Buddhism in daily life - Mindfulness in every day tasks Archiv
364 Episoden
7 Minuten
The Spiritual Guide Part 2
Have you heard the first parts about the "spiritual guides" here on my podcast?
How to recognize a good spiritual teacher, after all, is not so easy.
For my part, I see the Buddha as one of the greatest spiritual teachers in human history, whose philosophy has greatly influenced and impressed me. But now we live in a confusing and also frightening time, so many people need comfort and encouragement in the here and now.
What should one look for when seeking a spiritual teacher? What to do when the constant problems seem at least temporarily overwhelming, when a person feels alone? Or if one wants to have the words of Buddha explained simply and clearly?
Even the great teachers, such as Buddha or Jesus, were ordinary people, just like you and me. What ultimately makes the difference between a great teacher and an ordinary person is the fact that the spiritual leader also consistently completed the path of spirituality, did not give up, put his life at the service of others. It is true that at the beginning of his path, the spiritual leader also sought liberation from human suffering, and for this he had to leave behind his possessions, abandon his family, renounce worldly things, set out on his own search, listen to different opinions, test countless teachers.
In the case of Buddha, enlightenment came to him when he no longer expected it and had already given up everything. The teacher of all teachers summarized this enlightenment in his worldview, which we call Buddhism today. One of his core statements was that every person can find his Buddha nature, by overcoming suffering then achieve complete inner freedom.
However, in order to understand the teachings of the Indian prince, we sometimes need teachers, role models, or an appropriate community to practice the appropriate rituals, practices, and prayers, and to convey the spirit of the Buddha. Buddhism in particular is about the ego, which is the nucleus of suffering, which first brings in the temptations and delusions in the mind palace.
A good Buddhist spiritual teacher knows about the problems of the mind and the charms of the beautiful appearance. He himself knows the path of the Buddha towards enlightenment, is ready to follow the path, and in the best case has already passed through the gateless gate. You don't recognize a good spiritual guide by a beautifully made website, nor by really great photos, nor by such great promises. Nor by expensive seminars or physical attempts at greater closeness.
A good spiritual guide can be recognized by whether his statements touch you or not.
The way is the goal!
Those who speak wise words much and often, but fail to follow the right path in their actions, do not become members of a holy community, are shepherds who count other people's cattle.
- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
Have you heard the first parts about the "spiritual guides" here on my podcast?
How to recognize a good spiritual teacher, after all, is not so easy.
For my part, I see the Buddha as one of the greatest spiritual teachers in human history, whose philosophy has greatly influenced and impressed me. But now we live in a confusing and also frightening time, so many people need comfort and encouragement in the here and now.
What should one look for when seeking a spiritual teacher? What to do when the constant problems seem at least temporarily overwhelming, when a person feels alone? Or if one wants to have the words of Buddha explained simply and clearly?
Even the great teachers, such as Buddha or Jesus, were ordinary people, just like you and me. What ultimately makes the difference between a great teacher and an ordinary person is the fact that the spiritual leader also consistently completed the path of spirituality, did not give up, put his life at the service of others. It is true that at the beginning of his path, the spiritual leader also sought liberation from human suffering, and for this he had to leave behind his possessions, abandon his family, renounce worldly things, set out on his own search, listen to different opinions, test countless teachers.
In the case of Buddha, enlightenment came to him when he no longer expected it and had already given up everything. The teacher of all teachers summarized this enlightenment in his worldview, which we call Buddhism today. One of his core statements was that every person can find his Buddha nature, by overcoming suffering then achieve complete inner freedom.
However, in order to understand the teachings of the Indian prince, we sometimes need teachers, role models, or an appropriate community to practice the appropriate rituals, practices, and prayers, and to convey the spirit of the Buddha. Buddhism in particular is about the ego, which is the nucleus of suffering, which first brings in the temptations and delusions in the mind palace.
A good Buddhist spiritual teacher knows about the problems of the mind and the charms of the beautiful appearance. He himself knows the path of the Buddha towards enlightenment, is ready to follow the path, and in the best case has already passed through the gateless gate. You don't recognize a good spiritual guide by a beautifully made website, nor by really great photos, nor by such great promises. Nor by expensive seminars or physical attempts at greater closeness.
A good spiritual guide can be recognized by whether his statements touch you or not.
The way is the goal!
Those who speak wise words much and often, but fail to follow the right path in their actions, do not become members of a holy community, are shepherds who count other people's cattle.
- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
7 Minuten
Sleep disorders
Many people suffer from sleep disorders. Either they have trouble falling asleep, or they can't sleep through the night, many sufferers are tired during the day, or they suffer from several complaints at once.
Occasionally not sleeping well seems to be a lesser evil compared to real disorders, but for some people sleep disorders determine their entire life.
Who does not know it occasionally once not to sleep well, to wake up too early, or not to fall asleep after going to the toilet. But there are people who almost can not sleep properly, are constantly not rested, tired and grumpy. In general, sleep disorders are among the most common health disorders among Germans.
A normal sleep should last 7 or 8 hours, but the time can vary from person to person, some people manage with less than six hours, other people sleep 10 hours without a break (I am one of them). Older people in particular report that their need for sleep decreases as they age.
Those who do not sleep enough can suffer from depression or other mental disorders, which then also affect their general physical health, the cat bites the tail.
Causes of sleep disorders are many. Probably the most common reasons of poor sleep are diseases of the mind, such as depression or anxiety disorders. However, dementia or diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's completely change sleep patterns. Another and common cause of poor and insufficient sleep is the use of drugs or alcohol, especially even when the stimulants are discontinued.
Especially older people suffer from nocturnal breathing disorders, which then naturally have an impact on sleep. But also snoring (as well as snoring of the partner) prevent a pleasant sleep.
Furthermore, there are many people who suffer from hormonal diseases that make restful sleep almost impossible. But also chronic pain, arthritis or arthrosis, as well as back pain deprive many sufferers of their sleep.
The complaints fall into two broad categories, those who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and the group that is exhausted, tired or nervous throughout the day. Of course, the two groups may overlap, or the complaints may occur together. Regardless of which group one may belong to, the quality of life suffers greatly, moods can change constantly and it is not far to depression. As a result, the environment, the family or the partner leads.
In order to determine the group exactly, in most cases a specialist is to be visited who looks at the medical history exactly and leads a detailed discussion with the concerning.
Read on here in the next few days on the subject of sleep disorders.
The way is the goal!
Mindful among the easy-going, watchful in the sleeper's circles: as the horse flies past the nag, the wise man leaves them behind.
- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
Many people suffer from sleep disorders. Either they have trouble falling asleep, or they can't sleep through the night, many sufferers are tired during the day, or they suffer from several complaints at once.
Occasionally not sleeping well seems to be a lesser evil compared to real disorders, but for some people sleep disorders determine their entire life.
Who does not know it occasionally once not to sleep well, to wake up too early, or not to fall asleep after going to the toilet. But there are people who almost can not sleep properly, are constantly not rested, tired and grumpy. In general, sleep disorders are among the most common health disorders among Germans.
A normal sleep should last 7 or 8 hours, but the time can vary from person to person, some people manage with less than six hours, other people sleep 10 hours without a break (I am one of them). Older people in particular report that their need for sleep decreases as they age.
Those who do not sleep enough can suffer from depression or other mental disorders, which then also affect their general physical health, the cat bites the tail.
Causes of sleep disorders are many. Probably the most common reasons of poor sleep are diseases of the mind, such as depression or anxiety disorders. However, dementia or diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's completely change sleep patterns. Another and common cause of poor and insufficient sleep is the use of drugs or alcohol, especially even when the stimulants are discontinued.
Especially older people suffer from nocturnal breathing disorders, which then naturally have an impact on sleep. But also snoring (as well as snoring of the partner) prevent a pleasant sleep.
