Aug 2011 I’ve spent some time this summer clearing out some old boxes of letters from the days in which, well, people actually wrote long handwritten letters! It gave me some appreciation for the time it took to write them, the patience for the letter to arrive, and then the waiting for a response. Technology is great (enables this web communication to take place with people all over the world!) but there is something to be said for taking more time with people, in person or in writing than the speed of email, texting, ot tweeting inclines us towards. So here’s to giving each other full and deep attention in friendships and relationships, whether in conversation or in written correspondence…..try it and see what happens! Here’s a talk I gave on Dharma and Technology.
All posts by Anushka Fernandopulle
Dharma of Harry Potter
July 2011 The new Harry Potter film comes out this month, which has shades of dharma practice. The Petronus spell, used to protect oneself from painful horrific Dementors, is much like the protection of metta practice. Harry is supported by his sila or integrity, as he won’t kill others. If you are a fan, keep your eyes out for other similarities! Or even better, come on retreat and develop your own magic powers! In the meantime, here’s a dharma talk about the Dharma of Harry Potter for you…..
Reunions and Conferences
June 2011 I enjoyed attending a Western Buddhist Teacher’s Conference this month in New York with many amazing teachers from the US, Canada, and Europe, lay and monastic. This is a rare gathering that last happened 10 years ago, when it was attended by the Dalai Lama among others. It reminded me of the importance of connecting with wise people who can inspire you about the possibilities of human transformation. I also attended my 20th college reunion this past month at Harvard University, where I was inspired by all the incredible things my classmates and other alumni/ae are doing in the world in so many fields– business, technology, arts, politics. I am feeling blessed and inspired by both these gatherings….
Distribution of Wealth and Suffering
May 2011: The distribution of wealth in US society has become more unequal in the last 30 years than it has been since the Great Depression. While the top 1% has access to over 35% of the nation’s wealth, the bottom 80% has access to less than 13%. This puts us close to Mexico and Sri Lanka in terms of inequality, rather then with other more affluent countries and has impacts on health, lifespan, and quality of life. Our situation as a society makes it a struggle for many people to live: for instance, more than 14% of the population are using food stamps to get by. When asked to guess, most Americans think that our society is far more equal than it actually is. As a dimension of recognizing interconnectedness and out of a sense of compassion, it is good for us to be aware of this and to feel out what a wise response is for us individually and collectively. Click any of the underlined links to learn more.
Watching News Through Lens of Dharma
Apr 2011: Recently there has been a lot of intense, exciting, and challenging news about our world: revolutions in the Arab world ; earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdowns in Japan; and much more. How can we take all this in? Is it possible to make this part of our spiritual practice? I have been reflecting on this recently; here are some of my thoughts (a work in progress)
Rebirth in Ohio
Mar 2011: Here is an interesting video of an American boy who remembers a lot about his past life. There are many documented cases like this in Buddhist countries where kids (usually under age 6) have memories of their identity in their preceding birth, including their name, family members, where they lived, how they died, etc. This one is unusual in that the family did not believe in rebirth (nor, of course, does American society, broadly speaking). You don’t have to believe it, but it may make you consider the possibility! I like how the parents are loving and supportive of the little boy even though he surprises them. “Child’s Nightmares and Memories Prove Reincarnation”
Ajahn Maha Bua and Who We Are
Feb 2011: This past month, a significant meditation master from the Thai Forest tradition died, Ajahn Maha Bua (aka Ajahn Maha Boowa). He was a student of Ajahn Mun, another significant Buddhist meditation master of this past century. Ajahn Maha Bua taught about the citta (heart/mind) and how we mistake the kilesas (defilements, like greed, hatred, delusion) to be who we really are.
‘Our real problem, our one fundamental problem—which is also the citta’s fundamental problem—is that we lack the power needed to be our own true self. Instead, we have always taken counterfeit things to be the essence of who we really are, so that the citta’s behavior is never in harmony with its true nature. Rather, it expresses itself through the kilesas’ cunning deceits, which cause it to feel anxious and frightened of virtually everything … As a result, the citta is forever full of worries and fears. And although fear and worry are not intrinsic to the citta, they still manage to produce apprehension there. When the citta has been cleansed so that it is absolutely pure and free of all involvement, only then will we see a citta devoid of all fear. Then, neither fear nor courage appear, only the citta’s true nature, existing naturally alone on its own, forever independent of time and space. Only that appears—nothing else. This is the genuine citta’.
If you would like to read some of his teachings, you can find them here.
Meditation Changes the Brain
Jan 2011: It’s now official that meditation works, because it says so in the New York Times 😉 Neuroplasticity continues throughout life, so you can change your brain!
Life Passes By Fast…
May 2010: In coming into harmony with the way things are (aka the Dharma) one reflection that is helpful is about the fleeting nature of our lives. Change is inescapable and relentless. To this end, here is a link to a photographic project that captures one family’s account of their faces over more than 30 years. Consider doing this yourself (by collecting photos of yourself over time and lining them up, or by starting such a project this year). Enjoy!