Archive for May, 2009

There are still a lot of misconceptions about Buddhism and meditation.
Most people who hear that I meditate on a regular basis react by going into a closed eyed, hands open on knees stance and humming “OMMMMM” and then winking.
They are frequently under the impression that meditation is something you do on the side, probably to… »

After writing my post yesterday, I actually found a very helpful post by a Buddhist Agony Aunt from Bhutan. The question that was asked was the same as I was wresting with: “As a Buddhist, how can you deal with a coworker that you find difficult to get along with?”
I will quote it verbatim:
“Let’s forget… »

I’m decidedly angry and frustrated at the moment.
I wondered how long it would take, but the problem of the “collegue you get into trouble with” has surfaced.
It’s not even that big of a deal, there is just one person at work that keeps hitting that nerve that you get all worked up about.
Now, let me… »

Today is a special day to me.
It’s nine months ago since I entered the clinic after a night of goodbye drinking and I haven’t touched a drop since!
When I look around my room, which I redecorated since and go over my life at the moment, I feel immensely proud and thankful.
Proud of myself for making… »

I love working.
That’s not just an empty statement to say I like my job, which I do, but I actually love doing work.
I’ve never really subscribed to the view that work is just something you do. Work has, for me, always been something that is part of me and an extension of who I am.
When… »

Today, the pictures of the Ox, explained by a meditation teacher I just discovered and found much to my liking.
Shinzen Young is a Buddhist monk and a self confessed skeptic. As you can see from the RSS feeds I have to the left of this post, I have both a Buddhist as a skeptic feed…. »

Today I want to talk about compassion, something that I think is widely misunderstood.
Compassion for me always had a fluffy image. Compassion was turning the other cheek and comforting people and caring for them.
I remember, years ago, when I first learned of Buddhism and tried to live according to the rules as I understood them,… »

I’m having a wonderful day today.
It’s beautiful weather, I’m relaxed, I have my cup of coffee and all is well.
However, sometimes you have to protect yourself to keep it that way.
I am very active online and at any given time will have access to news channels, forums, IRC channels and the like.
Mostly, that’s great. I… »

A chance remark today got me thinking about self acceptance and what it can mean.
I am getting good reactions from people on this blog and I was surprised at my own surprise when people remarked they thought it was remarkable that I am so open about my addiction.
I really was surprised and a bit embarrased… »

Patience is difficult for me, although I rarely get what I am supposed to be wanting.
In the clinic, all I wanted was to be normal again, and get on with my life.
I used to become terribly frustrated when a session didn’t produce something that I regarded as progress, and I would consider a day worthless… »