All posts by Anushka Fernandopulle

Monday Night Dharma is born!

.Meditation, Monday Night DharmaDharma, gender, meditation, MondayAnushka Fernandopulle

April 2013 I am starting a regular dharma group in San Francisco Mission, which will start in May w a 6 session meditation class, and then continue as a regular dharma group (Monday Night Dharma).

Part of the reason for my starting the group is that it was pointed out to me that almost all of the Dharma groups in the area are run by male teachers, and it seems an imbalance that there are not more voices of women (or people of other genders) sharing the Dharma as well. This is a common pattern in most spiritual traditions, which I think is not good for anyone, and not reflective of the truth. So instead of just complaining about it, I am stepping up to the seat, 15 years after my teacher initially suggested I do this, and after 7 years of being a gypsy dharma speaker around town. Better late than procrastinating forever! The group is open to everyone, so please come join us. The group will meet at CIIS, 1453 Mission St in San Francisco on most Mondays at 7pm. Check the home page here for dates and details. See you there!

Your Body and the Elements

.Buddhism, Meditation, Modern Life Applications, Naturebody, elements, windAnushka Fernandopulle

Mar 2013 One of the interesting contemplations you can do is recognizing your body as nature. The elements of earth, air, fire, water (or solidity, movement, heat, and liquid) can be felt directly in the body and seen in nature. Our bodies are made of these elements, supported by these elements, constructed by these elements. You can read my piece Urban Elements on doing this contemplation in an urban setting. I recently saw this dynamic wind map of the United States which shows the movement of wind currents over the country. It is mesmerizing to watch, but maybe can also help us to get in touch with the constant movement in our own body at the same time.

Presidential Inauguration and Equality

.Current Events, Equality, Politicsinauguration, Obama, selma, seneca falls, stonewallAnushka Fernandopulle

Feb 2013 I had the opportunity to attend the Presidential Inauguration last month, which was the first time I have done such a thing. It was inspiring to be standing on the lawn of the Capitol and to hear the President laying out a vision for America: “We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths—that all of us are created equal—is the star that guides us still, just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall, just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great Mall….It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts. Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law — for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.” Out of compassion and wisdom, may it be so.

Who Do You Think You Are?

.Buddhism, Identity, Modern Life Applicationscraving, Fear, identity, NYT, tanha bhavaAnushka Fernandopulle

Jan 2013 Who do you think you are? When you were younger, what was your idea about what you would be like now? And who will you be in the future?This is related to the concept of tanha bhava, or craving for becoming, in the Buddhist teaching.

Here is an interesting article with some studies about how people see their identity as fluid in the past but fixed for the future. Perhaps due to fear of the unknown….

Monastic Scholars and Present Magazine

.Buddhism, MonasticsAmerica, Ayya Tathaaloka, Bhikkhu Bodhi, Dhammadharini, monasticsAnushka Fernandopulle

Dec 2012 I had the honor this past month to teach a study retreat with some fine scholars/monastics, including Bhikkhu Bodhi, translator of many of the most commonly used English version Suttas, and Ayya Tathaaloka, senior American Theravada Bhikkhuni and founder of Aranya Bodhi hermitage and Dhammadharini women’s monastic community in northern California. I learned of a great online resource put out by the Alliance for Bhikkhunis, a magazine called Present (great title!) Check it out!

Mindfulness & Leadership Retreat 2012

.Leadership, Mindfulness, Retreatleaders, leadership, mindfulness, Spirit RockAnushka Fernandopulle

Nov 2012 I am continuing the work I am doing on Mindfulness and Leadership with a workshop at Spirit Rock on Sat Nov 3. Developing these skills can help you as a leader, no matter what field you are in, with clarity of vision and the ability to be more emotionally aware. Please come join us if you can!

Preschoolers and Compassion

.Compassion, Science, Studiescompassion, preschoolers, studiesAnushka Fernandopulle

Oct 2012 I just went to a lecture at Stanford about neuroscience research going on about compassion practice. While I am already a believer in the efficacy of meditative practices without charts and graphs to convince me, it seems helpful for many people to see the religion of science confirm that you can change your brain and patterns through practice!

One study was done with preschoolers in teaching them compassion meditation, and then observing how they distributed stickers more equitably after this amongst their friend, enemy, and strangers. This stuff works, whether with PhDs or preschoolers!

Grief is Dynamic

.Grief, Modern Life ApplicationsChildren, death, grief, parentsAnushka Fernandopulle

Sept 2012 The death of a loved one, particularly a child, can be one of the hardest things to deal with in life. For those who have suffered from such a loss in their life, I would like to share the blog of a dear friend Catherine Murray http://www.lovelosshope.com/ whose young son died of leukemia at age seven. She has begun posting her reflections here on grief, healing, and being a mother to her two remaining sons. As she writes “grief is dynamic”. May this help to ease the hearts of those who feel they are suffering alone.

Renunciation and Ramadan

.Consumerism, Renunciation, UncategorizedRamadan, renunciation, Wise IntentionAnushka Fernandopulle

Aug 2012 We can learn a lot from different spiritual traditions. This the month of Ramadan in Islam, where Muslims fast during the daylight hours for a whole month, an admirable example of renunciation.

What is there that we can consider letting go of in our life? What possessions that we are hanging on to are unnecessary? What habits of mind and body can we let go of? Where can we simplify our life for greater focus and even enjoyment?