Furthermore, there are many people who suffer from hormonal diseases that make restful sleep almost impossible. But also chronic pain, arthritis or arthrosis, as well as back pain deprive many sufferers of their sleep.
The complaints fall into two broad categories, those who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and the group that is exhausted, tired or nervous throughout the day. Of course, the two groups may overlap, or the complaints may occur together. Regardless of which group one may belong to, the quality of life suffers greatly, moods can change constantly and it is not far to depression. As a result, the environment, the family or the partner leads.
In order to determine the group exactly, in most cases a specialist is to be visited who looks at the medical history exactly and leads a detailed discussion with the concerning.
Read on here in the next few days on the subject of sleep disorders.
The way is the goal!
Mindful among the easy-going, watchful in the sleeper's circles: as the horse flies past the nag, the wise man leaves them behind.
- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
7 Minuten
The Spiritual Guide
What is meant by a spiritual leader?
All religions, philosophies and worldviews have leaders, masterminds, gurus or priests. Almost always there is a person (or group) dedicated to transmitting the teachings (such as me, who brings the words of Buddha into the present).
In Buddhism there is also a special connection between teacher and student, because the teaching is to be passed on directly (as far as possible).
Alone the countless variations of Buddha's world view offers as a subject of study plenty of material to fill entire books, but Buddha's teachings were written down only long after his death, time brought one or the other modification, various translations made the situation even more confusing.
Today it is difficult to figure out what came from Buddha, and what scholars interpreted into the philosophy after his passing.
To get an overview here as a beginner in Buddhism is almost impossible, the need for guidance is obvious. Each teacher usually follows the teachings he/she was taught, in my case my master Shi Yanzi, who is now the head of Shaolin Temple London. He in turn follows his master, who is today the abbot of Shaolin Temple in China, Shi Yong Xin. The Mother Temple in turn follows the view of Bodhidharma, the founder of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, and of course the Buddha as the supreme authority.
In the beginning, there is the basic knowledge about the Buddhist teachings, which I try to integrate into everyday things in my texts, in order to present them in a palatable way and in morsels.
However, Buddhism is different from the monotheistic teachings familiar to Central Europeans; in Buddhism, one's own initiative is required, one must do one's own research. The matter is not finished with a gift into the offering box, no, to reach perfection effort and perpetual effort is necessary.
Logically I can be here only the signpost, the way must go all seekers themselves, comparable with a mountain guide I will show the way to the summit, but not for other people the path then go.
Sometimes every human being is a student, occasionally also a teacher. Especially the internet is teeming with teachers, with "net preachers" of all kinds, spiritual instructions with every possible focus, you can also pray to a fish head, if you only firmly believe in it.
What are the duties of a spiritual teacher in Buddhism?
He/she must teach the spiritual teachings of Buddha, explain his philosophy, point out the essence in his/her own words, point to personal awakening with an outstretched finger. I point, you go. If you don't want to then just stop, then maybe you go on another time.
The way is the goal!
Perfect is the hero, the leader, the great seer, the one who achieves victories
- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
What is meant by a spiritual leader?
All religions, philosophies and worldviews have leaders, masterminds, gurus or priests. Almost always there is a person (or group) dedicated to transmitting the teachings (such as me, who brings the words of Buddha into the present).
In Buddhism there is also a special connection between teacher and student, because the teaching is to be passed on directly (as far as possible).
Alone the countless variations of Buddha's world view offers as a subject of study plenty of material to fill entire books, but Buddha's teachings were written down only long after his death, time brought one or the other modification, various translations made the situation even more confusing.
Today it is difficult to figure out what came from Buddha, and what scholars interpreted into the philosophy after his passing.
To get an overview here as a beginner in Buddhism is almost impossible, the need for guidance is obvious. Each teacher usually follows the teachings he/she was taught, in my case my master Shi Yanzi, who is now the head of Shaolin Temple London. He in turn follows his master, who is today the abbot of Shaolin Temple in China, Shi Yong Xin. The Mother Temple in turn follows the view of Bodhidharma, the founder of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, and of course the Buddha as the supreme authority.
In the beginning, there is the basic knowledge about the Buddhist teachings, which I try to integrate into everyday things in my texts, in order to present them in a palatable way and in morsels.
However, Buddhism is different from the monotheistic teachings familiar to Central Europeans; in Buddhism, one's own initiative is required, one must do one's own research. The matter is not finished with a gift into the offering box, no, to reach perfection effort and perpetual effort is necessary.
Logically I can be here only the signpost, the way must go all seekers themselves, comparable with a mountain guide I will show the way to the summit, but not for other people the path then go.
Sometimes every human being is a student, occasionally also a teacher. Especially the internet is teeming with teachers, with "net preachers" of all kinds, spiritual instructions with every possible focus, you can also pray to a fish head, if you only firmly believe in it.
What are the duties of a spiritual teacher in Buddhism?
He/she must teach the spiritual teachings of Buddha, explain his philosophy, point out the essence in his/her own words, point to personal awakening with an outstretched finger. I point, you go. If you don't want to then just stop, then maybe you go on another time.
The way is the goal!
Perfect is the hero, the leader, the great seer, the one who achieves victories
- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
7 Minuten
The perfect teaching
Embracing impermanence in full consciousness, we let ourselves fall "into" the Buddha's teaching, for every second of life is precious, no moment comes back, we should, according to the teacher of all teachers, simply not waste time on trivial distractions, but keep focusing on the essential. Who am I? Where do I come from? Where am I going? Questions upon questions!
How do you prepare for your death, can you use every moment, everything that exists is never mine anyway, a permanent I does not exist either, so "one" could already think about these things.
In addition, it is aggravating that "everything" is impermanent, "it" comes and goes, rises and falls, like a stream, like the water, just now a calm ocean, in the next moment a deadly tsunami, nevertheless every drop of water is connected with the next one.
Risk, uncertainty, at the moment of birth our death is also determined, destiny is written, powerfully the elements absorb the energy, pass it on, dissolve it.
The Exalted One said that the body is made of the four elements, but the mind, where does it come from? And anyway, the ego and one's personality, do they belong together, or are they separate? The personality comes from the depths of the universe, follows completely different signals, the body is only a vehicle.
The Perfect One advised us to become free of our desires, to stop being driven by desires, but to look behind the scenes, to rearrange the connections.
In doing so, get rid of the ego, because it causes so much suffering, but what will become of me if I give it up, will I still be alive, or will I die immediately? The ego, what a strange construction, always wavering between doubt and arrogance, always without direction.
Who is ready to think about it, to strain the mind palace, to give room to uncomfortable insights, to accept the answers, not to suppress them?
The perfect teaching of Buddha says that everything is based on suffering, to which we, as simple human beings, are at the mercy, because we cannot keep anything, we will lose everything, therefore we suffer. We will lose ourselves, but also everyone from our surroundings, all beings and things, nothing lasts forever, and we think about that without stopping. Why am I here, how can all this be, I don't understand. So (or so similarly) the thought scraps blow through the thinking of every human being, it occupies us heavily, the question of all questions pushes forward again and again.
The way is the goal!
As from a heap of sweepings in the street lazy airs, a lotus rises freely full of beauty, full of fragrances, so among the people of the blind, which the sins deeply surround, bright in the light of knowledge, shines the disciple of the Awakened One
- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
Embracing impermanence in full consciousness, we let ourselves fall "into" the Buddha's teaching, for every second of life is precious, no moment comes back, we should, according to the teacher of all teachers, simply not waste time on trivial distractions, but keep focusing on the essential. Who am I? Where do I come from? Where am I going? Questions upon questions!
How do you prepare for your death, can you use every moment, everything that exists is never mine anyway, a permanent I does not exist either, so "one" could already think about these things.
