What’s outside of the universe?
Everything we see, experience, interact with and observe is all contained within this unified system called the universe. Every molecule, compound, chemical, star cluster, black hole, blade of grass, animal, and even consciousness itself, is all contained within the universe.
Read MoreHow would you know what a “thing” is if you had no words to define it?
If there were no words for pain, love, fear, happiness, doubt, joy, yin, yang, how would you know what “it” is?
Language is how we both create and perceive the world around us. “Things” are only “real” because we can define them.
Read MoreAt the heart of the entire Practice of Meditation is Discipline. Discipline, broken down, is knowing what you must do in that moment (despite your thoughts and feelings) and doing it.
I need to go for a run. But I’ll be so tired after.
I need to eat better. But the desserts look more tasty.
I need to study for this exam. But this show is so tempting.
At its lowest level, these are just the three planes of existence. However, at its highest level, these are planes to help you achieve self-mastery; for, what else is more important to master in this transient life than your self?
Read MoreSo, which of the 5 tiers is the most important? None of them. Instead of thinking of them in a hierarchal fashion, think of them more like different tools in your toolbox. Some days you need Yoga; some days you need Buddhism; some days you need Zen; some days you need Tantra; and some days you need to accept everything for what it is and reside in the Tao.
Read MoreHave you ever noticed that when you’re watch an action movie, your heart begins to race and your adrenaline goes up? Or when you’re listening to classical music, your mood starts to mellow? Or when you’re watching a mountain climbing documentary, you suddenly feel inspired?
Read MoreAstute practitioners of yoga (and Hinduism, for that matter—since they both come from the same tree) know that the primary objective is to escape the endless cycle of death and rebirth (Reincarnation) and achieve Moksha (Liberation).
Taken more allegorically, this can be better understood as escaping the endless cycle of death and rebirth in relation to one’s own suffering, or (more accurately) trauma.
Read MoreAs someone who has also spent a lot of time pursuing more esoteric disciplines (Martial Arts, Yoga, Meditation, Shamanism, Zen), these fields are less focused on Semantic Learning (though there is still some degree of that) and are more driven by Motor Learning.
Read MoreIt’s the same function that governs things like: when your dentist appointment is coming up, all of a sudden you start seeing dentist signs everywhere. Or, a friend tells you about the new model of Tesla and you start seeing that same model drive past you everywhere on the road.
Read More“I’ll tell you a secret; something they don’t tell you in your temple. The gods envy us. They envy us because we’re mortal, because any moment may be our last…”
Read MoreThe Ego, much like a swear word, is often used by people who don’t know how to properly articulate which facet or function of a person’s personality or mental capacity they are talking about.
Read More“I’m sorry for what I said when I was hungry.” Trite, but true; it’s funny how much food can actually affect the way we think, feel and respond to certain situations.
Read MoreLife is a constant flux and flow between using our mind and letting it go; achieving Satori and then resting in Zazen. It is a balance; a union; an expression of Harmony played out and experienced by us, the end user; the Player One; the pilot in the passenger seat to our lives.
Read MoreIn truth, we are all already Enlightened. We all have perspectives relative to that which we once knew. The question is: how much perspective do you wish to gain?
Read MoreConsciousness (our Active Awareness) is the Infinite Animate Energy of the known universe and the mind is the mirror upon which that consciousness can reflect. No mirror, no identification states, no you, non-separation.
Read MoreEnergy can neither be created nor destroyed; energy can only be transferred or changed from one form to another. That is the first law of Thermodynamics*.
Read MoreBy simply observing, not verbalizing what it is that you are observing, simply watching through your sheer presence, you are no longer thinking, you are being; you have come upon the state of no-mind (satori or zen).
Read MoreThe faster you learn to get into these states, the better you are able to perform at whatever it is that you are doing. Instead of splitting your energy, your attention, your focus, on multiple different things; you are better able to give all of that to your chosen task.
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