-
Silent Illumination? “DON’T”
One approach to descending into emptiness/silent illumination that I have employed for quite a while has gone by many names. Some include: emptying out, letting go, setting it all down, and letting the silt settle. In this post I propose one more entry and name that, while initially seeming humorous may click with some. “Don’t“…
-
A hidden benefit of the Covid lockdown
It occurred to me recently that during the Covid lockdown, it is possible that some cross section of modern society may have been exposed to portions of the Dharma in a fashion that may leave a lasting impression. Suffering, worry, anxiety, etc. are of course more on the radar for some, but another angle may…
-
Setting it all down
Set down responding to body and mind, meet impulse with silence. In silence, there is no landing. When there is no landing, the world of concepts falls away. Let any activity be met with silence. Set down what you have been carrying. When only emptiness remains, set emptiness down as well.
-
No new karma
With the aspiration to cease creating karma, surrender the body to nature, surrender the mind to the method of silence. Creating no new karma with the body, no new verbal karma, no new mental karma. Let whatever arises simply be met with empty silence. Nothing stirred, become familiar with the guests that come and go…
-
Magic mirrors and silent illumination
I had the realization recently that the descent into silent illumination might also be described using a mirror analogy. I was recalling the magic mirror from Snow White and how this relates to the mind. In the movie, the magic mirror was a mirror that had the ability to reflect, but also had a personality…
-
Chanting, sound, and vibration
Chanting, singing, and working with the “vibrational” aspects of sound (resonance with voices, bells, drums, gongs, bowls, etc.) are present in quite a few spiritual traditions around the world. In this modern age, many of us have lost touch with or not been exposed to ways that these practices can aid and work with the…
-
Settling into signlessness
Place the body in a comfortable, alert, and stable position. This is a practice of letting bodily, verbal and mental activity all settle in to stillness. Set favorable conditions that allow the release of each of these types of activity for the duration of the practice period. Begin by relaxing the body, area by area,…
-
Contemplating in Buddhism and how it liberates
The English term “contemplation” does not seem to carry or convey a clear, universal meaning when it is used in the context of Buddhist practices. This came to my attention after observing the usage of the term on several retreats. “Contemplation” was often being interpreted as “sitting and thinking” or ruminating on a topic from…
-
A swift pair of messengers
Arrange the body so it is balanced and aligned with gravity. From the top of the body down, lightly notice any tension and allow it to soften and relax. Observe the experience of the entire body all at once, and relax further anything that stands out. Over time mental activity may arise to the forefront…
-
Reciting mantra into silence
Begin reciting the mantra while walking to footfalls, interrupting any unwilled thoughts with the next syllable of the mantra. Space the mantra syllables out with one, then multiple footfalls in between them. Whenever the mind wanders, recite the next syllable of the mantra. Once this momentum grows, begin following the last syllable past its ending,…