Category Archives: Insight Practice

202 – The Five Remembrances

Posted on March 2, 2012 by

Also called the Five Daily Recollections, I’ve found this set of reflections to be a powerful tool for awakening to the teachings. Larry Rosenberg has written a book on them (Living in the Light of Death: On the Art of … Continue reading →

Posted in Dhamma Matters, Five Recollections, Four Noble Truths, Insight Practice, Teachers, Vipassana | 1 Comment

201 – Consciousness / Vinnana

Posted on February 7, 2012 by

Ever since the group sit last week, I’ve been mulling over what consciousness is and how we experience it. In the West, the term is defined in various ways, but most often as representing awareness of oneself as an entity … Continue reading →

Posted in Background on Buddhism, Dhamma Discussion, Dhamma Matters, Insight Practice, Teachers | 1 Comment

200 – Perspective

Posted on January 30, 2012 by

My husband and I have been married for 41 years and have known each other since high school. In fact, I’ve known him longer than anyone except for my family of origin. That’s a lot of shared memories and experience. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dhamma Matters, Insight Practice | 1 Comment

191 – Clinging to Views

Posted on October 19, 2011 by

Disclaimer: The opinions on this or any other topic expressed in this blog express my best current understanding of the Buddha’s teachings. Like all views, they are provisional pending new information. Disagree, augment or offer alternatives in the spirit of … Continue reading →

Posted in Dhamma Discussion, Dhamma Matters, Insight Practice | 1 Comment

189 – A Moment of Freedom

Posted on October 17, 2011 by

What would it be like to be with our experience without holding on to it? If you can imagine such a state you are experiencing a moment of awakening. It is what happens when the sense doors make contact with … Continue reading →

Posted in Background on Buddhism, Dhamma Discussion, Dhamma Matters, Insight Practice, Practice, Teachers, Vipassana | 4 Comments

185 – Working with Personality View

Posted on September 26, 2011 by

The role of skillful teachers in guiding our practice can’t be over emphasized. A good teacher is like a good tour guide, pointing out the way and advising us so that we don’t stray too far from the path. When … Continue reading →

Posted in Background on Buddhism, Insight Practice, Teachers, Three Characteristics, Vipassana | Leave a comment

184 – Understanding the World

Posted on September 15, 2011 by

We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are. I know I repeatedly emphasize the conditional nature of reality. That’s because I need to remind myself everyday that information received through the sense doors is … Continue reading →

Posted in Dhamma Matters, Insight Practice, Quotations Series | Leave a comment

183 – A Point Worth Remembering

Posted on August 31, 2011 by

I saw this on Facebook the other day: If you can read this you have a strong mind: TH15 M3554G3 53RV35 TO PR0V3 H0W 0UR M1ND5 C4N D0 4M4Z1NG TH1NG5! 1MPR3551V3 TH1NG5! 1N TH3 B3G1NN1NG 1T WA5 H4RD BUT NOW, … Continue reading →

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179 – Papañca

Posted on August 10, 2011 by

HIS AND HER DIARIES FOR THE SAME DAY Her Diary: Tonight, I thought my husband was acting weird. We had made plans to meet at a nice restaurant for dinner. I was shopping with my friends all day long, so … Continue reading →

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178 – There Is a River

Posted on August 2, 2011 by

My experience of the mind has changed over the course of four decades of practice. At first, although I knew that thoughts were present, “I” didn’t perceive that I was not my thoughts. I hadn’t learned to step back and … Continue reading →

Posted in Dhamma Matters, Insight Practice, Practice, Three Characteristics, Vipassana | 2 Comments