I like to set my intention through this first week of 2022 by reviewing my understanding of the Noble Eightfold Path, being a Zen Buddhist and all. On Monday I went over the first of the Threefold Division, sila (or ethics). That blog post was unforgivably dry reading it over — sorry about that. I’m … Continue reading Zen Check 2022: Samadhi
Tag: buddhism
(Buddhism) We’re All Mad Here
I've been thinking a lot about anger over the past month and a half. Ever since Michael Brown was killed by a police officer in Ferguson, MO way back in 2014 I've been increasingly political with my online presence -- and the candidacy and ultimate inauguration of Donald Trump has pushed that side of my … Continue reading (Buddhism) We’re All Mad Here
(Buddhism) Smile, Breathe and Go Slowly
We're living in a time where fear is a completely natural and understandable response. It feels like the world is perilously close to the edge of ruin -- nuclear tensions between the world superpowers are higher than they've been since the Cold War; our governments are doing very little to deal with the environmental problems … Continue reading (Buddhism) Smile, Breathe and Go Slowly
Kwanzaa, Day 7: Imani (Faith)
Habari gani, brothers and sisters? Happy New Year! I'm pretty sure most of us (myself included) are spending the final day of Kwanzaa somewhat sleep-deprived and hungover, so I'll speak quietly and wish you the tastiest of greasy breakfasts and a quick recovery so you can start 2018 getting your shit handled. No matter how … Continue reading Kwanzaa, Day 7: Imani (Faith)
(Personal) Spit and Vinegar into Clear Water
I think most Buddhists, if we're really honest with ourselves deep down, flirt with the daydream of what we'd look like enlightened. I know personally I would love to resemble Budai, the eternally-laughing bodhisattva known for his jovial attitude, wisdom, contentment, and the fact that you can rub his belly for good luck. In my … Continue reading (Personal) Spit and Vinegar into Clear Water
I’m…37? Yeah, 37.
Yesterday I celebrated my 37th birthday by watching Kubo and the Two Strings, playing two rounds of mini-golf, and having a dinner out with a few friends. It was tremendously fun, and I really appreciate folks coming out to help me ring in another personal new year. I have amazing friends, and to say that … Continue reading I’m…37? Yeah, 37.
Zen & The Art of Getting Shit Done
It's been a hard couple of months for me, mostly because of a few unexpected emergencies. I got into an accident at the end of February that totaled my car, and it took about a month for my insurance company to make that decision and offer me a write-off settlement. I had spent a … Continue reading Zen & The Art of Getting Shit Done
(Buddhism) Right Concentration
You know how there are certain people who, when you meet them, make you feel like you're the only person in the world for as long as they're talking to you? The full weight of their attention is startling at first, because it's not something we're used to. In these busy times, there are always … Continue reading (Buddhism) Right Concentration
(Buddhism) Right Mindfulness
Mindfulness is one of the cornerstones of Buddhist thought. In order to realize your enlightenment, you must see it just as it is, through direct experience unfiltered by emotion or judgement. What's really interesting to me about this is that it's possible to have these moments where everything seems to click and you have this … Continue reading (Buddhism) Right Mindfulness
(Buddhism) Right Effort
So far we've gone through five different spokes on the Noble Eightfold Path, comprising two groups -- Wisdom/Prajna and Moral Virtues/Sila. They are Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood. Together, they make up the understanding/philosophy and practice/action parts of the path. Now, we head into the third and final group … Continue reading (Buddhism) Right Effort
From the Desk of Jakebe T. Rabbit 