake up and stop snoring ~ it’s disruptive!
Great. Sit there, quietly, without distractions for . . .
Put down the remote. Put it down. You cannot watch TV and meditate simultaneously.
No, no video games either.
That’s it. Focus on your breath . . .
Whose laptop is that? Please, turn off your computer.
If I hear it say, “You’ve got mail,” one more time, you’re going to be in big trouble, mister!
That’s it. Focus on your breath.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
No, you don’t need your own specialized, personalized, individualized mantra to meditate. What you need is to F-O-C-U-S.
Just stop talking and F-O-C-U-S . . .
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Breathe . . .
Turn it off. Turn it off NOW. Don’t make me come over there.
Well, when I said, “Cell phones,” I meant Blackberries and PDA’s as well.
That’s it . . . Breathe in. Breathe out.
Stop it. Stop laughing.
I mean it. I’m serious about this, people. This is my job.
Listen to me. Please.
Well, actually, strike that.
Listen to your breath, not me. I’m not supposed to be talking either.
That’s it. Focus on your breath.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
OK, that was a good start. Let’s call it a day and try again tomorrow.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Quote to Ponder: When the world recedes, you hold infinity in your grasp.
Related posts: Meditation 101 * Daily Press Weekly Writing Challenge ~ And Now For Something Completely Different
Aah . . . That’s Better! April 26, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Mindfulness, Nature, Travel & Leisure.Tags: Buddha, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota Florida
50 comments
Yesterday, we visited Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota Florida.
We enjoyed perfect weather for our stroll around the grounds.
We spotted a manatee in the bay . . . and a leopard in the grass.
We watched some not-so-coy Koi having lunch . . . with baby ducks.
We admired the flowers . . . and rubbed Buddha’s belly for good luck.
We relaxed by a waterfall cascading into still waters.
We allowed the ever-present peace within to surface.
And . . . we stuck our heads into the hollow of this monolith.
Put your head in the hollow of the stone and hum different notes. When you hit the right note, you will feel a gentle vibrating sensation in your body. The result is a harmonious feeling of well-being.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Cats hold our hearts in steady gaze . . . October 9, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Amazing Animals, Meditation, Mindfulness, Poetry.Tags: Buddha, Buddhism, Cats, Meditation, Mindfulness, Poetry
47 comments
Cats hold our hearts in steady gaze . . .
Source of Graphic: Buddhism (Facebook)
Let Them Eat Cake . . . And Ice Cream September 23, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Food & Drink, Gratitude, Happiness.Tags: Buddha, Cake, Donuts, Food, Gratitude, Ice Cream
37 comments
Faces pressed to glass
‘neath Buddha’s serene smile
Sticky sweet pleasures
“Hey mon! I see dat
happiness all oova ya.”
“Ya, mon. Sticky sweet.”
Butterscotch Brickle
drips down the cone, futilely
trying to escape
Waitress features pies
but we break-fast on slices
of coconut cake
* * * * *
How about you? What are your favorite sweet treats?
Sweet synchronicity: On Food ~ Let Them Eat Macaroons (Mirth & Motivation)
Between a Rock and a Buddha Place June 26, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Life Balance, Meditation, Mindfulness.Tags: Buddha, Buddhism, Humor, Meditation, Mindfulness
25 comments
Someone once accused me of not being a Buddhist monk.
The accusation didn’t bother me since (1) I’m not Buddhist; (2) I’ve never aspired to Monkdom; and (3) I don’t care what others think of me.
If someone wants to waste time judging me and my perceived spiritual short-comings, that’s their business.
Although the intended insult bounced off its mark, it did get me thinking . . .
Where am I on my spiritual path?
After mindful consideration of that question, the answer floated up to me:
Between a rock and a Buddha place.
Both sit in silent stillness. Neither are impacted by stress and dis-ease. Both are accepting of the environment around them. Neither are angry, greedy, envious, or jealous.
But only one is fully awake and aware.
At this point, I’m probably closer to the rock than the Buddha place.
That’s okay . . .
Most Buddhas start out as rocks and emerge only after they mindfully chisel away everything that doesn’t look like a Buddha.
No rules. Just write!
Related posts: We Travel Best When We Travel Light * Happiness: A Theory of Relativity
Waking Up June 17, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Poetry, Synchronicity & Mystery.Tags: Buddha, Jigsaw puzzle, Mindfulness, Synchronicity
34 comments
As we awaken from a slumber
That has permeated our being
We relish each moment
And allow life to unfold
At its own pace
We enter the flow
And feel at one with the world
We embrace our dreams
And use our own definition of “perfect”
Life begins to fit
Like a custom tailored suit
Instead of someone else’s castoffs
Things fall into place
Without chafing
The jigsaw puzzle takes shape
Harmony and synchronicity
Reveal the mystery
Are any pieces missing?
No rules. Just write!
What about you?
Do you feel, at times, like your life is a jigsaw puzzle awaiting completion?
Related posts: Commit To Sit * It’s Time To Wake Up * Awakening to the Sacred * The Awakening by Sonny Carroll
Photo Challenge ~ Round April 30, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Humor, Life Balance.Tags: Buddha, Donuts, Doughnuts, Gratitude, Happiness, Mindfulness, Round
33 comments
”What are you ~ a god, an angel, a saint?”
“No,” replied The Buddha, “I am A-W-A-K-E.”
Related posts: Weekly Photo Challenge: Round * Round (Creating Magic) * Round (The Laughing Housewife) * Round (Jeanne’s Blog) * Mirth & Motivation
Loving Kindness & Compassion February 27, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Books & Movies, Gratitude, Happiness, Spirit & Ego.Tags: Buddha, Gratitude, Happiness, Loving-kindness, Random act of kindness
43 comments
The WordPress Theme of the day is Random Acts of Kindness which raises the question: Why be kind?
Why practice loving kindness and compassion?
* To gain brownie points with acquaintances?
* To earn a seat in heaven?
* To please God?
* To honor Buddha?
* To create good karma for this (or the next) life?
It’s even simpler than that . . .
Being kind makes us happy. Right here. Right now.
Eight Steps To Happiness
The sacred art of developing love and compassion using the ancient eight verse Buddhist poem called “Eight Verses of Training the Mind” is addressed in Eight Steps To Happiness:
This immensely practical book charts a complete path of spiritual development.
As a commentary to one of Buddhism’s best-loved and most enduring teachings, Eight Verses of Training the Mind by the great Tibetan Bodhisattva Langri Tangpa, it explains how to transform every moment of our life into a step on the path to inner peace, and in particular how to transform all of life’s difficulties into truly liberating experiences.
Geshe Kelsang shows how all our problems originate from a deeply ingrained tendency to cherish oneself more than others. He explains simple methods to eradicate this stultifying perspective and replace it with a genuine wish to cherish others – the source of all goodness and happiness in this world.
This ancient poem illustrates: (1) how to grow in loving kindness, gratitude and humility, (2) the danger of selfish intentions, and (3) how to practice understanding and compassion.
Kindness Echoes
If we want to transform adversity, reduce suffering, and gain understanding, we must practice compassion.
If we want to establish harmony with the environment and those around us, we must practice compassion.
If we want to develop inner peace and happiness, we must practice compassion.
Whether we have 5 minutes or 5 hours, we can be the change we wish to see in the world . . . transforming ripples of loving kindness into tidal waves of love and compassion.
Quotes to ponder:
* Always try to be a little kinder than is necessary. ~ James M. Barrie
* The older you get, the more you realize that kindness is synonymous with happiness. ~ Lionel Barrymore
* Kindness is its own reward. ~ Maxim
* Do not overlook any good actions, thinking they are of no benefit; even tiny drops of water in the end will fill a huge vessel. ~ The Buddha
* When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. ~ Jimi Hendrix
No rules. Just write!
What about you? Do you gain happiness when you extend loving kindness and compassion towards others?
Does sharing and caring benefit you as well as those you serve?
Related posts: Tell Me Lies, Tell Me Sweet Little Lies * Dalai Lama: Inner Peace & Happiness * Generosity of Spirit * What is True Happiness? (Always Well Within) * Cultivating Happiness, Not Hedonism * I Plead The Fifth (The Laughing Housewife) * Charter for Compassion (Creating Reciprocity)
Aphorisms from Aa to Zz: Kk August 4, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Gratitude, Happiness, People.Tags: Buddha, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Happiness, Karma, Kindness, Lama Surya Das
9 comments
Karma
The universe is a karma machine. Collective karma shapes our world; individual karma shapes our personal destiny. ~ Lama Surya Das
Even if we don’t believe in Karma, our actions have consequences since they impact what we think of ourselves when we see “the man in the mirror.”
I’ve never liked the quote, “Good guys finish last,” because it implies that greed, and power, and arrogance will get you to the finish line first . . . but that’s not the finish line that I’m aiming for.
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. ~ Mahatma Gandhi
If the whole world followed you, would you be pleased with where you took it? – Neale Donald Walsch
Karma is the law of cosmic cause and effect. For every action, there is a reaction. As we sow, so shall we reap. The more you give, the more you get back. ~ Lama Surya Das
Do not overlook any good actions, thinking they are of no benefit; even tiny drops of water in the end will fill a huge vessel. ~ The Buddha
Do not overlook negative actions merely because they are small; however small a spark may be, it can burn down a haystack as big as a mountain. ~ The Buddha
Skillful action is cultivated and encouraged because it helps lay the groundwork for good karma. When we behave in ways that reflect wisdom, sanity, and compassion, we produce better results. ~ Lama Surya Das
Kindness
You have not lived a perfect day unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you. – Ruth Smeltzer
The more you focus on viewing others with love, kindness, compassion, and acceptance, the more your view and God’s view will merge.
Each day, practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.
Whether we have 5 minutes, 5 hours, or all day, we can be the change we wish to see in the world . . . transforming ripples of kindness and peace into a tidal wave of love and compassion.
Kindness is key. ~ Axiom
We can change the world . . . one random act of kindness at a time.
Kindness is its own reward. ~ Maxim
Always try to be a little kinder than is necessary. ~ James M. Barrie
The older you get, the more you realize that kindness is synonymous with happiness. ~ Lionel Barrymore
Kindness echoes ~ Mother Teresa
When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. ~ Jimi Hendrix
Listen to your heart, it’s calling to you.
Be guided by the heart in all you do.
To handle yourself, use your head. To handle others, use your heart. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Related Post: Karma’s A Bitch (PB & Chutney)
