I started off 2024 by participating in a 1 – year program offered by Sage-ing International that is based on Stephen Levine’s book “A Year to Live”. I was planning on publishing blog posts once a year throughout the year sharing my experiences and insights while working through this program. However; I was unable to do so.
I encountered several challenges. The first one was that it was very difficult to maintain my perception that I only had 1 year left …
I wish all my readers a Very Happy New Year 2024. I am very excited to start off this year by participating in a program that promises to be transformative in nature.
Stephen Levine (1937–2016) was an American poet, author, and spiritual teacher known for his work in the field of death …
This is the third blog in a series of blog posts that are my varied reflections on impermanence and mortality.
Disclaimer: This blog series attempts to elaborate on many aspects of human mortality as elaborated in Buddhist teachings. The goals of these teachings are to cultivate an appreciation for the present moment as well as to cultivate kindness and compassion for all living beings as we all possess the same nature.
The Five Remembrances are a set of teachings in Buddhism that are …
This is the second blog in a series of blog posts that are my varied reflections on impermanence and mortality.
Disclaimer: This blog series attempts to elaborate on many aspects of human mortality as elaborated in Buddhist teachings. The goals of these teachings are to cultivate an appreciation for the present moment as well as to cultivate kindness and compassion for all living beings as we all possess the same nature.
The Five Remembrances are a set of teachings in Buddhism that …
MMTCP Certificate
Towards the end of 2020, I embarked on a journey that has made a significant impact in my own mindfulness practice and in my healing journey back into wholeness. I applied for and got accepted into the 2-year “Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (MMTCP)” conducted by Jack …
This is the first blog a series of blog posts that are my varied reflections on impermanence and mortality.
In Buddhism, we talk about the three marks of existence, aka three characteristics of all existence. These are impermanence, inherently unsatisfactory nature and not-self aspect of all existence. These three marks are interrelated to one another. Since we all are subject to delusion about the three marks, it results in suffering. To the extent that we can be free of this …
In the blog category “Guided Meditations”, I will provide detailed explanations for all the guided meditation tracks that I will place in the Resources section of this website. These blog posts will be hyperlinked from the “Guided Meditations” page under “Resources” menu option where these meditation tracks in mp3 format will be placed for streaming or for downloading.
Equanimity is a balanced state of mind, a mind that does not get swayed by external circumstances. It is like really meaning “I …
In the blog category “Book Reviews”, I will review many classic books written by teachers and practitioners of mindfulness meditation. I have been reading such books for more than 2 decades now. I will systematically review these books, one by one, so that it may help readers of this blog make informed decision about purchasing them and …
In the blog category “Book Reviews”, I will review many classic books written by teachers and practitioners of mindfulness meditation. I have been reading such books for more than 2 decades now. I will systematically review these books, one by one, so that it may help readers of this blog make informed decision about purchasing …
4 Limitless Qualities
Four of the most important virtues within Buddhism are the “Limitless Qualities” because they represent love and goodwill toward all sentient beings, without limit. These are also called the “4 Divine Abodes”. These 4 qualities unlock unlimited potential for contentment, connectedness within us and connectedness with other sentient beings around us.
These 4 prized emotions or mind states give us a framework to cultivate positive behaviors and minimize harmful ones. They are called the “Divine abodes” because they are …
I work for PeaceHealth; a Vancouver, WA based not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth’s “Healthy You” program provides classes, tools and tips to help and inspire members of our communities on their health journey.
As part of “Healthy You” offering, I conducted a series of 8 hour-long webinars on many different aspects of mindfulness practice. The first webinar was conducted in March 2020 and the final webinar was conducted in July 2020. Each webinar …
Steps for performing Loving Kindness meditation for someone who has hurt or harmed us
Here are the steps you need to follow to perform this meditation:
Step 1) Remember to use phrases like the ones listed below for this practice. Choose ones that resonate with you deeply.
May you be happyMay you be peacefulMay you live with ease
Step 2) Synchronize the practice with your breath:
While inhaling say “May you be”While exhaling say “happy”
Step 3) Now, focus your attention exclusively on yourself. Remember that …
What is Forgiveness?
The following definition of Forgiveness appears on the website of the American Psychological Association.
“Forgiveness is defined as willfully putting aside feelings of resentment toward an individual who has committed a wrong, been unfair or hurtful, or otherwise harmed one in some way. Forgiveness is not equated with reconciliation or excusing another, and it is not merely accepting what happened or ceasing to be angry. Rather, it involves a voluntary transformation of one’s feelings, attitudes, and behavior toward the individual, so that one …
This is a three-part series of blog posts around the use of Loving Kindness practice for forgiving someone who has hurt or harmed us.
The series comprises of the following sections:
Part I
What is Loving KindnessSteps to practice Loving KindnessCategories of recipients of Loving Kindness Meditation
Part II
What is forgiveness?Benefits of forgivenessMyths and Truths of ForgivenessLoving Kindness and ForgivenessImportance of Loving Kindness and Forgiveness during this stressful time
Part III
Steps for performing Loving Kindness meditation for someone who has hurt or harmed usGuided meditation …
We now find ourselves in the midst of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. At the date of writing this blog post (as of 02:00 am CEST, 6 April 2020); there are over 1,211,214 confirmed cases around the world with 67,666 confirmed deaths in 209 countries, areas or territories with cases, according to WHO. There is tremendous suffering around the world as this outbreak wreaks havoc wherever it spreads.
During this time of great suffering around the world, the likes of which …
