Buddhism in daily life - Mindfulness in every day tasks Archiv
364 Episoden
7 Minuten
Buddha explains meditation
The Buddhist story goes that the Buddha's son, Rahula, asked his father questions about the technique of meditation. The young man was particularly interested in the breathing technique practiced by his father.
Buddha gave him to understand that also with the breath the transitoriness of all being is in the foreground of his conception. Therefore, according to the teacher of all teachers, Rahula should develop a "serene" approach, seeing himself as another kind of "space" in which energy flows freely.
The breathing exercises themselves should focus on the "presentness" of each breath, calming the mind and body, and feeling joy from the calmness.
From the joy further develops an inner collection, a liberation of the heart, which will inevitably arise with each inhalation and exhalation.
From the above mentioned transitoriness it follows that every in-breath and every out-breath will be for "letting go", for allowing the breath, but also for eliminating one's ego.
Also, he should dedicate the meditation to goodness, mercy, joy for others and overcoming desire, so as to overcome evil, cruelty, ill-will, ego-centeredness and attachment to people and things.
After the elements "earth", "water", "wind" and "fire", the wise father advised the son to subordinate his efforts to the elements, to become serene in meditation like the "elements".
Everything about your body belongs to the earth element, but everything that is "solid" about you is not you, is not yours, is not your "self". Also what consists of water in you, that is not you, it is not yours, not your "self". The element of fire that consumes you from within is also not you, is not yours, is not your "self". And the winds that run through your body are also not you, are not yours, are not your "self".
Follow this advice, and no unpleasant or pleasant events will enter your heart.
At the same time, think, ponder, or "seek the center", all such reflections should be completed at the beginning of the meditation, the arising serenity simply pushes all arising thoughts aside.
Then trace the breaths as they flow through your nose or mouth into your body, widening it, and then find their way out of your body again.
Give your body the attention it demands, be mindful in meditation, but also practice with power and strength.
Impermanence is formative for all beings, embrace it and your thoughts will become still.
A thought cannot awaken without awakening others
- Marie Freifrau Ebner von Eschenbach - Austrian storyteller - 1830 to 1916
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
The Buddhist story goes that the Buddha's son, Rahula, asked his father questions about the technique of meditation. The young man was particularly interested in the breathing technique practiced by his father.
Buddha gave him to understand that also with the breath the transitoriness of all being is in the foreground of his conception. Therefore, according to the teacher of all teachers, Rahula should develop a "serene" approach, seeing himself as another kind of "space" in which energy flows freely.
The breathing exercises themselves should focus on the "presentness" of each breath, calming the mind and body, and feeling joy from the calmness.
From the joy further develops an inner collection, a liberation of the heart, which will inevitably arise with each inhalation and exhalation.
From the above mentioned transitoriness it follows that every in-breath and every out-breath will be for "letting go", for allowing the breath, but also for eliminating one's ego.
Also, he should dedicate the meditation to goodness, mercy, joy for others and overcoming desire, so as to overcome evil, cruelty, ill-will, ego-centeredness and attachment to people and things.
After the elements "earth", "water", "wind" and "fire", the wise father advised the son to subordinate his efforts to the elements, to become serene in meditation like the "elements".
Everything about your body belongs to the earth element, but everything that is "solid" about you is not you, is not yours, is not your "self". Also what consists of water in you, that is not you, it is not yours, not your "self". The element of fire that consumes you from within is also not you, is not yours, is not your "self". And the winds that run through your body are also not you, are not yours, are not your "self".
Follow this advice, and no unpleasant or pleasant events will enter your heart.
At the same time, think, ponder, or "seek the center", all such reflections should be completed at the beginning of the meditation, the arising serenity simply pushes all arising thoughts aside.
Then trace the breaths as they flow through your nose or mouth into your body, widening it, and then find their way out of your body again.
Give your body the attention it demands, be mindful in meditation, but also practice with power and strength.
Impermanence is formative for all beings, embrace it and your thoughts will become still.
A thought cannot awaken without awakening others
- Marie Freifrau Ebner von Eschenbach - Austrian storyteller - 1830 to 1916
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
8 Minuten
Mental suffering
Mental sufferings are becoming more and more widespread, they have many faces and effects, in every age group people are struggling with mental illnesses of all kinds. Depression, disorders, anxiety, gloomy thoughts and sadness fall like shadows on souls, the future becomes more and more a problem.
Teenagers develop eating disorders, adults live in aggression, crises and burdens alternate with problems and quarrels, normal life is history, just now the omens are chaos and storm. Then the psyche falls ill much faster than usual, fears and stress restrict the way of life more and more, a sick psyche brings new fears, the cat bites its own tail.
An estimated 100 million people in Europe alone suffer from depression, 150 million from various anxiety disorders. According to Buddha, life consists of suffering, at least as long as one has not left the perpetual sequence of suffering, has not yet experienced "enlightenment".
Especially among young people the numbers are frightening, every fifth child (or adolescent under the age of twenty) is affected by psychological problems, behavioral problems of all kinds are on the rise, psychological burdens develop into diseases.
Clearly, people are mostly without orientation, the old structures are dissolving, the religious teachings that used to dominate everything in this cultural area are losing more and more members, new organizations have their difficulties, the family has lost its significance, the feeling of belonging together is lost in the urban canyons of the modern ghettos.
In addition, many of those affected remain silent about their condition out of shame, also no longer see a way out, no longer see the forest for the trees. I, for my part, take the natural remedy "St. John's wort" on days when I have the blues (even with Buddhists, not every day is the same, not everything is always vain bliss and sunshine), if only to give a sign to my "I".
Who is once stuck in the spiral of silence of a mental illness, who rarely finds out, the isolation worsens the conditions, the treatment is delayed, more and more often suicide is then a topic, the thoughts circle around more and more gloomy scenarios.
A not negligible part of the bad moods are the catastrophic living conditions, alcohol, drugs, nicotine and bad nutrition have a sour effect on the body, the system overacidifies. I know what I am talking about, I was also overacidified in the past, I have reduced the excess acid with Mayrkuren and alkaline powder.
The teaching of the teacher of all teachers is about the sufferings, just and especially about the mental impairments, which we (with the time often) inflict on ourselves in our thought palace.
In any case, the way is the goal!
Birth is suffering, old age is suffering, sickness is suffering, death is suffering, being separated from loved ones is suffering, being united with unloved ones is suffering, not attaining what one desires is suffering, grief, sorrow, pain, grief and despair are suffering.
- 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)
Mental sufferings are becoming more and more widespread, they have many faces and effects, in every age group people are struggling with mental illnesses of all kinds. Depression, disorders, anxiety, gloomy thoughts and sadness fall like shadows on souls, the future becomes more and more a problem.
Teenagers develop eating disorders, adults live in aggression, crises and burdens alternate with problems and quarrels, normal life is history, just now the omens are chaos and storm. Then the psyche falls ill much faster than usual, fears and stress restrict the way of life more and more, a sick psyche brings new fears, the cat bites its own tail.
An estimated 100 million people in Europe alone suffer from depression, 150 million from various anxiety disorders. According to Buddha, life consists of suffering, at least as long as one has not left the perpetual sequence of suffering, has not yet experienced "enlightenment".
Especially among young people the numbers are frightening, every fifth child (or adolescent under the age of twenty) is affected by psychological problems, behavioral problems of all kinds are on the rise, psychological burdens develop into diseases.
Clearly, people are mostly without orientation, the old structures are dissolving, the religious teachings that used to dominate everything in this cultural area are losing more and more members, new organizations have their difficulties, the family has lost its significance, the feeling of belonging together is lost in the urban canyons of the modern ghettos.
In addition, many of those affected remain silent about their condition out of shame, also no longer see a way out, no longer see the forest for the trees. I, for my part, take the natural remedy "St. John's wort" on days when I have the blues (even with Buddhists, not every day is the same, not everything is always vain bliss and sunshine), if only to give a sign to my "I".
Who is once stuck in the spiral of silence of a mental illness, who rarely finds out, the isolation worsens the conditions, the treatment is delayed, more and more often suicide is then a topic, the thoughts circle around more and more gloomy scenarios.
A not negligible part of the bad moods are the catastrophic living conditions, alcohol, drugs, nicotine and bad nutrition have a sour effect on the body, the system overacidifies. I know what I am talking about, I was also overacidified in the past, I have reduced the excess acid with Mayrkuren and alkaline powder.
The teaching of the teacher of all teachers is about the sufferings, just and especially about the mental impairments, which we (with the time often) inflict on ourselves in our thought palace.
In any case, the way is the goal!
Birth is suffering, old age is suffering, sickness is suffering, death is suffering, being separated from loved ones is suffering, being united with unloved ones is suffering, not attaining what one desires is suffering, grief, sorrow, pain, grief and despair are suffering.
- 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
Self-knowledge
My father used to say, "Self-knowledge is the first step to improvement!"
But what is self-knowledge, how important is it for me?
To know oneself means to reflect about oneself, without reflection there is no knowledge.
If you want to have a better life, you must first see your present life as it is, without embellishing it, without including your wishes and dreams, but simply acknowledging reality (which, by the way, does not exist according to Buddha).
If you think about yourself and your life, you will also recognize which advantages you have, how you stand out from the general public, what makes you special.
And self-knowledge is also enormously important when it comes to unpleasant things, such as: I drink too much, why? Smoking doesn't agree with me! I am overweight! My arrogant manner offends people! It is not easy to admit one's faults, we like to think that everything is "alright", that we have no problems, because we distort everything from our perspective so that the result "suits" us. This is also called "misjudgement". This happens to me again and again, I don't want to admit the small belly until the pants are stretched, then I have to notice it. Until then I put myself "advantageously" in front of the mirror, my assessment is clouded by my will, I e.g. feel ashamed that I can't discipline myself enough when eating.
Who has a "bad" image of himself, he estimates himself "worse", who has a "high" opinion of himself, he tends to overestimate, but the art is to be "honest" to oneself. Especially Buddhists (and first of all the "feel-good Buddhists") should (according to the teacher of all teachers) not look at things according to appearances, also not idealized, or through the glasses of one's own wishes, but as they are, which, however, requires a good portion of "courage". To classify things correctly and self-knowledge are interdependent in many areas, to gain knowledge about oneself is a process that must first emerge.
In general, it can be said that self-knowledge is the best thing that can happen to a seeker, because to make friends with the mistakes in the long run, that can not be the solution. Misconceptions happen to everyone, nobody is "perfect", even the perfect one needed his time to find the "enlightenment".
Whoever does not reach self-knowledge will always be determined by strangers, will lead a life determined by strangers, will always regret the decisions afterwards, will remain a slave of his emotions and feelings.
Will you find self-knowledge?
The way is the goal!
