“Whether we notice it or not, interconnection is always present. Every aspect of our lives is woven into a vast web of cause and effect, action and response,” George Beckwith writes. “Nothing exists in isolation.”
“When I think lightly, like a child who has not yet consolidated their concepts, I can see others without barriers,” Sebastião Miranda writes. “I can appreciate them solely for their existence. We must regain this lightness and learn to love like a child or a devoted mother.”
Nalandabodhi Seattle invites you to join us for Sit & Stretch on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:00–8:00a to ease into the practice of sitting meditation by gently waking the body and warming up the muscles. Through mindful movement and basic yoga, we will train in the suppleness required to sit comfortably so that our meditation can accomplish the goal of completely taming our minds.
In the months following my serious fall and its traumatic aftermath, it was difficult for me to stay present. . . . Although I knew that thoughts of the past and future are futile, it was a challenge to let them go and be in the present moment, moment by moment.
What can we learn from the events or problems that encourage us to pause? My hope for us all is that we will not resist the challenges that arise, but see them as opportunities. I hope we will welcome these obstacles, these pauses, these moments of reflection. And while we do, let us practice loving-kindness toward ourselves and those around us.
The First Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa (1110-1193), was one of the greatest students of Gampopa (1079-1153), a legendary master of mahamudra meditation. Mahamudra is considered the peerless method for attaining enlightenment. Passing on the mahamudra lineage became a centerpiece of the Karmapas’ activity. An unbroken succession of teachers have held the title, or name, Karmapa after Dusum Khyenpa.
