Kagyu Nl

Do you allow pleasure from food? Are your senses throughly engaged as you eat? Do you fuel your aliveness with each meal or eat to deaden and numb out? Do you eat foods that taste good in your mouth and feel good in your physical body - both now and later?Imagine eating in a manner that is passionate and filled with the pleasure of being alive. What exactly would pleasurable eating look like? It would vary by individual, and perhaps even by meal. But I imagine we can uncover some common themes and prototypes of pleasurable eating. I can think of lots of times pleasure eating would be done standing up: Enjoying an ice cream cone while exploring a new city while on vacation, mingling at a party...

Geshe Michael Roach is a Princeton graduate and a Buddhist monk. After graduation, he spent seven years studying the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism. At the suggestion of his teacher, he joined a fledgling diamond business in New York to test his ideals in real life. He stayed with the business as a member of the core management team for seventeen years.The company grew from a start-up with two owners and two employees to $100 million in sales and five hundred employees in offices around the world. The Diamond Cutter: The Buddha on Strategies for Managing Your Business and Your Life tells the story of how Geshe Michael Roach built the diamond division of this company, using principles culled from ancient...

Human Religion indeed; Ha Ha Ha; Religion is a real Human Problem, from the VooDoo witch doctors in Haiti, to the African religions, which say if a woman does not have five living kids that the gods are saying she is unworthy when the mortality rate is 5:1 meaning she has to have 25 kids for five to survive? Then it becomes the Worlds Problem to feed them? And then the notion that the only way to get rid of AIDS is to have sex with a virgin, so they run around looking for 4 year olds who are still virgins.But all the World Religions although many are somewhat better, are not much really. Religion is something that the first world no longer needs, as civilizations of human kind have out paced the...

The Buddhist tradition of Valid Cognition ~ in terms of the Six Yoga System introduced in my previous post What Is Yoga?, ~ can be classified as a form of Jnana Yoga, in which intellectual analysis (in concert with meditation) is used by practitioners to gain certainty about the nature of reality, and to then rest (non-conceptually) within that certainty. The two principal teachers within this tradition are Dharmakirti and DignagaThe tradition, with its texts and various commentaries, is vast and complex. My occasional posts on the topic will be presentations of very small pieces of it...

Is there a mystery here to be unravelled? Is there a serpent code being held by the Grail myths? Can we uncover this code by taking a look at the Lady of Lake? The answer is yes to all these questions, for held within the folds of the coiled snake we shall discover the truth of the origin of the Arthurian tales and the strange watery Lady who was to give Arthur his sword.There are various names attributed to the 'Lady of the Lake;' Nimue and Vivienne are the two most used, but most pertinent to us here is 'White Serpent.' Nimue is probably Mneme or Mnemosyne, who is one of the Muses or 'water nymphs' from Roman and Greek mythology and who gave out weapons - just as the Lady of the Lake did. Vivienne...

In this first of a two part series we're going to discuss Japanese Buddhist funeral customs.What most people don't realize, even those familiar with Buddhism, is that Japanese Buddhist funeral customs differ from region to region. There is no one custom that encompasses all of Buddhism. Therefore, a generic description will not be possible. The religion of the deceased also plays a role in the burial ceremony. Also the person's age and social status, as well as economic situation, affect how they are buried.Even though the services themselves are different based on the above factors, there are some customs that are the same or similar throughout. What follows is a brief list of the common...

Shiatsu is a holistic and alternative pain relief therapy. Shiatsu can benefit a person suffering from a variety of diseases and disorders. Many turn to the practice of shiatsu for everything from anxiety to endometriosis. While shiatsu is an excellent practice, there are other therapies that are closely linked to shiatsu that might prove just as beneficial. Let us take a look at five other alternative therapies that work very well. Acupressure has been used successfully in China and Japan for over 3,000 years. This is a form of therapy that makes use of the combination of acupuncture and massage, and may have been a precursor to shiatsu in Japan. When acupressure is done the practitioner massages...