If the ignorant person seeks to know himself outside or outside the mind, how should he be able to find himself, since he seeks others than himself? He who seeks self-knowledge in this way is like a madman who flaunts himself in the midst of a crowd and forgets who he is, then seeks himself everywhere
- 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)
My father used to say, "Self-knowledge is the first step to improvement!"
But what is self-knowledge, how important is it for me?
To know oneself means to reflect about oneself, without reflection there is no knowledge.
If you want to have a better life, you must first see your present life as it is, without embellishing it, without including your wishes and dreams, but simply acknowledging reality (which, by the way, does not exist according to Buddha).
If you think about yourself and your life, you will also recognize which advantages you have, how you stand out from the general public, what makes you special.
And self-knowledge is also enormously important when it comes to unpleasant things, such as: I drink too much, why? Smoking doesn't agree with me! I am overweight! My arrogant manner offends people! It is not easy to admit one's faults, we like to think that everything is "alright", that we have no problems, because we distort everything from our perspective so that the result "suits" us. This is also called "misjudgement". This happens to me again and again, I don't want to admit the small belly until the pants are stretched, then I have to notice it. Until then I put myself "advantageously" in front of the mirror, my assessment is clouded by my will, I e.g. feel ashamed that I can't discipline myself enough when eating.
Who has a "bad" image of himself, he estimates himself "worse", who has a "high" opinion of himself, he tends to overestimate, but the art is to be "honest" to oneself. Especially Buddhists (and first of all the "feel-good Buddhists") should (according to the teacher of all teachers) not look at things according to appearances, also not idealized, or through the glasses of one's own wishes, but as they are, which, however, requires a good portion of "courage". To classify things correctly and self-knowledge are interdependent in many areas, to gain knowledge about oneself is a process that must first emerge.
In general, it can be said that self-knowledge is the best thing that can happen to a seeker, because to make friends with the mistakes in the long run, that can not be the solution. Misconceptions happen to everyone, nobody is "perfect", even the perfect one needed his time to find the "enlightenment".
Whoever does not reach self-knowledge will always be determined by strangers, will lead a life determined by strangers, will always regret the decisions afterwards, will remain a slave of his emotions and feelings.
Will you find self-knowledge?
The way is the goal!
If the ignorant person seeks to know himself outside or outside the mind, how should he be able to find himself, since he seeks others than himself? He who seeks self-knowledge in this way is like a madman who flaunts himself in the midst of a crowd and forgets who he is, then seeks himself everywhere
- 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
Stories from China
A reader keeps asking for stories from my time in China.
The first time I was there was almost 40 years ago, entered via Hong Kong, then continued by train until I arrived at Shaolin Temple after many stops.
At that time I didn't understand a word of Chinese, but I had a translation computer with me (yes, that existed at that time), with which I managed more badly than well.
On the way in a Chinese sleeper car, surrounded only by Chinese, I felt pretty stupid. What a stupid idea I had, what a stupid idea, with every kilometer the doubts grew. To the Shaolin Temple, I, the spoiled billionaire's son (my father Rolf Deyhle owned (almost) all the musicals in Germany at that time (CATS, Starlight Express, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon), the big entertainment shows were firmly in Swabian hands.
And I was simply on the road, to a temple, I felt so stupid. Why not go back to New York, party nicely, or to Milan, meet beautiful women. No, to a temple the trip should go. In a men's magazine there was a report about the home of Chinese Kung Fu, I was electrified, I wanted to go there. I had always done martial arts, fit "like a fiddle" all my life, almost addicted to sports, despite all my faults like a wind-up man.
There I was sitting in this train, my fellow passengers were getting drunk the whole way, there was smoking and cooking in this compartment. The people were so friendly, I was the first foreigner they had met.
I interrupted the trip near the Chinese provincial capital of Xian, where I went to see the Terracotta Army, which was supposed to guard the first emperor of China in the realm of the dead. An impressive affair, wonderfully sculpted soldiers, each figure different, incredible.
After extensive amazement, I gathered my courage to continue towards the temple, the train went to ZhengZhou. Again drinking fellow passengers, I began to learn Chinese, already obeying the need.
The sanitary conditions were adventurous, my father gave me on the way: "Who makes a journey, can experience something". And that's exactly how it was, the smells, the food prepared on the train, simple but kind people who wanted to make China "palatable" to me. And they managed to do that, collectively they took care of the foreigner.
But I doubted more and more my state of mind.
In the next few days I will continue to tell the story.
The way is the goal!
As a flame goes out from the wind, is blown away and concepts no longer fit, so is the wise man freed from "spirit and body": He can no longer be grasped conceptually
- 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)
A reader keeps asking for stories from my time in China.
The first time I was there was almost 40 years ago, entered via Hong Kong, then continued by train until I arrived at Shaolin Temple after many stops.
At that time I didn't understand a word of Chinese, but I had a translation computer with me (yes, that existed at that time), with which I managed more badly than well.
On the way in a Chinese sleeper car, surrounded only by Chinese, I felt pretty stupid. What a stupid idea I had, what a stupid idea, with every kilometer the doubts grew. To the Shaolin Temple, I, the spoiled billionaire's son (my father Rolf Deyhle owned (almost) all the musicals in Germany at that time (CATS, Starlight Express, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon), the big entertainment shows were firmly in Swabian hands.
And I was simply on the road, to a temple, I felt so stupid. Why not go back to New York, party nicely, or to Milan, meet beautiful women. No, to a temple the trip should go. In a men's magazine there was a report about the home of Chinese Kung Fu, I was electrified, I wanted to go there. I had always done martial arts, fit "like a fiddle" all my life, almost addicted to sports, despite all my faults like a wind-up man.
