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.
An invaluable road map for anyone who meditates, Swallowing the River Ganges is a comprehensive practice guide to the “great treatise” of Theravadan Buddhism, the “path of purification” (Visuddhimagga). Written in the fifth century, this encyclopedic manual of Buddhist doctrine and meditation organizes the various teachings of the Buddha into one clear path. Step by step, this meditation course guides readers through the seven stages of purification, explaining the teachings and putting them into a modern context.
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.
Day Retreat | Sacramento Buddhist Meditation Group
Wake Up, Grow Up, & Show Up – A Meditation Day Retreat w/ Miles Kessler
In this retreat you will work on three aspects of Dharma practice: awakening to deeper meditative states, transforming temporary states into permanent traits, and how to have an impact in the world as a student of the Dharma. This daylong retreat will be a combination of sitting practice, dyadic inquiry, the “Big Mind” process, and some Aikido-based embodiment practice.
Aikido & Non-Duality | Dan Messisco & Miles Kessler | Memorial Day Seminar
Aikido Friendship Seminar – Vince Salvatore & Miles Kessler
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.
