Jun 12
Sunday
Place Your Thoughts Here, Part I
The first of two excerpts from Shambhalian Steven Saitzyk’s new dharma art book.
by Steven Saitzyk
Things are not difficult to make; what is difficult is putting ourselves in the state of mind to make them.
~ Constantin Brancusi
“My creative process is a meditation.”
I have heard this statement often. While art-making and art-viewing are inherently contemplative activities, they are not the same as a meditation practice. They can parallel one another when they invoke a similar state of mind, but it is what makes them different that provides the ability for formal meditation practice to benefit the way we create and view art. Continue…
Author Archive
2 responses - Posted 06.09.16
...and probably saved my life too! by Tunde Nemeth I was a serial self-improver. I’ve spent more time in the self-help aisles of more bookstores than I will ever admit. I’ve tried – and failed at – affirmations, talk therapy, behavioral-cognitive therapy, Gestalt therapy, inner child work (if I ...continue
4 responses - Posted 06.05.16
Being a parent generates opportunity in each moment, opportunities to create everyday ceremonies that celebrate and enhance our lives together by Melinda Haselton The sun peeks through the blinds and I hear the words, “Hi mama.” They draw me out of my deep sleep. Heavy eyes open, and ...continue
5 responses - Posted 06.03.16
An examination of dissent as it relates to concepts of masculine and feminine in Shambhala culture Column: Critical Intent by Larry Barnett Mural depicting one of the Rigden Kings Both American and Shambhala culture are value-laden, and their differences sometimes come into uncomfortable contact; at this edge dissent arises. How ...continue
no responses - Posted 06.01.16
Practicing mindfulness through synchronization of mind and body by Jennifer Wang Mindfulness is one of those words that seems to be everywhere these days, but how many people really know what it means? Many people associate mindfulness and meditation with sitting quietly for hours trying desperately to shut ...continue
3 responses - Posted 05.30.16
The energy of depression can be endemic. But we have the power to flip the switch. by Sarah Lipton The dishes aren’t done, the laundry needs folding, dinner needs to be cooked and the baby won’t go down for a nap. Oh, and that long list of things ...continue
24 responses - Posted 05.28.16
Cutting through embedded patriarchy Column: Critical Intent By Alex Vlasic In my first couple of years working with the Shambhala teachings and community, gender didn’t arise as an issue for me. I heard “basic goodness” and it all felt very inclusive. Luckily, basic goodness is all-inclusive. As I have ...continue
7 responses - Posted 05.26.16
Dharma Sagara Clinic’s 20th Anniversary slogan: “Build it and they will come.” by Lee Weingrad You wake up one day, both your children are in college, your black hair has turned silver, and your fledgling Tibetan health project is twenty years old. This year we celebrate the 20th ...continue
6 responses - Posted 05.24.16
Finding joy and compassion for others in a time of personal suffering by Karen Lundy, with an Introduction by Shastri Christine Heming Introduction: In a recent article for the Times (Think About It; Beliefs Matter) I wrote about Rebecca Solnit’s book, A Paradise Built in Hell – a book about ...continue
1 response - Posted 05.22.16
Coming to terms with personal identity through the spiritual practice of Buddhism by Bryan Mendiola Illustration by Yuko Shimizu Though I was not fully aware of it at the time, it was all this hatred that led me to psychology as my profession and to Buddhism as my spiritual ...continue
4 responses - Posted 05.20.16
Sharing a personal experience of racial identity as an Asian American Buddhist by Bryan Mendiola Fingerprint with flag of the Philippines There is one important caveat: I don’t know how to talk about race. The term Asian American was never spoken in my home growing up, and this quietly ...continue
4 responses - Posted 05.18.16
Contradictory feelings about race can be honored in Buddhism. by Bryan Mendiola I didn’t realize how much I had been skirting issues of race in my life until my Buddhist path, quite unexpectedly, led me right back to them. When I completed my graduate training as a psychologist about ...continue
4 responses - Posted 05.16.16
The Sakyong Wangmo shares appreciation for precious events The Sakyong looks on as the Sakyong Wangmo lights the shrine on the first day of the puja at the Kalapa Court As I reflect from the Kalapa Court on recent events, I’m filled with appreciation for the ceremonies, ...continue
no responses - Posted 05.14.16
Using dharma and expressive arts to relate with transition when your role as caregiver is over by Andrea Sherman and Marsha Weiner There’s a profundity to caregiving. Caregiving demands that we make sacrifices of our time and resources. If we yield to the process of ...continue
2 responses - Posted 05.12.16
How dharma can ease the experience of isolation when caregiving by Andrea Sherman and Marsha Weiner We continue to explore how dharma can help mitigate caregiver burnout. In this article we explore how practicing unconditional friendship with yourself can increase your resilience and overall health and well-being, especially ...continue