There I was sitting in this train, my fellow passengers were getting drunk the whole way, there was smoking and cooking in this compartment. The people were so friendly, I was the first foreigner they had met.
I interrupted the trip near the Chinese provincial capital of Xian, where I went to see the Terracotta Army, which was supposed to guard the first emperor of China in the realm of the dead. An impressive affair, wonderfully sculpted soldiers, each figure different, incredible.
After extensive amazement, I gathered my courage to continue towards the temple, the train went to ZhengZhou. Again drinking fellow passengers, I began to learn Chinese, already obeying the need.
The sanitary conditions were adventurous, my father gave me on the way: "Who makes a journey, can experience something". And that's exactly how it was, the smells, the food prepared on the train, simple but kind people who wanted to make China "palatable" to me. And they managed to do that, collectively they took care of the foreigner.
But I doubted more and more my state of mind.
In the next few days I will continue to tell the story.
The way is the goal!
As a flame goes out from the wind, is blown away and concepts no longer fit, so is the wise man freed from "spirit and body": He can no longer be grasped conceptually
- 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)
8 Minuten
Live more consciously
What does it mean to live more consciously?
There is a lot of talk about "conscious living," but what does it really mean?
Broadly speaking, a "conscious life" means deciding how to live life. Here I would like to refer to another article that deals with the nature of resolutions.
So a "conscious life" is about personal goals, and of course about finding choices on the path, for the path, for one's "I". According to Buddha, we can't decide anything, determine anything, only walk a certain path, which is also predetermined for us in large parts, but the cards that life deals us, we can play them as we please.
In any case, feel-good Buddhists (those who are still looking for their way) want to take their lives into their own hands, have visions, wishes and goals, want to lead the "perfect" life.
At the beginning of all developments there are always thoughts, plans. Thus, before building a house, there is always the planning, an architect makes a construction plan, on the basis of which the house is then created. With the thoughts we can let things come into being, depending on the karma then choose what should become reality. Buddha said, "With our thoughts we shape the world." We believe our own thoughts, the energies will then flow in that direction.
At the same time, it is only up to us what goals we "visualize", because the brain does not care about relations. Set possible and impossible goals, play (in your mind palace) with the energies, live through (in your mind) different situations, experience the lives.
It is important that you do not fall into emotions, because it is okay to have feelings, but not to be driven by them. Nothing is "good" or "bad", "right" or "wrong", you are not a "bad" or "good" person, but your karma is as it is. When emotions arise, feel them out, where is this thought coming from right now? Do you need this emotion right now, or could you also postpone, shift, push away the "problem"? Control your emotions, don't let feelings control you.
If you have now chosen a direction, then you should also go this way (at least for a while). I, for one, mainly listen to my body, I like to push away the rational. If I then sense "reluctance" from my body on the chosen path, then I stop.
Such things must also be perceived, quickly and without ifs and buts. We rationally build ourselves so many castles in the air, but the body clearly shows us how it should really go. Fear is always a bad companion, fear of change is (in Buddhist terms) the main reason for our suffering.
I for my part keep a calendar in which I plan my activities. Whether the affairs happen then also in such a way, that is a completely different question. Here I listen to myself, let the body decide.
It is very easy to practice this approach by planning small rituals into the daily routine and listening to the body. Do I really want this? Do I live more consciously this way? Which rituals do I like, which ones do I not really want. In this way you can decide the big things of life more consciously on the basis of small habits, even if according to Buddha this does not seem possible at all.
In any case, the same applies here: The way is the goal!
We are what we think. Everything we are arises from our thoughts. With our thoughts we form the world
- 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)
What does it mean to live more consciously?
There is a lot of talk about "conscious living," but what does it really mean?
Broadly speaking, a "conscious life" means deciding how to live life. Here I would like to refer to another article that deals with the nature of resolutions.
So a "conscious life" is about personal goals, and of course about finding choices on the path, for the path, for one's "I". According to Buddha, we can't decide anything, determine anything, only walk a certain path, which is also predetermined for us in large parts, but the cards that life deals us, we can play them as we please.
In any case, feel-good Buddhists (those who are still looking for their way) want to take their lives into their own hands, have visions, wishes and goals, want to lead the "perfect" life.
At the beginning of all developments there are always thoughts, plans. Thus, before building a house, there is always the planning, an architect makes a construction plan, on the basis of which the house is then created. With the thoughts we can let things come into being, depending on the karma then choose what should become reality. Buddha said, "With our thoughts we shape the world." We believe our own thoughts, the energies will then flow in that direction.
At the same time, it is only up to us what goals we "visualize", because the brain does not care about relations. Set possible and impossible goals, play (in your mind palace) with the energies, live through (in your mind) different situations, experience the lives.
It is important that you do not fall into emotions, because it is okay to have feelings, but not to be driven by them. Nothing is "good" or "bad", "right" or "wrong", you are not a "bad" or "good" person, but your karma is as it is. When emotions arise, feel them out, where is this thought coming from right now? Do you need this emotion right now, or could you also postpone, shift, push away the "problem"? Control your emotions, don't let feelings control you.
If you have now chosen a direction, then you should also go this way (at least for a while). I, for one, mainly listen to my body, I like to push away the rational. If I then sense "reluctance" from my body on the chosen path, then I stop.
Such things must also be perceived, quickly and without ifs and buts. We rationally build ourselves so many castles in the air, but the body clearly shows us how it should really go. Fear is always a bad companion, fear of change is (in Buddhist terms) the main reason for our suffering.
