Haiku 17 May 2013
I sit in zazen Staring out the window here A bird passes by
Aaron Graves
Thirsty, I Brew Tea
It’s never been possible to fabricate nature. Why do I look for enlightenment outside? All I know for truth is that there is no action in the heart. Thirsty, I brew tea; tired, I take a nap. Ven. Hye Geun (혜근스님) 1320-1376 From The Korean Way of Tea, p. 58
The Most Valuable Thing in the World
A student went to the Zen teacher Ts’ao-shan and asked, “What is the most valuable thing in the world?” Ts’ao-shan replied, “The head of a dead cat.” “Why is the head of a dead cat the most valuable thing in the world?” asked the student. “Because no one can name its price,” said Ts’ao-shan. How …
The Scientific 7-Minute Workout
What you need to know: High-intensity interval training. Do each exercise for 30 seconds, with a 10 second break in between. The 12 exercises are: Jumping jacks (Total body) Wall sit (Lower body) Push-up (Upper body) Abdominal crunch (Core) Step-up onto chair (Total body) Squat (Lower body) Triceps dip on chair (Upper body) Plank (Core) …
Haiku 3 – 6 May 2013
The dog shit again I really hope he’s ok I should cook some rice Today it’s raining For that is the true teaching Right here, in the now How do you know when The world will come to an end? Why does it matter? Here I am sitting Just writing some things down here Why …
Haiku 1 – 2 May 2013
A fan is blowing The dog exits to the deck Now he is crying Right now its snowing I can’t fucking believe it This has got to stop Someone talks far off The tapping of a keyboard Me and my Mala It is dead quiet Quite odd for an office space What am I doing?
Some Very Interesting Books
I’ve come across a few very interesting books, and am sharing them here for a two-fold purpose: To retain for my own memory and use To share with all of you The first of the books is called Mindfulness in Plain English by the Venerable Henepola Gunaratana. You can view it in PDF format by …
My Mantras
When I meditate, I prefer to do mindfulness meditation. However, sometimes I like to use a mantra (but not in the “traditional sense” I suppose). I’ve come up with (or come across) two that have worked very well for me, and I share them with you here now. I meditate every day… …it’s just what …
The Human Game
The Human Game (Alan Watts) “Now existence you see is something that is spontaneous, the Chinese word for nature (Tian ran), means that which happens of itself. Your hair grows by itself. Your heart beats by itself. You breathe pretty much by itself. Your glands secrete their essences by themselves. You don’t have voluntary control …
Skinny Broccoli Salad
Ingredients 2 heads fresh broccoli, chopped 1 head fresh cauliflower, chopped 1/2 cup chopped red pepper 1/2 cup chopped green pepper 1/2 red onion, chopped 1/2 cup green olives 1 cup tomatoes, chopped 1 cup reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 1 cup reduced-fat ranch dressing Directions Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl …