I’ve been reading a fun book called, “Buddha or Bust” by Perry Garfinkel. It’s part travel journalism, part social studies, part history, part self-exploration. He traces the history of Buddhism from its origins in India to the various countries and cultures as the spiritual tradition spread East. During his travels, he also highlights some new directions in which Buddhism is moving.
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Author Archives: Garnet David
The Divine Inside
Meredith over at Graceful Presence posted a poem by Rassouli called ‘Dancing with the Devine”. It sums up some of the ideas I wish to amplify here on a regular basis: connecting with the Self, the Great Spirit which resides inside and outside us, but which we need to nurture and cultivate. I like the idea of dancing with it, which implied play rather than work. Thank you, Meredith.
The Smiling Higher Self
Higher Self watches as I struggle with the drama of ego; reacting to situations with selfishness, desiring control, judging, pulling away emotionally when things don’t go well, giving up easily, avoiding failure.
This lighter Spiritual Self smiles and gently nudges me back into the flow, reminding me to be in the moment without attaching to or rejecting it. With this higher part of me fully conscious, I gently embrace the emotions and fears I feel without being limited or dragged down by them, without giving into their endless drama.
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Pennies from Heaven
Raymond of ZenChill offered a sweet true story of pennies from heaven. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s good to have a simple reminder that fortune is near when pennies appear. Visualize fortune and open yourself and watch for it. You will attract it.
Modern Buddhist Thinking
I know, the title promises much more. But here are three quotes, one by Buddha, one by F. M. Alexander, the great but still relatively unknown teacher of a system of poise and mental/physical balance which resembles Buddhist thinking. The third is a blogger quote I just found, simple, good advice.
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