I for my part keep a calendar in which I plan my activities. Whether the affairs happen then also in such a way, that is a completely different question. Here I listen to myself, let the body decide.
It is very easy to practice this approach by planning small rituals into the daily routine and listening to the body. Do I really want this? Do I live more consciously this way? Which rituals do I like, which ones do I not really want. In this way you can decide the big things of life more consciously on the basis of small habits, even if according to Buddha this does not seem possible at all.
In any case, the same applies here: The way is the goal!
We are what we think. Everything we are arises from our thoughts. With our thoughts we form the world
- 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)
7 Minuten
What do I want from life?
How often do I hear that those around me are undecided, don't "know" exactly, haven't decided yet; many people let themselves drift, similar to a leaf in the wind. I know so many people who have been searching for so long, not really knowing what they want in life, wandering through life without purpose or goal.
According to Buddha, it doesn't matter if we decide or not, everything will come as it must.
But for those of us who see ourselves as feel-good Buddhists, who see the philosophy of the teacher of all teachers more as a kind of second religion, for them it is of central importance to find out what they really want.
Every day we make an infinite number of decisions, in the morning tea or coffee, the white or the blue shirt, shower or cat wash, by train or by car to work, do I call her or wait for the great love, do I want the bigger apartment? Questions upon questions, to which there are all kinds of answers that can also be logically justified.
But what is reasonable, what do I really need, can heart and mind really agree?
By thinking, we try to find the "best" solution for us, but often we get more and more confused, thoughts go round in circles without stopping, the rational solution is difficult to find. In addition, we hardly know ourselves, we don't know what we really need.
But how do we find out what really suits us, what makes us feel "comfortable"? It is quite simple, if we switch off the ratio, go into the body, let it choose. This sounds strange at first, how should the body decide something?
Remember when you go for a stroll in another city, you just wander around aimlessly? Here the body is looking for direction, "subconsciously" you are being pulled and guided. In many things, the body leads so much better than the mind. It knows what you really want. Whether you call it a feeling, or some kind of providence, the body is like a compass, pulling to where is "good" for you. If you then feel some kind of excited tingling, then it is "good" for you. But if your neck tightens slightly, your breathing becomes dull, your throat dry, then it's just "bad" for you.
Why don't you just try things out one after the other and feel inside yourself where which feelings arise. If you want to move to Hamburg, for example, then take a vacation there first, if you want to change your job, then do it as a test.
The way is the goal! Follow the body.
Beware of acts of anger, make the body your servant. Avoid all sins of deed, do right with your body.
- 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)
How often do I hear that those around me are undecided, don't "know" exactly, haven't decided yet; many people let themselves drift, similar to a leaf in the wind. I know so many people who have been searching for so long, not really knowing what they want in life, wandering through life without purpose or goal.
According to Buddha, it doesn't matter if we decide or not, everything will come as it must.
But for those of us who see ourselves as feel-good Buddhists, who see the philosophy of the teacher of all teachers more as a kind of second religion, for them it is of central importance to find out what they really want.
Every day we make an infinite number of decisions, in the morning tea or coffee, the white or the blue shirt, shower or cat wash, by train or by car to work, do I call her or wait for the great love, do I want the bigger apartment? Questions upon questions, to which there are all kinds of answers that can also be logically justified.
But what is reasonable, what do I really need, can heart and mind really agree?
By thinking, we try to find the "best" solution for us, but often we get more and more confused, thoughts go round in circles without stopping, the rational solution is difficult to find. In addition, we hardly know ourselves, we don't know what we really need.
But how do we find out what really suits us, what makes us feel "comfortable"? It is quite simple, if we switch off the ratio, go into the body, let it choose. This sounds strange at first, how should the body decide something?
Remember when you go for a stroll in another city, you just wander around aimlessly? Here the body is looking for direction, "subconsciously" you are being pulled and guided. In many things, the body leads so much better than the mind. It knows what you really want. Whether you call it a feeling, or some kind of providence, the body is like a compass, pulling to where is "good" for you. If you then feel some kind of excited tingling, then it is "good" for you. But if your neck tightens slightly, your breathing becomes dull, your throat dry, then it's just "bad" for you.
Why don't you just try things out one after the other and feel inside yourself where which feelings arise. If you want to move to Hamburg, for example, then take a vacation there first, if you want to change your job, then do it as a test.
The way is the goal! Follow the body.
Beware of acts of anger, make the body your servant. Avoid all sins of deed, do right with your body.
- 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)
7 Minuten
The end of the evil conditions
What are evil states? Well, a Buddhist will answer differently from a non-Buddhist, a young person will not answer like an older one, a resident of a warm country will answer differently from one from a cold region.
According to the sublime, however, evil states are the dark inclinations, such as the inclination to aversion, or also the inclinations to lust or desire.
The inclination to become or to appear, to conceit and ill-will, to bad speech and to meanness, these also belong to the evil circumstances according to the perfect. But especially the inclination to the use of weapons, as well as the inclination to cluelessness are evil conditions.
The tendency to discord and strife, quarreling and blasphemy, these are also evil conditions, which Buddha denounced again and again in his teachings.
Only a person who does not quarrel with anyone, does not seek sensual pleasure, is not confused, has no sorrow, desires nothing, wants nothing.
The perfect one sees because he sees, he has the special eye, he pronounces the things that have meaning, he proclaims the way that the teaching points out, he is the master, he has the knowledge, he can explain, point out, instruct, so that the evil conditions are ended.