When looking at a country from another cultural background, you tend to wear a kind of "cultural eyeglasses." You often interpret everything from your own cultural conditioning. Things may seem irrational, frustrating, or upsetting, simply because of that conditioning. This is fertile ground for future conflicts in many areas. To me, culture is an iceberg, where the main force is resting beneath the surface.There are two major, typical miscalculations foreign corporations tend to make when they approach the Indian market.First, they tend to feel that because culture is intangible and it does not show itself in the bottom line, they do not need to waste their time on that issue.Second, they may think...

There are many doubts and misconception among people about mantra. Even many knowledgeable persons says that mantra is nothing but a boring repetition of words that doesn't affect our consciousness and the only effect it produce is to take the chanter ( the one who repeats the mantra ) into a state of sleep. There are many other wrong notions about mantra which, I think, exist because of the fact that people are not aware of the full mechanism of mantra. So before you start mantra meditation, it is essential that you clear all your doubts about mantra:The doubt (1): Mantra will take you into sleep:Fact: Yes but only if you use it as a lullaby.The most important thing in mantra meditation...

When young students get good marks in English and enjoy reading, they always wonder what it would be like to be an author. Then they think of stories they'd like to write about and ways to change the world through the power of the mighty pen, more powerful than the sword as the saying goes. I first applied my language skills to enter college in Radio & Television Arts, but I found more and more that the type of writing needed was not at all creative. The set formula was to write commercials or television content that was the same as other T.V. slush. Fortunately, I knew music and began to pay attention to lyrics. This was the medium that could give expression to my ideas. Fame was not in the cards...

REVIEW OF LITERATUREWhen a Sadguru, or spiritual master first receives a novice or a candidate seeking Truth, one of the first steps that the master would assure himself is the sincerity and the purity of motive of the candidate requesting initiation into the mysteries. In order to augment or instill this sincerity and pure motive when absent, the master would speak to the candidate regarding death. The master would advise the candidate to contemplate upon the meaning of death and the opportunity that life provides. The master would refer to the fact that death often comes, stealth-like, at an unannounced moment; that to be engrossed with trivialities is to waste one's life; that there are no...

I hate saying that. It feels so very wrong. It's not that I wouldn't like to help them. It's not that I am not appalled at what is happening over there. I have been wrestling with my guilty feelings lately. What have I done to make the world a better place? I started by taking inventory of the areas that I'd love to 'fix'. My to-do list looks like this:Free TibetHeal the hole in the ozone layerCure CancerSave the endangered speciesOverhaul the public school systemRaise my own kidsDefend the gays and lesbiansTeach people how to be happySolve world hungerFind loving homes for the orphansSave the rainforestRid the planet of pollutionImplement a clean economical fuel systemDesign a quality...

Religion and stress can work to your benefit ordetriment Religion and stress might seem like an unlikelyconnection, but the two are very closely related. On the one hand, religion can greatly help toreduce emotional stress on your family. On theother hand, religion can become one of the majorcauses of stress. The healing and inspirational power of religioncan quickly become an oppressive, deadening forcein your family. It is, unfortunately, a part ofhuman nature to force our beliefs on others. Obviously, children need moral guidance and tolearn to be rooted and grounded in a personalbelief system. It is primarily the responsibilityof parents to teach this, by example first, andwords second. Don't...

On a startling Court TV program, Al Roker investigated the horrors of 'hazing' reportedly not only in College sororities and fraternities, but even in high schools across the country. The program was extremely revealing and shocking as it provided a weatlh of information regarding so-called Greek 'hazing' rituals carried out across this Nation. Unfortunately, hazing is a predominant force among colleges, schools, military and even church groups, that it is blatantly out of control. Often, supposed 'leaders' or participants of hazing are sadly protected by 'frat brothers & sisters,' school coaches, and are rarely prosecuted for hazing incidents - even those involving death. The horrors of hazing are...

In Buddhism, a model for understanding the evolution of the egoic mind's reactive thinking process is referred to as the five skandhas or "heaps." They are as follows.1. Form/Ignorance-Birth of "I".Initially, there is open space/open mind. Then a blackout (trance) occurs, a disruption, causing identification to arise, the shock of birth. We wake up perceiving form, not recognizing that we have created it. We ignore our position as creator...

