Meditation Practices of Zen and Tantra

Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche was born in 1939 and died in 1987. He started the Shambhala Buddhist community and is well known for his book, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism. In another book, The Teacup & the Skullcup:Chogyam Trungpa on Zen and Tantraa, he talks about the meditation practices of Zen and Tantra. The meditation practices of […]

Meditation Practices: How to Reduce Discouragement

This one first appeared in the winter issue of Tricycle Magazine. Then I found in on Tricycle.com. A student asked Nakagawa-Soen during a meditation retreat, “I am very discouraged. What should I do?” Soen Roshi replied, “Encourage others.” I found this at just the right time. I encourage you to do what Soen Roshi recommends! […]

Meditation Practices To Develop Mind Strength

When you first begin an exercise routine at the gym, you use small weights or slower speeds until you build up your strength. The same is true in meditation practices to develop mind strength. You begin with easy practices like mindfulness of breathing or walking meditation and develop these into deeper, more rewarding experiences. Dr. […]

Meditation: How to Reduce Stress

By now, you know that your body can have a severe response to stress. This is one of the most asked questions about Meditation: How to Reduce Stress. Stress, worry, and anxiety reduction can be accomplished by meditation practices which tame your mind. There are many practices to choose from and you can certainly find […]

Mindful Consumption Helps Mother Earth

This quote from the Dalai Lama ties into what Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh had to say about human life on earth. Human use, population, and technology have reached that certain stage where mother Earth no longer accepts our presence with silence. — Dalai Lama XIV You may now begin to see how important it […]

Meditation Practices for Parkinson’s Disease

Meditation practices for Parkinson’s disease are being presented in a symposium featuring  Dr. Joe Jackson, brother of basketball coach, Phil Jackson. Dr. Jackson is a clinical psychologist now living in Virginia. The symposium is taking place in Kalispell, Montana on Friday, April, 27, 2012. Dr. Jackson, himself, has a mild form of the disease, even […]

Meditation Practices For Reducing Emotional Distress

What are the most common causes of emotional distress? What are the best meditation practices for reducing emotional distress? What does emotional distress come from? Fear is definitely one of these causes. When we are afraid, we are out of our element and not able to think straight. We are tuned into the fight or […]

Alternative Medicine Reinforces Modern Medicine

In the story about Dr. Sheldon Ruderman, we learn that alternative medicine reinforces modern medicine. More and more people are using some form complementary and alternative medicine these days, and new studies are being reported on frequently. You may wish to look into a variety of alternative medicine practices if you or a loved one […]

Meditation Practices to Reduce Suffering

The Dalai Lama is the spiritual and political leader of the Tibetan people. He is also probably the most inspiring teacher of meditation practices to reduce suffering. The Tibetan people have suffered tremendously at the hands of the Chinese and those in exile had to leave everything behind. Yet, they seem to have a positive […]

Guided Meditation Practices

Our guided meditation practices at the Pine Street Clinic in San Anselmo, California begin with inviting the bell and an invocation that I wrote for this purpose: This life is the gift of the whole universe: the earth, the sky and many generations. May we learn to live in mindfulness in order to enjoy the wonders […]