July 2015 full moon 2 (blue moon) – anatta or not-self

'This is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self.' 'There is nothing in the experience of the cosmos that fits the bill of being eternal, unchanging, or that deserves to be clung to as "me" or "mine.' In last month's post, I wrote about dukkha, the second of the three "universalContinue reading "July 2015 full moon 2 (blue moon) – anatta or not-self"

July 2015 full moon – dukkha

In last month's full moon post, I wrote about impermanence.  Impermanence or anicca is one of the three "universal characteristics" recognised by the Buddha as being inherent in all experience; the other two being dukkha (usually translated as "suffering," but more accurately, unsatisfactoriness), and anatta, or not-self.  Deeply understanding these three characteristics leads to theContinue reading "July 2015 full moon – dukkha"

June 2015 full moon – impermanence

Deeply understanding the truth of impermanence - including death - is central to the Buddha's teachings, but for those of us living in contemporary western society, this can seem a very alien and alienating concept.  It's more the norm to avoid anything to do with death and dying for as long as possible, until atContinue reading "June 2015 full moon – impermanence"

Meditating together in May

Each month on or about the full moon, I've been trying to write a post about some aspect of dharma practice that's relevant to what's happening in my own life.  This next full moon though, I plan to be on retreat at the Insight Meditation Society's Forest Refuge in Barre, Massachusetts, for the whole monthContinue reading "Meditating together in May"

April 2015 full moon – “awakening community” *

Last weekend I ran a one-day workshop in Auckland, New Zealand, on the theme of "spiritual friendship," and just a few days ago I facilitated a small group discussion in Australia at the Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre, on the theme of "awakening community." These two topics feel very alive for me at the moment,Continue reading "April 2015 full moon – “awakening community” *"

February 2015 full moon – freedom from the fetter of views

While in San Francisco recently, I had an opportunity to visit Alcatraz island, the former federal penitentiary, 19th-century military fortress, site of Native American heritage and protest, and now one of America’s most visited national parks.  As we walked through the decaying cell blocks, I was struck by the layers and layers of defence thatContinue reading "February 2015 full moon – freedom from the fetter of views"

January 2015 full moon – resolution and determination

"The days and nights are relentlessly passing; how well am I spending my time?” (A question that the Buddha advised practitioners to contemplate frequently) 2015.  Each year this changing-of-the-calendar-numbers seems to arrive a little more quickly.  Each year, it seems that somehow there is less TIME ... and so at first reading, the above reflection can seem to reinforce a senseContinue reading "January 2015 full moon – resolution and determination"

December 2014 full moon – wisdom and compassion

This December full moon I happen to be assisting James Baraz with a seven-day retreat in the Yarra Valley, outside of Melbourne, Australia.  Those of you who are familiar with James' teaching know that he infuses the traditional mindfulness practices that lead to insight, with the "heart practices" known as the four brahma vihara: kindness/metta,Continue reading "December 2014 full moon – wisdom and compassion"

November 2014 full moon – Right Effort and the Middle Way

Last month, I wrote about the quality of viriya, sometimes translated as "heroic energy," and how at times, just signing up for a retreat can seem to kick-start an inner process where qualities such as determination, dedication, commitment, effort, and trust begin to deepen - even before we actually arrive at the retreat itself. AlsoContinue reading "November 2014 full moon – Right Effort and the Middle Way"

October 2014 full moon – viriya / heroic energy

Viriya: persistence; energy; vigour; courageous effort; heroic exertion I recently had the good fortune to sit a two-week retreat offered by Gil Fronsdal at the Insight Retreat Center near Santa Cruz, California.  As Gil led us deeper and deeper into one of the core texts on mindfulness of breathing, the Anapanasati Sutta, I again foundContinue reading "October 2014 full moon – viriya / heroic energy"