The Exalted One shows how, through forms, there is an awareness of our sight, through bodily contact there is an awareness of our touch, through sounds there is an awareness of our hearing, through tastes there is an awareness of our taste, through smells there is an awareness of our smell, through the brain there is an awareness of our thinking.
Any contact of our senses generates a consciousness, which one perceives, and in the consequence something feels, about which one thinks, which one can formulate further. From this people then make their concepts, systems and values, through our mind a mind consciousness is created. Everything that seems to be experienceable with the mind becomes a bondage, beyond the original source.
From the original contact follows a feeling, which causes a perception, which makes thinking possible, whereby categories, concepts and systems follow, which are explained further and further, in order to be transformed by thinking then into danger. But if at the beginning none of our senses is addressed, then also the thinking will come to rest, no feelings will arise.
The evil states are all based on triggers which have to be determined. When nothing is triggered here, nothing is found, no sound is triggered, no images, no ideas, then the evil tendencies come to a stop.
The exalted one instructed his followers to see this as when a hungry person eats a honey cake, the seeker has to track down the evil conditions, which is why this teaching achieved fame as the honey cake teaching.
The way is also here the goal!
Owner Error Sees Itself Hard
- 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)
What are evil states? Well, a Buddhist will answer differently from a non-Buddhist, a young person will not answer like an older one, a resident of a warm country will answer differently from one from a cold region.
According to the sublime, however, evil states are the dark inclinations, such as the inclination to aversion, or also the inclinations to lust or desire.
The inclination to become or to appear, to conceit and ill-will, to bad speech and to meanness, these also belong to the evil circumstances according to the perfect. But especially the inclination to the use of weapons, as well as the inclination to cluelessness are evil conditions.
The tendency to discord and strife, quarreling and blasphemy, these are also evil conditions, which Buddha denounced again and again in his teachings.
Only a person who does not quarrel with anyone, does not seek sensual pleasure, is not confused, has no sorrow, desires nothing, wants nothing.
The perfect one sees because he sees, he has the special eye, he pronounces the things that have meaning, he proclaims the way that the teaching points out, he is the master, he has the knowledge, he can explain, point out, instruct, so that the evil conditions are ended.
The Exalted One shows how, through forms, there is an awareness of our sight, through bodily contact there is an awareness of our touch, through sounds there is an awareness of our hearing, through tastes there is an awareness of our taste, through smells there is an awareness of our smell, through the brain there is an awareness of our thinking.
Any contact of our senses generates a consciousness, which one perceives, and in the consequence something feels, about which one thinks, which one can formulate further. From this people then make their concepts, systems and values, through our mind a mind consciousness is created. Everything that seems to be experienceable with the mind becomes a bondage, beyond the original source.
From the original contact follows a feeling, which causes a perception, which makes thinking possible, whereby categories, concepts and systems follow, which are explained further and further, in order to be transformed by thinking then into danger. But if at the beginning none of our senses is addressed, then also the thinking will come to rest, no feelings will arise.
The evil states are all based on triggers which have to be determined. When nothing is triggered here, nothing is found, no sound is triggered, no images, no ideas, then the evil tendencies come to a stop.
The exalted one instructed his followers to see this as when a hungry person eats a honey cake, the seeker has to track down the evil conditions, which is why this teaching achieved fame as the honey cake teaching.
The way is also here the goal!
Owner Error Sees Itself Hard
- 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)
7 Minuten
The chains
Once the Perfect One spoke to his followers about the chains that the seeker has to overcome, which stir up uncertainty and doubt in the heart, leaving indecision and no confidence.
First of all, there are the bad feelings towards the teacher, which are the first chain. Those who are not sure about the teacher, doubt his words, are undecided whether to follow him, do not see any confidence in him, have not broken the first chain.
Then there are those who are wavering about the teaching, do not hear (or do not want to hear) the message, feel skepticism in their heart, are undecided about the view, who also do not put hope in the Dharma, they have not broken the second chain.
Furthermore, there are those who feel biased towards the community, have criticism of the Sangha (the community), are fearful of it, draw little security from the meeting, they have not yet broken the third chain.
There are also seekers who are apprehensive about the practices, distrustful of the benefits, unstable and lacking in discipline, who see no chance in meditating, who have not yet broken the fourth chain.
Then there are those who face life itself in a rough way, staggering without stability, not dissolving the distrust of the sanctity of all being, unstable and fragile, meeting all being with harshness, not seeing (or not wanting to see) a point of light, they have not yet broken the fifth chain.
Those who have not yet broken the chains are at the mercy of greed and hatred, of delusion, without being able to do anything against it, because their heart is in chains, is a prisoner of their infatuation, their thirst for more and more.
The one who lives like this does not want to look for the way with zeal and devotion, he also does not find a gate, and no nirvana. For this, the seeker needs effort, discipline and perseverance.
Such a seeker will not be able to reach "enlightenment" because he lacks the most important qualities. But the one who can break these chains, who is able to become an "enlightened" being, will no longer be shackled, the Perfect One explained.
The Exalted One explained that enthusiasm for the Way is the beginning of all contemplations. Even if the path is still unknown, the seeker nevertheless feels an attraction that pulls him in that direction, similar to a magnet that can be felt.
Feel inside yourself, what attraction is acting on you? And do you know about the chains that tie up your heart?
The way is the goal!
If recklessness is terrible for a disciple, if mindfulness is dear to him, if he breaks large and small chains, he gradually glows out like fire.
- 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)
Once the Perfect One spoke to his followers about the chains that the seeker has to overcome, which stir up uncertainty and doubt in the heart, leaving indecision and no confidence.
First of all, there are the bad feelings towards the teacher, which are the first chain. Those who are not sure about the teacher, doubt his words, are undecided whether to follow him, do not see any confidence in him, have not broken the first chain.
Then there are those who are wavering about the teaching, do not hear (or do not want to hear) the message, feel skepticism in their heart, are undecided about the view, who also do not put hope in the Dharma, they have not broken the second chain.
Furthermore, there are those who feel biased towards the community, have criticism of the Sangha (the community), are fearful of it, draw little security from the meeting, they have not yet broken the third chain.
There are also seekers who are apprehensive about the practices, distrustful of the benefits, unstable and lacking in discipline, who see no chance in meditating, who have not yet broken the fourth chain.
Then there are those who face life itself in a rough way, staggering without stability, not dissolving the distrust of the sanctity of all being, unstable and fragile, meeting all being with harshness, not seeing (or not wanting to see) a point of light, they have not yet broken the fifth chain.
Those who have not yet broken the chains are at the mercy of greed and hatred, of delusion, without being able to do anything against it, because their heart is in chains, is a prisoner of their infatuation, their thirst for more and more.
The one who lives like this does not want to look for the way with zeal and devotion, he also does not find a gate, and no nirvana. For this, the seeker needs effort, discipline and perseverance.
Such a seeker will not be able to reach "enlightenment" because he lacks the most important qualities. But the one who can break these chains, who is able to become an "enlightened" being, will no longer be shackled, the Perfect One explained.
The Exalted One explained that enthusiasm for the Way is the beginning of all contemplations. Even if the path is still unknown, the seeker nevertheless feels an attraction that pulls him in that direction, similar to a magnet that can be felt.
Feel inside yourself, what attraction is acting on you? And do you know about the chains that tie up your heart?
The way is the goal!
If recklessness is terrible for a disciple, if mindfulness is dear to him, if he breaks large and small chains, he gradually glows out like fire.
- 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)
7 Minuten
The ignorance
Buddhists know about the unwholesome effect of the three mind poisons, namely greed, hatred and delusion (ignorance). In the Buddhist wheel of life, the animals pig (ignorance), snake (hatred) and cock (greed) are assigned to these three mind poisons.
But how do these poisons arise in our minds, why does ignorance rule mankind? Because it is ignorance that brings insecurity, from which greed and hatred then arise.
The human ignorance towards the destiny, towards the transitoriness, that brings a strange karma over the times, because the constant wanting and wishing, that brings no satisfaction, the desire never stops, the longing is not satisfied, only repressed for a short time, that is the simple truth.
Experiences of any kind (briefly) displace thoughts, distract us, but then the human senses come back to the satisfaction of physical needs, and to desires, which are a constant wanting.
He who is knowledgeable knows that only reflection can replace ignorance, that distraction and diversion must come to their bitter end, because at the end of the day we are just alone, all attachments then finally show themselves as illusions.
As long as we are attached, as long as we suffer, whoever does not want to (or cannot) overcome ignorance, cannot ascend to an enlightened being, is born again and again, goes through the suffering again and again.
A main part of our time we are busy thinking about what is wrong, why it should be different, that there is a mistake, because it is not the way we want it. This is the increase of ignorance, we get into know-it-all-ness, because we don't want to accept things as they are, but imagine that we know everything better. How should it be, how is it?
The ever blazing fire of ignorance is extinguished by "enlightenment", which then finds its final state in Nirvana. The state that is reached when reaching Nirvana, we call "enlightenment", because we are then no longer ignorant, but know very well about the true connections.
As a logical consequence, there can be no other mental poisons then, because hatred and greed have become as unnecessary as a rash on the skin.
Whoever may spend his life in ignorance, simply not willing to think about the connections, must live through further incarnations because of his weakness of will.
Ignorance as a symbol must be destroyed, then "enlightenment" is possible.
Because my listeners know: The way is the goal!
Wise know: Desire saturates even no golden rain.
The pleasures taste insipid, they are sorrowful all the way.
- 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)
Buddhists know about the unwholesome effect of the three mind poisons, namely greed, hatred and delusion (ignorance). In the Buddhist wheel of life, the animals pig (ignorance), snake (hatred) and cock (greed) are assigned to these three mind poisons.
But how do these poisons arise in our minds, why does ignorance rule mankind? Because it is ignorance that brings insecurity, from which greed and hatred then arise.
The human ignorance towards the destiny, towards the transitoriness, that brings a strange karma over the times, because the constant wanting and wishing, that brings no satisfaction, the desire never stops, the longing is not satisfied, only repressed for a short time, that is the simple truth.
Experiences of any kind (briefly) displace thoughts, distract us, but then the human senses come back to the satisfaction of physical needs, and to desires, which are a constant wanting.
He who is knowledgeable knows that only reflection can replace ignorance, that distraction and diversion must come to their bitter end, because at the end of the day we are just alone, all attachments then finally show themselves as illusions.
As long as we are attached, as long as we suffer, whoever does not want to (or cannot) overcome ignorance, cannot ascend to an enlightened being, is born again and again, goes through the suffering again and again.
A main part of our time we are busy thinking about what is wrong, why it should be different, that there is a mistake, because it is not the way we want it. This is the increase of ignorance, we get into know-it-all-ness, because we don't want to accept things as they are, but imagine that we know everything better. How should it be, how is it?
