zenwrit

In the past, I was not very fond of ordaining people or having disciples. I tried to avoid that, especially when I saw that there were many other teachers. But during my visit last year, I changed my idea. We have to support each other, and the practice of the precepts is very important to help us. We do not practice meditation alone. We practice with a teacher and with friends

deep breath

Instead of demanding of yourself that your work meet a certain standard, ask yourself “what would I like to write if I could write anything in the world?”

Recognize that “If’s” have their purpose, but just ask yourself if you could let go of the particular “if” for just this moment.

The need for perfection

1. Analysis paralysis

Being good enough

Letting your opinion of yourself shape the quality of your writing is something we all do but few of us realize

Motivation and rationalization (“I’ll do it tomorrow”)

Become mindful that you are withdrawing into yourself and ruminating, rather than expressing yourself externally. Notice when you begin thinking about a task rather than doing it and ask yourself “would I rather internalize and think right now to no end or would I rather be producing something real right now?” Use mindfulness to catch yourself and transform rumination into action on-the-spot.

Becoming mindful of the value you assign your writing involves setting aside time every day to write and treating it as almost a “sacred space.”

Quick tips for mindful writing

Hindrances

Factors of Enlightenment   1. Mindfulness

2. Investigation   3. Energy   4. Rapture   5. Tranquillity   6. Concentration   7. Equanimity 

  1. Sensuous lust   2. Aversion and ill will   3. Sloth and torpor   4. Restlessness and worry   5. Sceptical doubt

2. Sorrow (dukkha)

   3. Selflessness (anatta)

   1. Transiency (anicca)

1. Suffering exists   2. Suffering arises from attachment to desires   3. Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases   4. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path

Move beyond concept of the "environment"

Change is possible only if there is a recognition that people and planet are ultimately one and the same.

You carry Mother Earth within you

Mother Earth is not just your environment

Fear, separation, hate and anger come from the wrong view that you and the earth are two separate entities

Putting an economic value on nature is not enough

We want to be connected. That is the meaning of love, to be at one. When you love someone you want to say I need you, I take refuge in you. You do anything for the benefit of the Earth and the Earth will do anything for your wellbeing

When we recognise the virtues, the talent, the beauty of Mother Earth, something is born in us, some kind of connection, love is born

Looking deeply, we see that it's possible to work in the corporate world in a way that brings a lot of happiness both to other people and to us ... our work has meaning

How mindfulness can reconnect people to

Mother Earth

Many people suffer deeply and they do not know they suffer

They try to cover up the suffering by being busy. Many people get sick today because they get alienated from Mother Earth.

The practice of mindfulness helps us to touch Mother Earth inside of the body and this practice can help heal people

be awake to the fact that the earth is in danger and living species are in danger

Every moment can be a happy moment.

Need to deal with ones own anger to be an effective social activist

Only if people discover compassion for themselves will they be able to confront those they hold accountable for polluting our seas and cutting down our forests

Sometimes something wrong is going on in the world and we think it is the other people who are doing it and we are not doing it.

. If you are burdened with anger, fear, ignorance and you suffer too much, you cannot help another person.

Touching the "ultimate dimension"

We know that we do not have to look for the ultimate outside of ourselves – it is available within us, in this very moment

there is a very real risk that we will continue on our destructive path and that civilisation may collapse.

When the need to survive is replaced with greed and pride, there is violence, which always brings about unnecessary devastation.

If we are able to touch deeply the historical dimension – through a leaf, a flower, a pebble, a beam of light, a mountain, a river, a bird, or our own body – we touch at the same time the ultimate dimension.

Remaining optimistic despite risk of impending catastrophe

maintaining optimism is essential if we are to find a way of avoiding devastating climate change and the enormous social upheavals that will result.

We have constructed a system we can't control. It imposes itself on us, and we become its slaves and victims.

In my mind I see a group of chickens in a cage disputing over a few seeds of grain, unaware that in a few hours they will all be killed

Zen is not some kind of excitement, but concentration on our usual everyday routine

Do one thing at a time.

Do it slowly and deliberately.

Do it completely.

Do less.

Put space between things.

Develop rituals.

Designate time for certain things.

Devote time to sitting.

Smile and serve others.

Make cleaning and cooking become meditation.

Think about what is necessary.

Live simply.

Before enlightenment chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood and carry water

“We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.” - Thich Nhat Hanh

simplicity of their lives, the concentration and mindfulness of every activity, the calm and peace they find in their days.

“We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.”

Perhaps the best remedy for overconfidence is an awareness as to when it is most likely to strike

irst, overconfidence is most common in hard tasks

Second, it increases with familiarity

Overconfidence also increases with information

Finally, overconfidence increases with action