In addition, it is aggravating that "everything" is impermanent, "it" comes and goes, rises and falls, like a stream, like the water, just now a calm ocean, in the next moment a deadly tsunami, nevertheless every drop of water is connected with the next one.
Risk, uncertainty, at the moment of birth our death is also determined, destiny is written, powerfully the elements absorb the energy, pass it on, dissolve it.
The Exalted One said that the body is made of the four elements, but the mind, where does it come from? And anyway, the ego and one's personality, do they belong together, or are they separate? The personality comes from the depths of the universe, follows completely different signals, the body is only a vehicle.
The Perfect One advised us to become free of our desires, to stop being driven by desires, but to look behind the scenes, to rearrange the connections.
In doing so, get rid of the ego, because it causes so much suffering, but what will become of me if I give it up, will I still be alive, or will I die immediately? The ego, what a strange construction, always wavering between doubt and arrogance, always without direction.
Who is ready to think about it, to strain the mind palace, to give room to uncomfortable insights, to accept the answers, not to suppress them?
The perfect teaching of Buddha says that everything is based on suffering, to which we, as simple human beings, are at the mercy, because we cannot keep anything, we will lose everything, therefore we suffer. We will lose ourselves, but also everyone from our surroundings, all beings and things, nothing lasts forever, and we think about that without stopping. Why am I here, how can all this be, I don't understand. So (or so similarly) the thought scraps blow through the thinking of every human being, it occupies us heavily, the question of all questions pushes forward again and again.
The way is the goal!
As from a heap of sweepings in the street lazy airs, a lotus rises freely full of beauty, full of fragrances, so among the people of the blind, which the sins deeply surround, bright in the light of knowledge, shines the disciple of the Awakened One
- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
8 Minuten
Animal experiments
Do you know how many animals have to give their lives for animal experiments every year? The numbers are disgusting, an unbelievable 3 million animals suffer year after year in Germany alone.
Unbelievable sums are converted with this animal murder, each quantity of national funds blown.
In spite of broad resistance in the population, the politicians, who are often "supported" by the economy, stick to the cruel practice, although the sense of animal experiments is also doubted in science on a broad front. This has a very simple reason, a fat profit is made with this disgusting mischief. The profiteers of these machinations are particularly despicable.
The prospects are even worse than the actual state, because of a completely hare-brained EU chemical regulation (REACH) up to 60 million animals will be "consumed" in toxicity tests in the near future.
If you dive deeper into the topic here, you will lose your composure (to write the article I had to go through the details). Animals are treated like dirt in our country, locked up in small cages, killed for nothing.
We humans make life hell for animals. If I imagine that we already treat the animals we eat badly, what will happen to the animals used for animal experiments?
The "consumption" of animals for pseudo-scientific purposes is astronomical, every year 2000 monkeys alone are slaughtered for the privilege of humans. So-called "surplus animals" are not taken into account in statistics, i.e. many more animals die than indicated in the official figures. In Europe, almost 23 million animals are "consumed" in animal testing, we should all be ashamed of ourselves.
In tests for cosmetics alone, animals are subjected to the most horrible tortures, the safety of the products is supposed to be ensured this way. Things that are not allowed to be tested here (and in the EU), the companies then give to tests abroad, where the rights of the animals are even worse.
The absolute hammer, however, are "patents" on genetically modified animals, from which unscrupulous business enterprises hope for fat profits in the future, a thoroughly degenerate system, the animals as a commodity.
Here, Buddhists in particular are called upon to take a clear position, products that have been produced with animal testing, I leave them, I do not participate in animal murder.
One issue is the consumption of meat or fish, a completely different story is the murder of countless innocent creatures for the production of medicines or cosmetics.
Support non-animal research methods and manufacturers that work without animal murder, who can enter the minds of animals?
The way is the goal!
Who fully consciously cultivates immeasurable kindness, mindful of the frailty of all mortal, the earthly fetters loosen. He who with a clear mind cultivates kindness even for one living being, is by this alone a righteous man. He who neither kills nor lets kill, neither does violence nor lets do violence, he who is kind-minded towards all beings, has no enmity to fear
- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480 before the year zero
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
Do you know how many animals have to give their lives for animal experiments every year? The numbers are disgusting, an unbelievable 3 million animals suffer year after year in Germany alone.
Unbelievable sums are converted with this animal murder, each quantity of national funds blown.
In spite of broad resistance in the population, the politicians, who are often "supported" by the economy, stick to the cruel practice, although the sense of animal experiments is also doubted in science on a broad front. This has a very simple reason, a fat profit is made with this disgusting mischief. The profiteers of these machinations are particularly despicable.
The prospects are even worse than the actual state, because of a completely hare-brained EU chemical regulation (REACH) up to 60 million animals will be "consumed" in toxicity tests in the near future.
If you dive deeper into the topic here, you will lose your composure (to write the article I had to go through the details). Animals are treated like dirt in our country, locked up in small cages, killed for nothing.
We humans make life hell for animals. If I imagine that we already treat the animals we eat badly, what will happen to the animals used for animal experiments?
The "consumption" of animals for pseudo-scientific purposes is astronomical, every year 2000 monkeys alone are slaughtered for the privilege of humans. So-called "surplus animals" are not taken into account in statistics, i.e. many more animals die than indicated in the official figures. In Europe, almost 23 million animals are "consumed" in animal testing, we should all be ashamed of ourselves.
In tests for cosmetics alone, animals are subjected to the most horrible tortures, the safety of the products is supposed to be ensured this way. Things that are not allowed to be tested here (and in the EU), the companies then give to tests abroad, where the rights of the animals are even worse.
The absolute hammer, however, are "patents" on genetically modified animals, from which unscrupulous business enterprises hope for fat profits in the future, a thoroughly degenerate system, the animals as a commodity.
Here, Buddhists in particular are called upon to take a clear position, products that have been produced with animal testing, I leave them, I do not participate in animal murder.
One issue is the consumption of meat or fish, a completely different story is the murder of countless innocent creatures for the production of medicines or cosmetics.
Support non-animal research methods and manufacturers that work without animal murder, who can enter the minds of animals?
The way is the goal!
Who fully consciously cultivates immeasurable kindness, mindful of the frailty of all mortal, the earthly fetters loosen. He who with a clear mind cultivates kindness even for one living being, is by this alone a righteous man. He who neither kills nor lets kill, neither does violence nor lets do violence, he who is kind-minded towards all beings, has no enmity to fear
- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480 before the year zero
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
6 Minuten
The future
In a small town in ancient China there was a very famous temple. One of the monks was very old, but the story went that he had "psychic" powers and could "tell fortunes".
Since he was also frail, he usually stayed in his room, from where he watched the world through a small window. His days of interpreting the future had long since passed, and he only wanted to spend his old age in the monastery.
One fine day, a businessman from the capital came and very generously filled the donation box. He asked about the "fortune teller", but got the answer that he no longer took part in the temple business. The visitor therefore asked for the abbot.
When the abbot came the man said: "I come from far away to ask this monk about my future, gladly I donate a large sum, only let me to the old master". Just like all undertakings, a temple needs the means to bear the expenses incurred, so the abbot replied that he would try to make an exception possible. The abbot went to the old monk, who also agreed to help.
The businessman was led to the old monk's hermitage, where he asked the visitor to put his hands forward.
The monk looked at the palms, making the strangest noises. "Hmmmm", "Ohhhhh", he grunted to himself as he looked at the lines of the hands, the man became quite agitated.
"Master, what do you see", he finally asked, "will my future be good"?
"The future," the old man spoke, "is still unclear, but it is in your hands! You have great possibilities, however, I see that you will have to decide several times. Depending on your decisions your future will be. But note: if you have to make a decision and you do not make it, that is also a decision".