Last week, I decided to quit writing. Tired of rejection, tired of being a slave to words and phrases, I decided it was time I straightened out my life. So I quit. Cold turkey!I cleared off my desk, shut down the computer, shoved all my discs and hard copies into the file cabinet, locked it and handed my husband the key. I threw the mouse into the trash and that was that.Quitting a habit is relatively easy. I have a friend who has quit smoking 243 times.Staying quit? Now that is a different thing altogether.I have heard that all writers are not addicts. Some claim they can lay their writing career aside any time they choose. Others, like myself, are sucked into the literary scene after only one...

Is there a mystery here to be unravelled? Is there a serpent code being held by the Grail myths? Can we uncover this code by taking a look at the Lady of Lake? The answer is yes to all these questions, for held within the folds of the coiled snake we shall discover the truth of the origin of the Arthurian tales and the strange watery Lady who was to give Arthur his sword.There are various names attributed to the 'Lady of the Lake;' Nimue and Vivienne are the two most used, but most pertinent to us here is 'White Serpent.' Nimue is probably Mneme or Mnemosyne, who is one of the Muses or 'water nymphs' from Roman and Greek mythology and who gave out weapons - just as the Lady of the Lake did. Vivienne...

Gerald Flurry and the Philadephia Trumpet magazine (sponsored by the Philadelphia Church of God) offer an invaluable service to mankind with articles of insight and understanding based upon Bible prophecy.I respect the Philadephia Trumpet magazine's contribution to God's Work, even though they refuse to send it to me since I'm a former member of the PCG even though I've probably promoted it more than any of their evangelists. For the record, I'm an e-vangelist - not a televangelist - as the vast majority of my God-given Work is on the computer, sending emails and writing articles that appear all over the world of the internet .I give credit where credit is due, so help me God. However, everybody...

Dollhouses were invented in Germany in the 17th century. Who invented the very first dollhouse is unclear and the subject of much debate. However, one thing is certain: Dollhouses were extremely rare and expensive toys for the privileged children of aristocrats. The houses were painstakingly produced by hand out of wood, sometimes replicating the actual home in which the family lived, sometimes replicating a well-known building, and sometimes consisting of a brand new architectural design. The house was elaborately furnished with miniature versions of not only furniture but also paintings, tapestries and other wall hangings, all generally to scale. Even full kitchen furnishings were reproduced, from...

In the spring of 2003, I spent three weeks in the city of Chennai, formerly known as Madras, located in Southern India. Each morning, walking before the heat of the day, I was amazed to see intricate knot work patterns drawn out free hand with flour in front of the driveways and gates of homes. These artistic scrolls, I was told by an Indian friend, were offerings to local gods, and were part of a tradition that stretched back into the ancient past. I have seen knot patterns in my travels throughout many parts of the world. In Islamic countries where iconography is prohibited, the mosques are heavily decorated with knot-like patterns. Stone-carved knot work motifs can be found on ruins from the...

Empowered Millionaires always express vast gratitude for the abundance of blessings in their lives; whether financial blessings or the thousand and one tiny miracles that take place in our lives every day. So, for me on my journey to millionaire status, I must first display appreciation for all creation and develop a better understanding of the power of gratitude. The true nature of being gracious is found in the wholehearted gratefulness given by the human heart to everything that has ever been, or ever will be, manifested throughout the universe. Gratitude, which is giving thanks for all abundance, represents acknowledging the energy that flows through all things, bringing wondrous blessings to us...

Buy Kenny Chesney Tickets For A Life - Time Experience \\\"The more you live, the more you know ... and the more you experience, the more you reflect on everything around you. You become more aware, whether you want to or not - So, as an artist and a songwriter, you look for ways to see it and tell people about it, to see if they\\\'re going through the same things ... The thing about Be As You Are is once you write an album about realizations, finding a new way to live, it changes how you do this.\\\" - By Kenny Chesney. Kenny Chesney writes from the heart. His songs, whether happy or sad, mirror his own life. Perhaps this is why his each song has managed to penetrate deep into the hearts of...

