As Goenkaji says, whatever arises in the mind arises simultaneously on the body as a sensation. There is no separation between thoughts, emotions and body sensations. However we are conditioned in western society to experience the mind and body as separate. We go to a psychologist for our minds and a doctor for our body. People in the …
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From Christian Mysticism to Vipassana
I grew up in a family oriented to Christian Mysticism. My grandparents from both sides were very focused in that way, though they followed different teachers. My mom's mom was very influenced by Joel Goldsmith who became well known in the 50's-60's and formed a group called the Infinite Way, this teaching rubbed off on …
Effects of Music and Dance on Meditation
I went to a 5 Rhythms dance about 2 weeks after sitting a 10 day course. The 5 rhythms is a free form dance style developed by Gabriel Roth which takes dancers through 5 distinct rhythms of flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical and stillness. These rhythms mirror the rhythms of nature and the seasons. It’s about …
Wings of Desire-a Great Dhamma Movie
There’s a great Dhamma movie called Wings of Desire that I highly recommend, it came out in 1987. After finishing Peace Corps Sri Lanka in 1996 and sitting and serving in India and Nepal, I came back to Sri Lanka to settle at a meditation center near Kandy. I followed a daily schedule that …
Time with a Western Forest Monk in Sri Lanka
I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in a rural village near Tissamaharama in southeast Sri Lanka between 1994 and 1996. I feel fortunate to have been sent to a Buddhist country as that was my first coming into contact with Dhamma. From the first time I saw a Buddhist monk, I …
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Entrepreneurship as a Meditator
I practice acupuncture and while there are a few paid positions here and there, most practitioners run their own practices. I have run my practice for the past 9 years and have earned my living while supporting my two daughters. Part of this requires me to bring in new patients, retain current patients and stay …
Yoga as a Support for Sitting
I’ve practiced yoga for many years and have found it to be very complimentary to vipassana. I’m lucky to have a studio just 2 minutes away and have been pretty consistent this last year and a half. Goenkaji had talked about yoga as being very beneficial for the physical body and even more beneficial if …
What Happens at Death?
I was inspired to share this article written by Goenkaji which describes what happens at the time of death. Reading this always brings the reflection that we could die at any time (Maranasati) and is a reminder to pay attention to states of mind, because the last mind moment determines the conditions for the next …
Conspiracy Theories and Dhamma
We live in an incredibly complex world brought to our attention by the vast flow of information available. No longer are we confined to a narrow range of media sources. The internet has opened us up to a vast information exchange, unimaginable even 20 years ago. With this has come information that greatly contradicts what …
Funny Course Story
I remember a 20 day course I sat in Sri Lanka back in the late 90’s. On day 5 as we were going for tea, there was a sign posted by the dining hall which said something like, please be sure to shower and wash your clothes regularly with soap, other people notice. We’d been …
Living Vipassana 