My mornings are often filled with negative self-talk and nerves-wrecking inner-chatter. I have decided to dive into the Nembutsu practice headfirst and abandon any efforts to reconcile it with my rational mind. Not because I think that Nembutsu would not pass the scrutiny of my rational mind but because there is nothing rational about my … Continue reading 4.02.20. Nembutsu.
Tag: pure land
10 Dec 19. Nembutsu.
I like getting up in the morning. Because of: my family, dog, books, music, gym, food, meditation, running, coffee, guitar and swimming. I hate getting up in the morning. Because of the anxious thoughts that torment me as soon as I open my eyes. Here is the drill. First, my mind displays a vision of … Continue reading 10 Dec 19. Nembutsu.
24 Jul 19. Annica on steroids.
Every year I visit my hometown in Poland. Being there only once a year gives me a unique opportunity to observe impermanence in action: how people and places change, getting older by a year in a split second when my ghostly memory is confronted by its ghostly apparition. A few days ago, while in Poland, … Continue reading 24 Jul 19. Annica on steroids.
18 Apr.
I have memorised almost the whole “Faith in Mind” already. I learn and recite more or less all the time. My wife got used to it. I recite even when I walk my dog. My dog got used to it. Weather in Ireland is horrible. There I am walking among spasmodic tree branches and trembling … Continue reading 18 Apr.
29 Mar.
I like walking my dog beacuse I like walking. And I like my dog. My dog is the happiest creature I have ever met (except for my daughter - up to the age of 4) even though he doesn't even own a pair of pants. I enjoy our walks also because I can be alone … Continue reading 29 Mar.
The End Draws Near — Great Middle Way
I have never shared any WordPress post on this blog before. Below quote summarises everything I appreciate about Pure Land Buddhism. And it arrived exactly when I needed it. And I needed it badly. My mind relies on nothing, so when night falls, I simply stop. My body lives nowhere, so at the break of … Continue reading The End Draws Near — Great Middle Way
5 Feb. My great-grandmother.
Last night, I dreamed about rocks falling from the sky. During the night a storm would lift them up and shoot them into the sky. They left trails of red sparks behind them. During the day, they fell down. Yesterday, I meditated with Zen Soto folks. The teacher gave a talk about Zen ancestors. Towards … Continue reading 5 Feb. My great-grandmother.
7 Dec. As-it-is.
I got up at 3 AM like a complete fool again. I sat down to meditate at 4. I started off with 500 Nembutsu recitations, followed by 50 minutes of shikantaza. It was hard. It was easy. Suffering is caused by ego. More ego = more suffering. More humility = less suffering. This is what … Continue reading 7 Dec. As-it-is.
4 Dec. Morning sitting. Shikantaza. Nembutsu.
With Soto Zen folks on Monday night again. It was so quiet in the dojo. No unnecessary sounds. No unnecessary movements. There were sounds of the street coming in through the window. I could hear them clearly. At the same time, it was quiet in the dojo. If you know what I mean. After meditation … Continue reading 4 Dec. Morning sitting. Shikantaza. Nembutsu.
1 Dec.
I went to sit with Soto Zen folks again. I had to drive all the way to Dublin. The room was very cold. We sat from 7.30 PM until after 9 PM. The first 30 minutes were very bad: cold feet, cold nose, drowsiness. The next half an hour was way better. I sort of … Continue reading 1 Dec.
Bad At Being Still 