"But the great future of your life lies in the fact that you can change your life by changing your attitude"!
Then the old monk turned back to his window, and the visitor went out.
There are no signposts at the crossroads of life
- Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin - British actor - 1889 to 1977
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
In a small town in ancient China there was a very famous temple. One of the monks was very old, but the story went that he had "psychic" powers and could "tell fortunes".
Since he was also frail, he usually stayed in his room, from where he watched the world through a small window. His days of interpreting the future had long since passed, and he only wanted to spend his old age in the monastery.
One fine day, a businessman from the capital came and very generously filled the donation box. He asked about the "fortune teller", but got the answer that he no longer took part in the temple business. The visitor therefore asked for the abbot.
When the abbot came the man said: "I come from far away to ask this monk about my future, gladly I donate a large sum, only let me to the old master". Just like all undertakings, a temple needs the means to bear the expenses incurred, so the abbot replied that he would try to make an exception possible. The abbot went to the old monk, who also agreed to help.
The businessman was led to the old monk's hermitage, where he asked the visitor to put his hands forward.
The monk looked at the palms, making the strangest noises. "Hmmmm", "Ohhhhh", he grunted to himself as he looked at the lines of the hands, the man became quite agitated.
"Master, what do you see", he finally asked, "will my future be good"?
"The future," the old man spoke, "is still unclear, but it is in your hands! You have great possibilities, however, I see that you will have to decide several times. Depending on your decisions your future will be. But note: if you have to make a decision and you do not make it, that is also a decision".
"But the great future of your life lies in the fact that you can change your life by changing your attitude"!
Then the old monk turned back to his window, and the visitor went out.
There are no signposts at the crossroads of life
- Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin - British actor - 1889 to 1977
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
8 Minuten
This world is a brutal places
The world is a master of horror, but also of goodness!
The world takes its own course. A glorious day is awakening in the East.
Will we see each other again tomorrow? We do not know. You do not like it?
Never will the son be the new king, who will rule?
Open the gates, the gateless gate is invisible.
Once he is king!
What have we promised?
We are tired, what do we want to achieve?
An heir to the throne?
The queen was a servant of Satan!
What do we know?
What does it matter?
Did we sign this like this?
Are you coming with me?
Everything here is in the name of the teacher of all teachers.
Look at me, you are suffering!
Enough!
Move aside.
Do not interfere, for this world is a brutal place!
Give it the death blow, do it!
The foolish think that shame is a crown!
Please forgive, the end is near!
You are a traitor, let's go.
Who will help?
Persuasion, where is the crown? We should leave!
Who helped?
What can I do?
Have you sworn allegiance to me?
I'll go as I please!
The king is dead, long live the king!
Do not force them to use violence.
Ignite their desire.
That is not true.
Do not destroy him!
The color of flowers is not always the same!
The flowers are so common.
Burn it, it's bad!
These are troubled times.
Lift up peace, born a king, in a peaceful land, in the end a nothing.
Do we deserve this?
NO
Sorrow in the heart!
Is the child blessed?
Only through suffering we know joy!
Participation in happiness.
Your example shines.
What have you achieved? Sickness, old age and death?
Do you have an heir?
Can we do worse? Are we safe? What is security?
Questions upon questions.
Come on, we gotta go! Wherever!
What do you want?
Deny the divine commandment!
The kingdom is becoming a disgrace.
Are you affected by the guilt? Did you determine the events?
Who has taken up arms? I beg you, think it over! But it is no longer so!
Have we done enough?
Everything is possible!
Shall we do nothing at all?
I speak for myself! Only for me.
The dead greet you!
From the tomb it smells of revolution, the sisters are enemies now.
Come to me, the dead greet you, O King!
I went ahead, the others are waiting here.
Your Majesty!
This world is a brutal place!
What did you expect?
I deny!
ALL
How could it come to this?
When I see, I see. My eyes are so tired.
Fall on your knees, recognize the evil place!
As I decree it!
We are of his blood! We have nothing to fear!
Or are we?
Will God hear us?
The day would come, and it has come! Regardless of all doubts.
Condemned to death!
This world is a brutal place. But in the end there is also a beginning.
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam
"Incidentally, I am of the opinion that Carthage must be destroyed," is a saying attributed to the Roman statesman Cato the Elder (234-149 B.C.)
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
The world is a master of horror, but also of goodness!
The world takes its own course. A glorious day is awakening in the East.
Will we see each other again tomorrow? We do not know. You do not like it?
Never will the son be the new king, who will rule?
Open the gates, the gateless gate is invisible.
Once he is king!
What have we promised?
We are tired, what do we want to achieve?
An heir to the throne?
The queen was a servant of Satan!
What do we know?
What does it matter?
Did we sign this like this?
Are you coming with me?
Everything here is in the name of the teacher of all teachers.
Look at me, you are suffering!
Enough!
Move aside.
Do not interfere, for this world is a brutal place!
Give it the death blow, do it!
The foolish think that shame is a crown!
Please forgive, the end is near!
You are a traitor, let's go.
Who will help?
Persuasion, where is the crown? We should leave!
Who helped?
What can I do?
Have you sworn allegiance to me?
I'll go as I please!
The king is dead, long live the king!
Do not force them to use violence.
Ignite their desire.
That is not true.
Do not destroy him!
The color of flowers is not always the same!
The flowers are so common.
Burn it, it's bad!
These are troubled times.
Lift up peace, born a king, in a peaceful land, in the end a nothing.
Do we deserve this?
NO
Sorrow in the heart!
Is the child blessed?
Only through suffering we know joy!
Participation in happiness.
Your example shines.
What have you achieved? Sickness, old age and death?
Do you have an heir?
Can we do worse? Are we safe? What is security?
Questions upon questions.
Come on, we gotta go! Wherever!
What do you want?
Deny the divine commandment!
The kingdom is becoming a disgrace.
Are you affected by the guilt? Did you determine the events?
Who has taken up arms? I beg you, think it over! But it is no longer so!
Have we done enough?
Everything is possible!
Shall we do nothing at all?
I speak for myself! Only for me.
The dead greet you!
From the tomb it smells of revolution, the sisters are enemies now.
Come to me, the dead greet you, O King!
I went ahead, the others are waiting here.
Your Majesty!
This world is a brutal place!
What did you expect?
I deny!
ALL
How could it come to this?
When I see, I see. My eyes are so tired.
Fall on your knees, recognize the evil place!
As I decree it!
We are of his blood! We have nothing to fear!
Or are we?
Will God hear us?
The day would come, and it has come! Regardless of all doubts.
Condemned to death!
This world is a brutal place. But in the end there is also a beginning.
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam
"Incidentally, I am of the opinion that Carthage must be destroyed," is a saying attributed to the Roman statesman Cato the Elder (234-149 B.C.)
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
7 Minuten
Beginning
It was a long way to this bench, which was placed under the trees in front of the buildings for the visitors of Shaolin Monastery. Just opposite the monumental entrance area, with a direct view to the temple door, an impressive view. This is where I wanted to go, now I was sitting right in front of it, the world famous martial arts monastery, the center of so many kung fu movies with flying monks, incredible technique and almost superhuman performance, free from pain, the Buddhist martial artists thus within reach.
Now, at the destination of my journey, the courage left me, the doubts returned, unmistakably my annoying ego announced itself, criticized my entire decision. Rainer, what are you doing here, how stupid are you, how did you get this completely stupid idea, you in the Shaolin temple, martial arts from the monks you want to learn, they tear me apart in the air, against such fighting machines you have no chance. So, or so similarly, my ego turned its capers, searched further for reasons, why I should better leave again. I pulled my head in further and further.
Around me, an infinite number of tourists, most of them Chinese, gathered under colored flags, huge groups of travelers, always following a guide, each blaring into a megaphone, incomprehensible sounds, unfamiliar smells, I suddenly wanted to cry, I was suddenly really scared. Probably also of my own courage. How did I get here, what was I doing there?
But if I am already once there, then I could look at least the monastery once, before I would drive in any case with pulled in tail then again home. The laborious journey would not have been worthwhile otherwise in the remotest, and a few pictures could make yes also, as said, if I am already once there, the moment of the disgrace then at least savor, so that I can always remember the disgrace.
With leaden limbs I got up and dragged myself to the entrance, where the crowds were, cultural tourists armed with tickets and umbrellas, the Shaolin Temple was and is an attraction even among the Chinese themselves, attracting millions of onlookers every year. I stood in line to purchase a ticket. As I stood there so quietly, this immense awe gripped me again, the Shaolin Temple China, located in the sacred mountain Song Shan, the cradle of Kung Fu.
This is where I wanted to go, now I was standing at the door, my pants full, my courage chilled, Rainer, how did you come up with this idea?
Today I know: This way was my karma!
To travel well is better than to arrive
- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
It was a long way to this bench, which was placed under the trees in front of the buildings for the visitors of Shaolin Monastery. Just opposite the monumental entrance area, with a direct view to the temple door, an impressive view. This is where I wanted to go, now I was sitting right in front of it, the world famous martial arts monastery, the center of so many kung fu movies with flying monks, incredible technique and almost superhuman performance, free from pain, the Buddhist martial artists thus within reach.
Now, at the destination of my journey, the courage left me, the doubts returned, unmistakably my annoying ego announced itself, criticized my entire decision. Rainer, what are you doing here, how stupid are you, how did you get this completely stupid idea, you in the Shaolin temple, martial arts from the monks you want to learn, they tear me apart in the air, against such fighting machines you have no chance. So, or so similarly, my ego turned its capers, searched further for reasons, why I should better leave again. I pulled my head in further and further.
Around me, an infinite number of tourists, most of them Chinese, gathered under colored flags, huge groups of travelers, always following a guide, each blaring into a megaphone, incomprehensible sounds, unfamiliar smells, I suddenly wanted to cry, I was suddenly really scared. Probably also of my own courage. How did I get here, what was I doing there?
But if I am already once there, then I could look at least the monastery once, before I would drive in any case with pulled in tail then again home. The laborious journey would not have been worthwhile otherwise in the remotest, and a few pictures could make yes also, as said, if I am already once there, the moment of the disgrace then at least savor, so that I can always remember the disgrace.
With leaden limbs I got up and dragged myself to the entrance, where the crowds were, cultural tourists armed with tickets and umbrellas, the Shaolin Temple was and is an attraction even among the Chinese themselves, attracting millions of onlookers every year. I stood in line to purchase a ticket. As I stood there so quietly, this immense awe gripped me again, the Shaolin Temple China, located in the sacred mountain Song Shan, the cradle of Kung Fu.
This is where I wanted to go, now I was standing at the door, my pants full, my courage chilled, Rainer, how did you come up with this idea?
Today I know: This way was my karma!
To travel well is better than to arrive
- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
7 Minuten
The inner critic
Many people call the voice in their head a critic who makes their life difficult. For Buddhists, however, it is clear that this critic is the ego, which constantly nags at us.
All day long the ego nags away, it stirs up worries and fears, it criticizes us. In the Buddhist view, the ego is not a critic, but a cause of our sufferings.
It is important (not only for Buddhists, by the way) to silence the ego. Are you always comparing yourself with other people? Do you nag, do you find fault with everything?
Do you end up even suffering from the nag that causes a slaughter or two in your mind palace? Really every person loses an incredible amount of energy to this "critic", did I do this right, am I pretty enough, will I still have my livelihood tomorrow, can I do this, do I know this?
We are sometimes very hard on ourselves, the "inner critic" can be unfair. Do the challenges of life seem huge to you, is every day a struggle?
What if you made peace with yourself? Would anything change? Would it be noticed (except by those closest to you)?
I claim: NO
If you gain power over yourself, you can live in a much more relaxed way, you are no longer in the tension of emotions. For my part, I no longer care about this "inner critic", have turned off the perpetual dialogue with the ego, no longer let myself be thrown off track by self-doubt.
The voice in my head, what is that exactly? Is it an "inner critic", or my ego?
According to the teacher of all teachers, it is the ego that can create a lot of suffering in us. Evolution has given us thinking to evaluate the necessities of existence, to make plans.
However, without limitations, this thinking easily overshoots itself, starts to see dangers that do not exist. Then questions arise that are completely useless, simply because thinking is set up that way, always wanting to be busy.
This is where the teaching of Buddha comes in, who considered this kind of thinking to be unhelpful, since such emotions are based on impermanence, are not directed towards lasting things, and cannot be.
Those who constantly criticize themselves feel bad, inadequate, insufficient. Whoever starts to take the inner critic not so seriously anymore, can finally let go. The endless stories that the mind palace invents will for the most part never come true.
The way is the goal!
The forest is a special being, of unlimited goodness and affection, which makes no demands and generously passes on the products of its life's work; it offers protection to all creatures and provides shade even to the woodcutter who destroys it.
- Buddha - "The Enlightened One" - honorific name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480 B.c.
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
Many people call the voice in their head a critic who makes their life difficult. For Buddhists, however, it is clear that this critic is the ego, which constantly nags at us.
All day long the ego nags away, it stirs up worries and fears, it criticizes us. In the Buddhist view, the ego is not a critic, but a cause of our sufferings.
It is important (not only for Buddhists, by the way) to silence the ego. Are you always comparing yourself with other people? Do you nag, do you find fault with everything?
Do you end up even suffering from the nag that causes a slaughter or two in your mind palace? Really every person loses an incredible amount of energy to this "critic", did I do this right, am I pretty enough, will I still have my livelihood tomorrow, can I do this, do I know this?
We are sometimes very hard on ourselves, the "inner critic" can be unfair. Do the challenges of life seem huge to you, is every day a struggle?
What if you made peace with yourself? Would anything change? Would it be noticed (except by those closest to you)?
I claim: NO
If you gain power over yourself, you can live in a much more relaxed way, you are no longer in the tension of emotions. For my part, I no longer care about this "inner critic", have turned off the perpetual dialogue with the ego, no longer let myself be thrown off track by self-doubt.
The voice in my head, what is that exactly? Is it an "inner critic", or my ego?
According to the teacher of all teachers, it is the ego that can create a lot of suffering in us. Evolution has given us thinking to evaluate the necessities of existence, to make plans.
However, without limitations, this thinking easily overshoots itself, starts to see dangers that do not exist. Then questions arise that are completely useless, simply because thinking is set up that way, always wanting to be busy.
This is where the teaching of Buddha comes in, who considered this kind of thinking to be unhelpful, since such emotions are based on impermanence, are not directed towards lasting things, and cannot be.
Those who constantly criticize themselves feel bad, inadequate, insufficient. Whoever starts to take the inner critic not so seriously anymore, can finally let go. The endless stories that the mind palace invents will for the most part never come true.
The way is the goal!
The forest is a special being, of unlimited goodness and affection, which makes no demands and generously passes on the products of its life's work; it offers protection to all creatures and provides shade even to the woodcutter who destroys it.
- Buddha - "The Enlightened One" - honorific name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480 B.c.
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
7 Minuten
The universe and us
Our spiritual expectations are great, we like to talk about the universe, we occasionally see ourselves as part of it, but we are immensely afraid of the infinite vastness, of the areas that no human being has ever entered, at least that's what we think.
The pure being is already a mystery, we, our ego, the personality that represents us, the ego, nothing of it we understand even in the beginning, the universe not even in fragments.
But with the Buddhist teaching we can leave behind the human dimension, become one with the great emptiness, whoever recognizes his true Buddha nature can have a deep experience with being, live through all the dimensions of life in all its diversity, leave behind the relative life, turn towards the light that seems dark.
If we want to be unified beings, then we should find our way to the Buddha's path, explore the depth of existences, experience true meaning. But those who prefer to run after material things will probably miss the fork in the road, will not give the necessary meaning to the little things.
Because nothing really makes sense, who adheres to the philosophy of Buddha knows about the singularity, who has escaped the chaos, has left suffering behind. We humans do not have to suffer, if we want to, we simply stop doing so.
But the one who shies away from deep experience will not come to the right place, will not make the appropriate perception, because he/she only wants to satisfy the senses, goes after the transient cravings, is too busy to even begin to comprehend the truth of his/her own existence.
Too much the underlying clarity then makes fear, the fears are omnipresent, then nevertheless still fast with alcohol or drugs "the distance" look for, anesthetize themselves, only not think about everything.
But when life feels right, then the dominoes fall as if by themselves, the incarnation and the cosmos become one, the enlightened state can hardly be described now. In harmony with the environment, with being, with the personality, a tremendous feeling of happiness, which leaves everything material far behind, cannot be compared with the short intoxication.
The meaning of life, which everyone talks about, was clearly named by the teacher of all teachers many centuries ago in his philosophy, over the times many people listened to his explanations, followed him on the way to personal "enlightenment", no longer wanted to suffer, to leave human destiny behind.
Life receives meaning through knowledge, the way there is the goal!
Rarely only a great one appears and does not appear all the time
- Buddha - "The Enlightened One" - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
Our spiritual expectations are great, we like to talk about the universe, we occasionally see ourselves as part of it, but we are immensely afraid of the infinite vastness, of the areas that no human being has ever entered, at least that's what we think.
The pure being is already a mystery, we, our ego, the personality that represents us, the ego, nothing of it we understand even in the beginning, the universe not even in fragments.
But with the Buddhist teaching we can leave behind the human dimension, become one with the great emptiness, whoever recognizes his true Buddha nature can have a deep experience with being, live through all the dimensions of life in all its diversity, leave behind the relative life, turn towards the light that seems dark.
If we want to be unified beings, then we should find our way to the Buddha's path, explore the depth of existences, experience true meaning. But those who prefer to run after material things will probably miss the fork in the road, will not give the necessary meaning to the little things.
Because nothing really makes sense, who adheres to the philosophy of Buddha knows about the singularity, who has escaped the chaos, has left suffering behind. We humans do not have to suffer, if we want to, we simply stop doing so.
But the one who shies away from deep experience will not come to the right place, will not make the appropriate perception, because he/she only wants to satisfy the senses, goes after the transient cravings, is too busy to even begin to comprehend the truth of his/her own existence.
Too much the underlying clarity then makes fear, the fears are omnipresent, then nevertheless still fast with alcohol or drugs "the distance" look for, anesthetize themselves, only not think about everything.
But when life feels right, then the dominoes fall as if by themselves, the incarnation and the cosmos become one, the enlightened state can hardly be described now. In harmony with the environment, with being, with the personality, a tremendous feeling of happiness, which leaves everything material far behind, cannot be compared with the short intoxication.
The meaning of life, which everyone talks about, was clearly named by the teacher of all teachers many centuries ago in his philosophy, over the times many people listened to his explanations, followed him on the way to personal "enlightenment", no longer wanted to suffer, to leave human destiny behind.
Life receives meaning through knowledge, the way there is the goal!
Rarely only a great one appears and does not appear all the time
- Buddha - "The Enlightened One" - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
7 Minuten
Self-sabotage
Who doesn't know it, the stupid feeling when you stand in your own way. Sometimes this even happens intentionally, self-sabotage happens more often than we think, just when thoughts make your life harder.
For example, when we say YES but think NO, we do everything possible to sabotage the YES, even at the risk of harming ourselves.
Such behavior is harmful, and not really appropriate for the Buddha's followers, since the great teacher taught us to look behind the scenes.
But whoever thinks about such behavior comes to the conclusion that he should better say NO right away, that is, he should not tell a lie, because the result is already clear, the thinking individual must be aware of it as a consequence.
To stand in our own way is normal, not all our decisions can be right, but the conscious self-sabotage, that is a completely different kind of quality in our emotional actions. Emotions pull us in different directions, it is not always easy to recognize the right way.
And the truth also requires a good portion of courage, which is why we often say YES, but mean NO. When was the last time you dared to tell an annoying person what you think, not to let them get away with their nonsense? We don't want to say unpleasant things!
But if you have the courage to talk about annoying problems, you will probably belong to the group of more successful people, because in order to assert yourself, you have to get to the point.
What do I want, what do I need? These are the kind of questions that awakened people no longer ask themselves, but on the way to "enlightenment" you will find the normal stumbling blocks of interpersonal relationships.
Especially the "feel-good Buddhists" don't want to hurt their environment, just make things worse (in the long run) with technology. For my part, I always address the things that bother me right away, I don't leave anything in the room simply out of convenience, not because I want to assert myself, but because I want to be such a role model for my environment, honest but uncomfortable, not ducking away, but also professing the philosophy of the great teacher.
Many people suffer unnecessarily because they do not have the strength to do the right thing at the right moment. Here I would like to refer to the noble eightfold path of the Buddha, which begins with: Right cognition, right mind, then right speech and right action.
The way is also here the goal!
Wise men know: Desire does not satisfy even golden rain
- Buddha - "The Enlightened One" - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
Who doesn't know it, the stupid feeling when you stand in your own way. Sometimes this even happens intentionally, self-sabotage happens more often than we think, just when thoughts make your life harder.
For example, when we say YES but think NO, we do everything possible to sabotage the YES, even at the risk of harming ourselves.
Such behavior is harmful, and not really appropriate for the Buddha's followers, since the great teacher taught us to look behind the scenes.
But whoever thinks about such behavior comes to the conclusion that he should better say NO right away, that is, he should not tell a lie, because the result is already clear, the thinking individual must be aware of it as a consequence.
To stand in our own way is normal, not all our decisions can be right, but the conscious self-sabotage, that is a completely different kind of quality in our emotional actions. Emotions pull us in different directions, it is not always easy to recognize the right way.
And the truth also requires a good portion of courage, which is why we often say YES, but mean NO. When was the last time you dared to tell an annoying person what you think, not to let them get away with their nonsense? We don't want to say unpleasant things!
But if you have the courage to talk about annoying problems, you will probably belong to the group of more successful people, because in order to assert yourself, you have to get to the point.
What do I want, what do I need? These are the kind of questions that awakened people no longer ask themselves, but on the way to "enlightenment" you will find the normal stumbling blocks of interpersonal relationships.
Especially the "feel-good Buddhists" don't want to hurt their environment, just make things worse (in the long run) with technology. For my part, I always address the things that bother me right away, I don't leave anything in the room simply out of convenience, not because I want to assert myself, but because I want to be such a role model for my environment, honest but uncomfortable, not ducking away, but also professing the philosophy of the great teacher.
Many people suffer unnecessarily because they do not have the strength to do the right thing at the right moment. Here I would like to refer to the noble eightfold path of the Buddha, which begins with: Right cognition, right mind, then right speech and right action.
The way is also here the goal!
Wise men know: Desire does not satisfy even golden rain
- Buddha - "The Enlightened One" - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
7 Minuten
Gifts to my self part 4
Have you already read the first parts of my series "Gifts to my ego" click. Read on here:
14. friendships
If you really want to give yourself a gift, you should cherish your friendships, take care of your friends, their concerns, their lives. But you should also build up a friendship with your own self, look at yourself in the mirror with goodwill, consciously pay attention to your voice, take yourself "in your arms", do everything possible to reduce all possible aversions against yourself in any case, if possible build up friendship and even self-love. Only those who are at peace with themselves can set out on the path to enlightenment, emulate the Buddha, follow. Treat yourself at least as well as you treat your best friend, give yourself the gift.
15. happiness
Probably the most important gift that you can give yourself, that is happiness, because you are on a good path, on the pathless path, towards the goalless gate, where a landless land awaits all those who have awakened in time, who have not allowed themselves to be blinded, who have renounced suffering because they have made the decision to do so. Happiness is a spiritual emotion that cannot be bought, cannot be given away, cannot be inherited, cannot be earned. Those who have learned to truly let go are already very close to awakening, they will experience all-encompassing happiness. Because happiness is due to us humans, it is a prerogative of those who do not want or desire more, who have come to terms with fate, because they can't change anything about it anyway. Take from the everyday things of life your happiest moments, enjoy the flowers by the wayside, the little hugs, the warmth of the air, the coolness of the breeze, the taste of the food, trivial things that you often just take for granted.
16. a pure mind
Your mind should be like a beautiful garden, pure and pleasing, always tended, full of flowers, trees and shrubs, in the center a small temple with an enchanting statue of the Teacher of all Teachers, mindful people meeting in the temple complex imaginatively built in your mind palace.
Thoughts here are the seeds that plan, nurture and cherish the complex, bad thoughts make the complex decay, good ones improve the ensemble, depending on the mindset, a work of art or a cellar hole is created.
Take care of the purity of your mind, of the garden, of the buildings, build a temple in your thought palace, give yourself peace.
The path is the goal!
Those who live on right food, who are not bound to any property, who find their noble home in the incomprehensible emptiness, whose way is hard to fathom like a bird's path in the air.
- Buddha - "The Enlightened One" - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
Have you already read the first parts of my series "Gifts to my ego" click. Read on here:
14. friendships
If you really want to give yourself a gift, you should cherish your friendships, take care of your friends, their concerns, their lives. But you should also build up a friendship with your own self, look at yourself in the mirror with goodwill, consciously pay attention to your voice, take yourself "in your arms", do everything possible to reduce all possible aversions against yourself in any case, if possible build up friendship and even self-love. Only those who are at peace with themselves can set out on the path to enlightenment, emulate the Buddha, follow. Treat yourself at least as well as you treat your best friend, give yourself the gift.
15. happiness
Probably the most important gift that you can give yourself, that is happiness, because you are on a good path, on the pathless path, towards the goalless gate, where a landless land awaits all those who have awakened in time, who have not allowed themselves to be blinded, who have renounced suffering because they have made the decision to do so. Happiness is a spiritual emotion that cannot be bought, cannot be given away, cannot be inherited, cannot be earned. Those who have learned to truly let go are already very close to awakening, they will experience all-encompassing happiness. Because happiness is due to us humans, it is a prerogative of those who do not want or desire more, who have come to terms with fate, because they can't change anything about it anyway. Take from the everyday things of life your happiest moments, enjoy the flowers by the wayside, the little hugs, the warmth of the air, the coolness of the breeze, the taste of the food, trivial things that you often just take for granted.
16. a pure mind
Your mind should be like a beautiful garden, pure and pleasing, always tended, full of flowers, trees and shrubs, in the center a small temple with an enchanting statue of the Teacher of all Teachers, mindful people meeting in the temple complex imaginatively built in your mind palace.
Thoughts here are the seeds that plan, nurture and cherish the complex, bad thoughts make the complex decay, good ones improve the ensemble, depending on the mindset, a work of art or a cellar hole is created.
Take care of the purity of your mind, of the garden, of the buildings, build a temple in your thought palace, give yourself peace.
The path is the goal!
Those who live on right food, who are not bound to any property, who find their noble home in the incomprehensible emptiness, whose way is hard to fathom like a bird's path in the air.
- Buddha - "The Enlightened One" - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
7 Minuten
Gifts to my self part 3
Have you already read the first parts of my series "Gifts to my ego" click. Click here to continue:
10. meditation
A special gift to my own self is meditation, which I practice daily. Here breathing, mindfulness, health, peace, happiness and extreme well-being unite to a spiritual unity. Every day is then a good day, because with such a gift it is possible to be pleasant, the I is cared for, the body is strengthened, the soul is calmed. Buddha in his calm meditation pose has become a symbol of Buddhist teachings for many people, his figures are in almost every house, we see from his example that for a happy life we only need our resolution "to be happy", nothing more.
11. recognize yourself in your totality
Only the one who knows himself is really wise, the one who learns to recognize himself in all facets with the teachings of Buddha, gets power over the ego, which makes man a suffering being in the first place, which should urgently be put in its place. What makes you as a person, what are your most important qualities? Can you determine what makes you special as a person, sets you apart from others around you? Can you write down 5 points that best represent you as a whole?
12. diary
Your life is special and particular, which is why it is worth recording the important steps. I keep a kind of calendar where I note all the events that are important to me. And believe me, every day is different, in the today, here and now, that's where the music plays. What did you experience, what did you eat, who did you meet, what were you happy about, what were you not happy about, did you meditate, or do sports, what was going through your mind? This is not about writing an essay, or a large amount, no, keywords are enough (at the beginning), your life is worth it.
13. focus as a filter
What is your goal, what is in your focus? We need to keep asking ourselves where we are turning our head, where the focus is, on what, and also why. Getting the focus right will bring you incredible power and energy, be a wonderful gift to your own self. Those who set the focus correctly (and honestly) will no longer waste their energy senselessly, seek and find fewer distractions, focus on goals, realize dreams.
According to the great teacher, none of this really matters, but for the group of "feel-good Buddhists" it does.
The path is always the goal!
Continue reading in the next few days on the topic of "Gifts to my self".
If a seeker has ten qualities, he is worthy of the gifts
- Buddha - "The Enlightened One" - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
Have you already read the first parts of my series "Gifts to my ego" click. Click here to continue:
10. meditation
A special gift to my own self is meditation, which I practice daily. Here breathing, mindfulness, health, peace, happiness and extreme well-being unite to a spiritual unity. Every day is then a good day, because with such a gift it is possible to be pleasant, the I is cared for, the body is strengthened, the soul is calmed. Buddha in his calm meditation pose has become a symbol of Buddhist teachings for many people, his figures are in almost every house, we see from his example that for a happy life we only need our resolution "to be happy", nothing more.
11. recognize yourself in your totality
Only the one who knows himself is really wise, the one who learns to recognize himself in all facets with the teachings of Buddha, gets power over the ego, which makes man a suffering being in the first place, which should urgently be put in its place. What makes you as a person, what are your most important qualities? Can you determine what makes you special as a person, sets you apart from others around you? Can you write down 5 points that best represent you as a whole?
12. diary
Your life is special and particular, which is why it is worth recording the important steps. I keep a kind of calendar where I note all the events that are important to me. And believe me, every day is different, in the today, here and now, that's where the music plays. What did you experience, what did you eat, who did you meet, what were you happy about, what were you not happy about, did you meditate, or do sports, what was going through your mind? This is not about writing an essay, or a large amount, no, keywords are enough (at the beginning), your life is worth it.
13. focus as a filter
What is your goal, what is in your focus? We need to keep asking ourselves where we are turning our head, where the focus is, on what, and also why. Getting the focus right will bring you incredible power and energy, be a wonderful gift to your own self. Those who set the focus correctly (and honestly) will no longer waste their energy senselessly, seek and find fewer distractions, focus on goals, realize dreams.
According to the great teacher, none of this really matters, but for the group of "feel-good Buddhists" it does.
The path is always the goal!
Continue reading in the next few days on the topic of "Gifts to my self".
If a seeker has ten qualities, he is worthy of the gifts
- Buddha - "The Enlightened One" - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
6 Minuten
Do not take anything „personally“
How to stop taking things so personally - and
- and live a better life that way!
Why is this happening to me? I'm just unlucky! Everything is conspiring against me! I'm such a poor sheep!
Is that so?
NO
That's exactly not how it is, no human being is just unlucky (or lucky), there are also no conspiracies against us, who or what should be conspiring, please, and why should it even be the case?
Although we as Buddhists "know" that everything is already written, it can help if we "do not take everything so personally", but calmly and calmly accept fate.
To "know" something does not necessarily mean to act correctly, there is still a lot of "room for improvement" in every human being.
To take everything "personally", for this there are all kinds of causes for some fellow men. The gods have conspired, a weak self-confidence, strong emotions, the environment, health, we are quick with excuses at hand.
However, it is important to understand that the origin of "taking it personally" is within ourselves, not coming from the outside. It is just a feeling that makes us take everything personally.
Because negative things also happen to other people in life. But not everyone relates the occurrence of negative circumstances to themselves right away.
The question is, how we deal with these incidents, process them further. Whether we take them "personally". It is exclusively our own decision whether we take something "personally" or not!
"Nobody can hurt me without my permission", said the great Mahatma Gandhi.
There is no conspiracy of the gods, only we ourselves conspire against ourselves, if we take something personally, it is our own fault.
Everything that happens to us in life, according to Buddha, only represents our destiny.
Everything comes as it must, so why take anything "personally"?
Instead of worrying about a conspiracy against yourself, you can look into the concept of "enlightenment", what is "awakening", what did Buddha mean when he said "life is only a dream"?
PERSONALLY I AM ALWAYS WILLING TO LEARN, ALTHOUGH I DON'T ALWAYS WANT TO BE TAUGHT
- WINSTON CHURCHILL - BRITISH STATESMAN - 1874 TO 1965
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
How to stop taking things so personally - and
- and live a better life that way!
Why is this happening to me? I'm just unlucky! Everything is conspiring against me! I'm such a poor sheep!
Is that so?
NO
That's exactly not how it is, no human being is just unlucky (or lucky), there are also no conspiracies against us, who or what should be conspiring, please, and why should it even be the case?
Although we as Buddhists "know" that everything is already written, it can help if we "do not take everything so personally", but calmly and calmly accept fate.
To "know" something does not necessarily mean to act correctly, there is still a lot of "room for improvement" in every human being.
To take everything "personally", for this there are all kinds of causes for some fellow men. The gods have conspired, a weak self-confidence, strong emotions, the environment, health, we are quick with excuses at hand.
However, it is important to understand that the origin of "taking it personally" is within ourselves, not coming from the outside. It is just a feeling that makes us take everything personally.
Because negative things also happen to other people in life. But not everyone relates the occurrence of negative circumstances to themselves right away.
The question is, how we deal with these incidents, process them further. Whether we take them "personally". It is exclusively our own decision whether we take something "personally" or not!
"Nobody can hurt me without my permission", said the great Mahatma Gandhi.
There is no conspiracy of the gods, only we ourselves conspire against ourselves, if we take something personally, it is our own fault.
Everything that happens to us in life, according to Buddha, only represents our destiny.
Everything comes as it must, so why take anything "personally"?
Instead of worrying about a conspiracy against yourself, you can look into the concept of "enlightenment", what is "awakening", what did Buddha mean when he said "life is only a dream"?
PERSONALLY I AM ALWAYS WILLING TO LEARN, ALTHOUGH I DON'T ALWAYS WANT TO BE TAUGHT
- WINSTON CHURCHILL - BRITISH STATESMAN - 1874 TO 1965
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
7 Minuten
Birds
A pair of blackbirds has been breeding on my balcony, yesterday the little ones hatched. Five mini birds in my flowerpot, beaks constantly open, some dried grass as a base, mom almost always sits on it, keeps her children warm, dad is looking for worms in the garden, brings almost endless supply.
At first we (my girlfriend and I) thought that birds had been looking for food in the flowerpot, perhaps scattering the soil on the balcony, making a mess. At first we almost overlooked the nest, then we did not notice anything as such, until we noticed the constant coming and going on the terrace, then we looked more closely. A bird's nest, first with one egg, the next day there were then two, always a new egg per day, until there were then five pieces. The mother is constantly brooding, not two meters away from my desk chair, the birds seemed to have no fear of us. Strangely, they trust us completely, I whistle, they respond, quickly we have become the foster parents for their offspring.
We put water, bought bird food, we give them rice and bread, we watch the pair of birds intensively.
Now the interest awoke, we researched on the Internet, little was found about a friendship between people and blackbirds, but it has become a togetherness, similar to a pet there is a kind of common understanding.
Watching how the animals touchingly care for their children, how the couple also works together and sticks together, it's magical, much like a married couple also raising their children.
The pair of birds made us think more deeply about the different living beings, and how much obviously also animals have emotions and feelings, the interaction of the pair of birds speaks for itself. And if even small birds have such emotions, then larger animals even more so.
And we humans think to have the right to rule over all other living beings, to make them usable for us, which is why we also speak of farm animals, which we can use, kill and eat, throw away or torture, just as we like.
Now if we were the poor pigs in the enclosure, had found a partner in "captivity" (another poor pig), and then another living being (a human being) comes and takes our (beloved) partner to slaughter and eat him, how would our feelings be there? And that animals have such emotions is clear (at least for us) by the example of the bird pair, only one makes even otherwise no thoughts about the animals, apart from the so much "loved" pets once.
We now eat almost exclusively vegetables.
Looking at the birds is (as I said) magical, the journey is the destination!
Who sees appearance as appearance and the being as being, penetrates up to the core of the truth, has read the right track
- Buddha - "The Enlightened One
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
A pair of blackbirds has been breeding on my balcony, yesterday the little ones hatched. Five mini birds in my flowerpot, beaks constantly open, some dried grass as a base, mom almost always sits on it, keeps her children warm, dad is looking for worms in the garden, brings almost endless supply.
At first we (my girlfriend and I) thought that birds had been looking for food in the flowerpot, perhaps scattering the soil on the balcony, making a mess. At first we almost overlooked the nest, then we did not notice anything as such, until we noticed the constant coming and going on the terrace, then we looked more closely. A bird's nest, first with one egg, the next day there were then two, always a new egg per day, until there were then five pieces. The mother is constantly brooding, not two meters away from my desk chair, the birds seemed to have no fear of us. Strangely, they trust us completely, I whistle, they respond, quickly we have become the foster parents for their offspring.
We put water, bought bird food, we give them rice and bread, we watch the pair of birds intensively.
Now the interest awoke, we researched on the Internet, little was found about a friendship between people and blackbirds, but it has become a togetherness, similar to a pet there is a kind of common understanding.
Watching how the animals touchingly care for their children, how the couple also works together and sticks together, it's magical, much like a married couple also raising their children.
The pair of birds made us think more deeply about the different living beings, and how much obviously also animals have emotions and feelings, the interaction of the pair of birds speaks for itself. And if even small birds have such emotions, then larger animals even more so.
And we humans think to have the right to rule over all other living beings, to make them usable for us, which is why we also speak of farm animals, which we can use, kill and eat, throw away or torture, just as we like.
Now if we were the poor pigs in the enclosure, had found a partner in "captivity" (another poor pig), and then another living being (a human being) comes and takes our (beloved) partner to slaughter and eat him, how would our feelings be there? And that animals have such emotions is clear (at least for us) by the example of the bird pair, only one makes even otherwise no thoughts about the animals, apart from the so much "loved" pets once.
We now eat almost exclusively vegetables.
Looking at the birds is (as I said) magical, the journey is the destination!
Who sees appearance as appearance and the being as being, penetrates up to the core of the truth, has read the right track
- Buddha - "The Enlightened One
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
