The brahmaviharas as presented here are a series of four practices that cultivate and radiate beautiful and rejuvenating mental states. They can be done by choosing to cultivate a specific one of the four practices, or by starting at the first and flowing through all four. Once the feel for one is developed, it can…

Within Buddhism there are some practices that are described as “turning the lamp inwards”. What is the meaning of this phrase? How can it be practiced? I have been revisiting the Shurangama Sutra recently and inspiration arose to share some of my own explorations in this area of Dharma In the Shurangama Sutra there is…

This is a primary practice I use throughout the day. I find it quite natural and beneficial, and wish to share it with others. A few benefits are detailed below after the practice instructions. Feel free to contact me with any comments or questions. Sitting practice Put the body into a comfortable, relaxed and alert…

Find a comfortable, alert position, still the body and align it with gravity. Begin to radiate good will and friendliness. As the feeling of good will builds in intensity, joy and eventually rapture will suffuse the experience. Rest attention on the joy and the rapture will build. Rest attention on the rapture and a relieving…

A bird glides through a clear sky. It notices a branch and decides landing on it might feel nice. Upon landing the branch holds, the bird abides for a while and then takes off again. Another branch is found, and the bird heads toward it, landing again. From here, another branch can be seen, and…

I often go to bed and then chant a mantra silently, radiate good-will or some other practice until sleep. It is not uncommon for these practices to then become the frame of reference for the time spent dreaming. At first this seemed to be a novelty, but as it grew more familiar I began to…

If you are reading this, then perhaps a little context about this blog will be helpful. It is my aspiration to post Dharma explorations, contemplations and bits of inspiration from time to time. I will aspire to keep anything posted within the realm of good-willed, generous, truthful and non-harmful speech. If you have comments, please…