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
The Hill of Hua-Tzu – HIGHLIGHT
Commentary on a poem expressing deep wisdom and compassion by Noel McLellan Hua-Tzu Hill Wang: The birds fly away into infinite space: Over the whole mountain returns the splendour of autumn. Ascending and descending Hua-tzu hill, I feel unbounded bewilderment and lamentation. P’ei: The sun sets, The wind rises among the pines. Returning home, there is a little dew upon ... continuePosted June 20, 2017 by CGH
Lincoln in the Bardo – HIGHLIGHT
review of a George Saunders novel by Michelle Welch I’m often on the lookout for Buddhist-themed novels, and Lincoln in the Bardo is a new novel that received numerous critical accolades. More recently, Lion’s Roar magazine featured an interview with the author, George Saunders. I was particularly drawn ... continuePosted May 27, 2017 by CGH
Poetry Space – Shambhala Day Poetry Contest Runners Up – HIGHLIGHT
April is National Poetry Month here in the U.S., and given the confusing state of public discourse recently, I’m reminded of the words of poet William Carlos Williams who wrote, in part… “It is difficult to get the news from poems yet men die miserably every day for lack of what ... continuePosted April 11, 2017 by
The Need to Feel – HIGHLIGHT
A Shambhala teacher explores the meaning of “Environmental Melancholia” and its connection to meditation practice, through the work of artist Regan Rosburg by Shastri Christine Heming I recently participated in Proclaiming Basic Goodness: Shambhala Meditation with Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche at the Halifax Shambhala Centre. Once again I was ... continuePosted March 15, 2017 by CGH
2017 Shambhala Day Poetry Contest – HIGHLIGHT
We’re delighted to share the winning poem from this year’s Shambhala Day Poetry Contest! We had entries from across the united States and Canada as well as Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. The prompt for this year’s contest was “Fresh Start” — and here’s the winning entry. Who can ... continuePosted March 1, 2017 by
Heart to Heart Writing – HIGHLIGHT
Meditators gather in Palm Beach, Florida to explore writing as contemplative practice by Tunde Nemeth I’m so excited to be back at the Palm Beach Shambhala Centre after a summer in the Great White North, and even more excited to be doing contemplative writing again. What a contemplative writing ... continuePosted February 3, 2017 by CGH
Tiger Dancing with Flowers – HIGHLIGHT
Portland hosts a new series celebrating the Path of Appreciation in Dharma Arts: Tiger Dharma Arts Salon by Abbey Pleviak Tonight the Dharma Arts Council hosted our first Four Dignities Dharma Art Salon of the year, on the warrior quality of Tiger. Societal Health and Wellbeing Director Mark ... continuePosted January 26, 2017 by CGH
Poetry Space for Winter 2017 – HIGHLIGHT
It’s full on winter everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere now, cold and snow and snow and snow. We had a number of interesting new submissions, and we’re very pleased to publish the following two poems, both from poets who are new to Poetry Space. Huge Reminder- we’re ... continuePosted January 18, 2017 by
Shambhala Day Poetry Contest 2017 – HIGHLIGHT
We’re very excited to announce this year’s Shambhala Day Poetry Contest! The winning poem will be read aloud during the Sakyong’s annual Shambhala Day Broadcast.* The prompt for this year’s contest is “FRESH START” To enter, please submit an original, previously unpublished poem OF NO MORE THAN FOUR ... continuePosted January 14, 2017 by
Midwinter Dawn Haiku – HIGHLIGHT
Warm blush on deep snow Longest night turns to brilliance Even now light comes continuePosted January 4, 2017 by CGH
The Impulse to Reach Out – HIGHLIGHT
A songwriter’s memoir reveals connections between Dharma Art and the creative work of a punk/rock musician by Michelle Welch I love finding Buddhist themes in unexpected places, most often in books that are otherwise unrelated to Buddhism. Recently I read The Art of Asking, a memoir by rock/punk singer ... continuePosted December 27, 2016 by CGH
Celebrating the Arts – HIGHLIGHT
Naming and sharing the art that inspires you on the path by Carol Henderson As I drove to work one morning this week, fall colors in the woods on either side, and a silver glimmer bright on the lake beyond, I did what I often do behind the ... continuePosted November 2, 2016 by CGH
The Play Itself to See – HIGHLIGHT
A theatrical featurette of the play Norbu and the Mystery of the Missing Ratna by Walker Blaine As noted in the earlier article “Interview with a Shambhala Playwright,” this play was performed in Halifax as part of the Harvest of Peace celebration. Shambhala centers had the option of ... continuePosted October 1, 2016 by CGH
Interview with a Shambhala Playwright – HIGHLIGHT
This Harvest of Peace weekend, a new Shambhala play, Norbu and the Mystery of the Missing Ratna, will premier at the Halifax Shambhala Centre and a theatrical featurette about the play is being made available to all local Shambhala centres for the Harvest of Peace celebrations. ... continuePosted September 21, 2016 by CGH
Poetry Space, Fall 2016 – a New Prompt, “Into Winter…” – HIGHLIGHT
As we head into late fall and soon the early days of winter, we’re delighted to feature two poems from a poet new to Poetry Space, Sydney Solis from Boulder. As the days shorten, we are increasingly eager to review new work. This time, we’re offering a ... continuePosted September 3, 2016 by
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