Dec 21
Monday
How Can Art Enhance The Experience Of Meditation?
Photo by Jelleke Vanooteghem on Unsplash
By “Jackie Writing Jackie”
Meditation and mindfulness are vital practices embraced by Buddhists, owing to their ability to keep the mind on the eightfold path, as well as the many benefits they bestow on human mental health. If, in the past, meditation was seen as an ‘alternative therapy’ practiced by Buddhists and members of specific faiths, today, up to 500 million people of all ages, beliefs and backgrounds practice meditation as a way to battle stress, improve their mood and focus, and feel more connected to a force that is larger than themselves. In order to enhance mindfulness during meditation, many tools are used – everything from selecting natural settings to choosing calming aromas. Art, however, can also boost the state of being ‘in the here and now’ and serve as a practical tool during meditation practice.
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Entries filed under Arts and Poetry
Shambhala Music-Making: Second Movement – HIGHLIGHT
A Story in 2 Movements by Madeline Bruser David’s Story Sometimes a musician is ready for a major breakthrough. David came to my weeklong summer program at Karme Choling hoping to rediscover the joy he used to feel in playing the viola. Twenty years ... continuePosted February 28, 2013 by
Shambhala Music-Making: Joining Two Lineages – HIGHLIGHT
COLUMN: In Everyday Life In which we visit with Shambhala practitioners from all walks of life to hear stories about their life, livelihood and how their meditation practice permeates their everyday experience. In this story, presented in two movements, as it were, we find out about the path ... continuePosted February 24, 2013 by
Baucis and Philemon
A Greek myth from Ovid translated by Rolph Humphries read by Celsiana Warwick at Paul Warwick’s Sukhavati February 5, 2013 An oak tree stands Beside a linden, in the Phrygian hills. There’s a low wall around them. I have seen The place myself; a prince once sent me there To a land ruled by ... continuePosted February 17, 2013 by
Saving the Planet with Rhyme and A Little Reason
Saving this Planet With Rhyme and a Little Reason As I contemplate this worlds ’sad and sorry state; Abominations of global warming, and massive pollution, Problems to which luck and serendipity are mans’ only solution I realize ... continuePosted January 6, 2013 by
The Buddha, Humming – HIGHLIGHT
Short story by Lorna Drew When I walked into the room, the Buddha was humming. I knew because the rice kernels in the bowls were tinkling, and because the Buddha had done this before. He’d been humming for a while now, but I’d never confronted him. This ... continuePosted December 17, 2012 by
A Precious Gift – HIGHLIGHT
As it nears the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere, the Shambhala Times wanted to warm our readers up with a summertime story about dathun. Dathun is a month of meditation that provides a deep experience for the practitioner, on and off the cushion, whether ... continuePosted December 12, 2012 by
Burning Lake
burning lake Ourside altar and offerings at Burning Lake, Bumthang province, Bhutan. November 2012 each flag offers a prayer for all sentient beings, and behind that the hopes of the hangers for a better life, for better luck next time. here, they hang from every high place, dancing in the wind like fruit on the ... continuePosted December 9, 2012 by
Rites of Passage: Longing
Grand Tetons by David BrownLonging poem written by the group that went through the first Rites of Passage for the stages of life, held at Karme Choling, autumn 2012 Broken hearted kiss Embracing the planet It’s good to grow old Soft green blade of grass Drops of dew Tomorrow there will be frost Grieving ... continuePosted November 26, 2012 by
Sky Dancer – HIGHLIGHT
Introducing a new series of photographs called Sky Dancer photos by Dana Marshall, Bussum, Netherlands The power of the female body is that it is the link between heaven and earth. Sky Dancer touches on embodied feminine energy. These images are a proclamation of strength and playfulness. They are ... continuePosted November 18, 2012 by
The Sakyongs Have Returned – HIGHLIGHT
Introducing a new a collection of contemplative poetry and prose: The Sakyongs Have Returned by David Whitehorn Spontaneous poems and toasts are a delightful part of Shambhala culture. Perhaps like other long-time Shambhala practitioners, throughout the years I have been writing down spontaneous poetry and prose whenever the ... continuePosted October 28, 2012 by
Snapshots of Basic Goodness: August – HIGHLIGHT
This regular posting features snapshots of basic goodness as seen out in the world, on the street, in the countryside, in another country, at work, home, garden or grocery store. (Click on each image to view larger.) Desk, by David Wilde continuePosted August 12, 2012 by
How Good the World! – HIGHLIGHT
The Road – in progresspaintings offered by Christine Labich, of the Pioneer Valley Shambhala Center Christine Labich has been gazing at, studying, and tending to the natural world for her lifetime, beginning with her childhood on a pioneering organic farm in New Hampshire. She studied ecology and ... continuePosted August 11, 2012 by
Integrating Head & Heart – HIGHLIGHT
by Brandon Rennels, from The Under 35 Project A year ago I was sitting at a cafe in Ann Arbor, enjoying breakfast with a beloved professor from university. When I was in school he taught a course entitled Psychology of Consciousness, which was one my first introductions ... continuePosted August 8, 2012 by
Windhorse in Paint – HIGHLIGHT
THE GIANT “Le colosse” acrylic on paper (45″X76″)paintings by Marjolaine Robert, www.marjolainerobert.com Here are four photos of my last paintings. The exhibit is called CHEVAL DU VENT (Windhorse) and I have 21 of “my horses” for that exhibit. With this exhibit, I present the principle of windhorse ... continuePosted August 5, 2012 by
Hustle Meditation – HIGHLIGHT
by Caitlin Bargenquast, from The Under 35 Project “Longing to attain complete enlightenment for the sake of others is what is meant by arousing bodhicitta.” ~Maitreya, “Abhisamayalankara” hus·tle |’hǝsǝl| non-adverb 1.[trans.] [intrans.] the choiceless choice, flow, do nothing and everything is done: Somewhere, and then somewhere again, in the midst of ... continuePosted August 1, 2012 by
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