A land that conjures up images of mountains and temples. A place whos mystique is unmatched by any other around the world. A people who can bring a smile to any visitor`s face. These all can be found in the farthest corner of China, atop the roof of the world-Tibet. Yes, Tibet is one of kind. No other place brings to mind such majestic scenaryor spiritual splendor. This is a land that will expel any doubt to whether or not there is a supreme power. One can`t help but sense that there is something greater that exists, that could only be responsible for creating such a magnificent place. Tibet is a land of incredible points of interest. Besides home to the world`s tallest mountain, it boasts the...

The Basic Concepts of "TMT" Teaching (An excerpt of Chapter 2 of "TMT Power Secrets" Book-2) Introducing some basic "TMT" Teachings... "TMT" means "Transcendental Mental Technology, the science and technology of known (physical) and unknown (spiritual) realms of life and reality. It is simply: spirituality + science. What Is Time, Mind, And Body, The Inner And Outer Worlds? Time = A period of Infinity. Infinity = non-ending time. Eternity = Infinite infinities! The spirit (inner) world is the same as the outer physical world. The spirit world is just more refined and subtle and our senses can't detect it. Mind is made of 5 senses, through which we detect things. That which our 5 senses can detect...

Lotus flowers are amazing and have strong symbolic ties to many Asian religions especially throughout India. The lotus flower starts as a small flower down at the bottom of a pond in the mud and muck. It slowly grows up towards the waters surface continually moving towards the light. Once it come to the surface of the water the lotus flower begins to blossom and turn into a beautiful flower. Within Hinduism and Buddhism the lotus flower has become a symbol for awakening to the spiritual reality of life. The meaning varies slightly between the two religions of course but essentially both religious traditions place importance on the lotus flower. In modern times the meaning of a lotus flower tattoo...

Right around the world people are starting to take notice of the amazing fruit that is known as the goji berry. It's unbelievable to think that such a small berry could have the potential to prolong life for an extended period of time. What's more it's hard to believe that in fact people have known this secret for many centuries and have kept it a secret for so long. So What are Tibetan Goji Berries? Goji berries are a red colored berry and originate from deep within the desolate mountains of the Himalayas, more accurately in the regions of Tibet, China and Mongolia. Tibetan goji berries were said to have been first discovered by Buddhist monks behind a well in Tibet and later became a part of every...

Whether you are working through a problem with a friend or trying to stay calm about world events, there is a new book to help you understand and work with the world around you. "When I meet new people in new places, in my mind there is no barrier, no curtain," said the Dalai Lama in "Kindness, Clarity, and Insight" (Snow Lion, $19.95). "In my mind, as human beings you are my brothers and sisters; there is no difference in substance." For 25 years, the Dalai Lama has shared his philosophy with people in North America. As a religious leader, he has worked toward peace and tolerance in his own and other countries. As a pop culture icon, he has influenced thousands to reassess the minor and major...

As of September 1, China is tightening control over Tibetan Buddhism with a new law requiring government permission for the reincarnation of lamas. Tibetan activists say this is another attempt by communist Chinese leaders to undermine Tibetan culture and even absurdly to control the religious afterlife. VOA's Heda Bayron has more on the story from our Asia News Center in Hong Kong. The new law bans Tibetan lamas, or monks, from reincarnating without Chinese government approval. China, which has ruled Tibet for more than half a century, says anyone outside China cannot influence the reincarnation process and only monasteries in China can apply for permission. Experts and activists say the law is...

So, being a thoroughly modern person you have decided that you want to find a meditation and you are thinking of starting your search on the Internet. Well you are in for a big surprise. Key in the word 'meditation' or 'yoga' and you are going to be overwhelmed by a multiplicity of choice. Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga, Hatha Yoga, The Kabbalah, Tibetan Buddhism, Kundalini Yoga, Krishnamurti's Choiceless Awareness, Zen, Vippasana meditation, the Ramana Maharshi meditation or perhaps Sahaja Yoga. There are many more. Well help is at hand. Daniel Goleman has written a book called "Meditative Mind" in which he classifies all the different meditations in terms of the Vissudhimagga that was taught by the...