What does it mean to have a “balanced mind”, and how can mindfulness meditation help to cultivate it? Mindfulness-based meditation practice has very positive effects on the mind that are experienced as temporary states. A long term committed practice will transform these temporary, positive states into permanent traits… into new a way of being. Buddhism lists these beneficial qualities as “The 7 Factors Of Awakening”, with the culmination in that list of “equanimity”, an exquisitely balanced mind. In the below interview excerpt Vipassana meditation teacher Sayadaw Vivekananda speaks about how “mindfulness cultivates equanimity”.
Awakening is the goal of meditation. But like the old quip says “when it comes to awakening you can’t get there from here.” Therein lies the rub. If a non-dual realization if your goal then “doing a practice” implies that there is somewhere to develop, something to achieve… an obvious duality (or maybe not so obvious). Of course, meditation is a practice leading to awakening, but it is still just the finger that points to the moon of awakening. Join Dr. Dominique Cassidy and I as we explore this paradox of non-duality in our discussion of meditation and why you can’t get there from here.
In the Zen tradition, they often use the metaphor of “the finger pointing to the moon.” The “finger” here, refers to practices that point towards the moon or, a non-dual awakening. But even though “fingers” point the way, the pointing practices themselves cannot get you to a direct experience of the moon. Simply put, when it comes to non-duality, you can’t get there from here. If this is the case then we should ask, what exactly are the conditions for Non-Duality In Aikido?
Nothing is more separating than conflict. Nothing is more unitive than spirituality. The martial art of Aikido attempts to walks this impossibly thin line as a “spiritual martial art.” If this is the case, then what does an expression of Aikido’s spiritual essence look like? If we are all spiritually connected, ultimately One, or not-two, then how can we express this non-duality in conflict? These are the questions I explored with Dan Messisco Sensei (6th dan Aikikai) in our recent Aiki-Discussion on Aikido & Non-Duality.
What does it mean to be responsible? Ultimately, completely, and radically responsible? Does one need to have a radically responsible life in order to have a radically meaningful life? These are the questions I explored with Dharma teacher Fleet Maull Roshi, whose new book “Radical Responsibility” is launching May 14th, 2019.
Radical Responsibility by Fleet Maull (Sounds True, 2019)
In his new book, Fleet Maull writes about “Radical Responsibility” and “How To Move Beyond Blame, Fearlessly Live Your Highest Purpose, and Become an Unstoppable Force for Good”. Fleet teaches that taking radical responsibility is the fundamental practice that gives one’s life meaning. This book is especially for those who aspire to be agents of change, through self-responsibility. Because before you can have an impact in the world you must “pull yourself up by the spiritual bootstraps” by taking radical responsibility.
On Feb. 26th, 2019 Diane Musho Hamilton and I had a call with Ken Wilber for a talk about the “Dharma & The Evolution Of Conflict” tele-summit. What ensued was a detailed overview of the nature of conflict as experienced from the perspectives of spiritual states, developmental stages, and our disowned shadow. In “Integral speak” these are none other than the “3 Practice S’s” of states, stages, and shadow. Essential practices in the areas of Dharma, Evolution, & Conflict.
“Dharma & The Evolution Of Conflict” Tele-Summit, Free Online Global Event, March 20 – 24, 2019. Come together with Ken Wilber, Diane Musho Hamilton, Terry Patten, Wendy Palmer, Steve McIntosh, Keith Witt, Ginny Whitelaw, Greg Thomas, Fr. David McCallum (and many more) as we explore the practice and application of “Dharma & The Evolution Of Conflict”!
What does it mean to “embody conflict resolution”? In the below “Darma Bite” I continue the series of Dharma Discussions with Integral Facilitator & Zen Sensei Diane Musho Hamilton. In this excerpt from our discussion, we talk about conflict resolution in the field of mediation as compared to Aikido, and how they are in essence the same thing. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this short excerpt on “Embodying Conflict Resolution”.
