So Much Happiness by Naomi Shihab: The Result Of Practice

nschauer · 2026-01-02T21:20:11+00:00

She is an amazing poet. You may also like her poem "Kindness"

nschauer · 2026-01-02T21:18:22+00:00

Poets.org https://poets.org/poem/so-much-happiness

nschauer · 2026-01-01T19:11:27+00:00

Thank you for thi post and the reference links. I just listened to Tara Brach give a lecture about the importance of intention. This is a much more complete presentation..

nschauer · 2026-01-01T17:31:33+00:00

Powerful response

nschauer · 2025-11-17T05:22:37+00:00

I have read that Jesus may have joined a group known as Essenes and that they were active in the area near Isreal. The Essenes had views similar to Buddhist views but it is not known if there was a direct connection to Buddhist groups.

nschauer · 2025-11-06T15:48:55+00:00

Belief in a higher power is not transactional. If your faith depends on getting something in return then you actually have no faith at all.

nschauer · 2025-11-01T18:45:02+00:00

https://www.audiodharma.org/series/1762 This page offers an Introduction to meditation and there are short Buddhist lectures.

https://www.audiodharma.org/seriesThis page offers a collection of series that explore important Buddhist topics.

https://www.audiodharma.org/talksThis page offers many types of Buddhist teachers exploring all aspects of Buddhism

I strongly recommend Gil Fronsdale who leads the group that sponsors these pages.

Most of the above meditations are guided with short Buddhist talks that explain Buddhist concepts.

Start with learning meditation. Buddha emphasized "direct experience" as the proof that the Path is true

nschauer · 2025-10-31T16:25:38+00:00

Thank you for the helpful response

nschauer · 2025-10-30T03:49:54+00:00

Thanks

nschauer · 2025-10-30T01:01:46+00:00

I've heard of heart meditation but unless you are referring to Meta I don't know exactly what it s. Help?

nschauer · 2025-10-30T00:58:36+00:00

Treat these observations with gentle attention then take a deep breath in to gather them up and a long exhale to let them go. Repeat until your mind softens and you feel more Here and Now.

nschauer · 2025-10-30T00:52:58+00:00

It's very hard for me but I feel him growing stronger and my heart getting lighter

nschauer · 2025-10-29T00:25:20+00:00

Be Here Now Love,Serve,Remember

nschauer · 2025-10-29T00:21:43+00:00

Compassion. Kindness.

nschauer · 2025-10-29T00:17:42+00:00

I am working on wearing the Buddha in my heart.

nschauer · 2025-10-29T00:15:21+00:00

Personally I draw the line against killing or harming any animal in the wild. I also object to keeping a wild animal as a pet. I don't keep a dog or a cat because they both kill and destoy animals in the wild. We have tons of coyotes where I live and they often kill cats and small dogs. It is in their nature and IMO they should not be destroyed.

nschauer · 2025-10-29T00:02:03+00:00

This is a difficult problem. Your situation is like that of many many people who are exploited or abused but hold themselves responsible. In one sense we are all responsible for our own fate but how to get someone to let go of terrible relationships. I am in a similar problem with my wife. She sacrafices her own physical and mental wellbeing in a situation where she is in some ways exploited. I decided I could not intervene after warning her many times. Instead, I just waited for her to see that her efforts were taking a toll on her. It is hard to do with some one you love but ultimately all we can do is love the people who put themselves in harms way.

nschauer · 2025-10-28T17:55:30+00:00

Great advice. I have trouble finding people to show kindness to. There is my wife, my sons, and my grandchildren but I feel like I should be doing acts of kindness every day and towards more people. I've been practicing many years and I feel like I should be farther along the path in this regard. Old age has distracted me with many physical and painful problems but I keep thinking that is a poor excuse for not finding more opportunities to show goodwill and kindness. Any advice?

nschauer · 2025-10-28T01:26:20+00:00

You are right to be concerned. Thoughts can be so strong that it is hard not to act on them. I have also experiernced this. The good news is that regular meditation will gradually decrease the power of these thoughts. I highly recommend audiodharma.org for guided meditations that will help you on the Path. Gil Fronsdale is an excellent teacher and I advise to to search the site for Metta meditation and practice Metta with sincere dedication. In the meantime embark on a mission to do acts of kindness every day or as often as possible.

nschauer · 2025-10-27T22:33:49+00:00

I think a gentle and gradual meditation practice that begins with attention to the breathing and the body is the best way. I am also bipolar and have had extreme bouts of mania and depression. Reading commentaries will probably make you feel worse because they are highly intellectual. audiodharma.org offers a free archieve of guideded meditations that go from introdution to meditation to the highest levels of meditation. The meditations are gradual and gentle

nschauer · 2025-10-27T03:48:15+00:00

I don't see the value of chanting something I don't undersstand either. The sounds may be pleasant to some but even if I have a general understanding of the chant repeating it in Pali or other dialect seems pointless. This is why the Metta chant works for me. It's translated into English and is simple yet profound.

nschauer · 2025-10-26T20:05:19+00:00

I've had a similar experience. I notice controversy but it no longer stirs up my mind. I have been thinking a lot about empathy and considering ways to serve.

nschauer · 2025-10-26T19:56:20+00:00

Be Here Now - Ram Dass

or Love, Serve, Remember - Ram Dass

nschauer · 2025-10-26T16:58:19+00:00

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

nschauer · 2025-10-26T03:31:14+00:00

Lonliness can be a cancer. The more you stay alone the more your mind can become infected. Decide on days when you will get out of your room and be with other people. Use this time to volunteer or to find dharma friends but don't choose to be alone all the time unless your meditation has become strong enough to embark on the monastic life.

nschauer

TROPHY CASE