The ever blazing fire of ignorance is extinguished by "enlightenment", which then finds its final state in Nirvana. The state that is reached when reaching Nirvana, we call "enlightenment", because we are then no longer ignorant, but know very well about the true connections.
As a logical consequence, there can be no other mental poisons then, because hatred and greed have become as unnecessary as a rash on the skin.
Whoever may spend his life in ignorance, simply not willing to think about the connections, must live through further incarnations because of his weakness of will.
Ignorance as a symbol must be destroyed, then "enlightenment" is possible.
Because my listeners know: The way is the goal!
Wise know: Desire saturates even no golden rain.
The pleasures taste insipid, they are sorrowful all the way.
- 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)
7 Minuten
My aquarium
Maybe some readers have noticed that I got an aquarium as a present from the Shaolin Temple Europe. The good spirit of the temple breeds ornamental fish there in the basement, which brings a very calming aspect.
The aquarium is small, stands on my desk, again and again I enjoy the hustle and bustle, the little fish are "lively like fish in water", I enjoy their Buddha nature.
At the same time I think to myself that they probably have no idea of the situation, simply accept their container, probably do not doubt their fate, probably do not ponder about the "meaning of life", certainly would not even understand that they are "my" fish, swimming in a water tank, living in an "artificial world". It is also not at all sure whether they "perceive" me. It is also not clear whether they see me at all, can classify me, or simply recognize me as a thick shadow to swim away from.
Every time I look into the aquarium I imagine that I too could be living in some kind of container that another species has built for me (and my fellow species), who are now in front of some kind of glass, staring at me as I go about my work, perhaps themselves sitting in a container again, being watched by yet another species. This would correspond very much with the teaching of Buddha, after all is only a dream, which it is necessary to leave.
And the fishes themselves, what if they would also keep some kind of pets, such as a web of algae, or small colonies of shells, or maybe just single-celled organisms. All then in consequence species, which think of themselves to be "unique", which do not (can not) see the connection "outside", which do not (can not) understand at all, how things are connected. Just as Buddha explains the connections to us, because we just don't "understand" them either.
Can you imagine (for a short moment) that you too are sitting in such a cage (or aquarium)? Above us stands a species that dominates us, allocates things to us, organizes the feeding for us, that "invented" our entire system? A disturbing thought. Whereas we think that we are the crown of creation (which we are not at all). And we think that we would understand so everything, that "our" science would have the "full view". Or what would be, if we are only the play figures of some "spinners from the future", just only the parts of a computer game?
Yes, if we look out of our container, but understand nothing, what would be then?
The way is the goal!
Let the fools strive for glory, toil for vain precedence. Let them seek vain dominion delusions, let them hunt!
- 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)
Maybe some readers have noticed that I got an aquarium as a present from the Shaolin Temple Europe. The good spirit of the temple breeds ornamental fish there in the basement, which brings a very calming aspect.
The aquarium is small, stands on my desk, again and again I enjoy the hustle and bustle, the little fish are "lively like fish in water", I enjoy their Buddha nature.
At the same time I think to myself that they probably have no idea of the situation, simply accept their container, probably do not doubt their fate, probably do not ponder about the "meaning of life", certainly would not even understand that they are "my" fish, swimming in a water tank, living in an "artificial world". It is also not at all sure whether they "perceive" me. It is also not clear whether they see me at all, can classify me, or simply recognize me as a thick shadow to swim away from.
Every time I look into the aquarium I imagine that I too could be living in some kind of container that another species has built for me (and my fellow species), who are now in front of some kind of glass, staring at me as I go about my work, perhaps themselves sitting in a container again, being watched by yet another species. This would correspond very much with the teaching of Buddha, after all is only a dream, which it is necessary to leave.
And the fishes themselves, what if they would also keep some kind of pets, such as a web of algae, or small colonies of shells, or maybe just single-celled organisms. All then in consequence species, which think of themselves to be "unique", which do not (can not) see the connection "outside", which do not (can not) understand at all, how things are connected. Just as Buddha explains the connections to us, because we just don't "understand" them either.
Can you imagine (for a short moment) that you too are sitting in such a cage (or aquarium)? Above us stands a species that dominates us, allocates things to us, organizes the feeding for us, that "invented" our entire system? A disturbing thought. Whereas we think that we are the crown of creation (which we are not at all). And we think that we would understand so everything, that "our" science would have the "full view". Or what would be, if we are only the play figures of some "spinners from the future", just only the parts of a computer game?
Yes, if we look out of our container, but understand nothing, what would be then?
The way is the goal!
Let the fools strive for glory, toil for vain precedence. Let them seek vain dominion delusions, let them hunt!
- 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)
7 Minuten
Pear seeds do not become apples
Directly from Buddha comes this wise sentence, which unfolds its full effect only with time, namely when "one" thinks about it.
Pears and apples have certain similarities, grow on (fruit) trees, the seeds look pretty much the same, but still, some fruits are pears, but others are apples. They have a common basic consistency, but they taste completely different.
But what did the Buddha want to express with this wisdom?
In my opinion, the teacher of all teachers wanted to point out to his followers that no unrealistic expectations will bring things further, but that we humans should be content with what we have.
Often we want unrealistic things, we wish, we want, we struggle with fate, why me, the world has conspired against me, I always have bad luck. So "one" often hears, people tell themselves such nonsense. We want to get apples from pear seeds, we are not satisfied with anything, but we know what comes next.
Deep inside we realize why Buddha left this sentence, we draw peace and tranquility from his wisdom, we can meditate on this sentence, always find new aspects of the philosophy of the teacher of all teachers in these few words, which are full of primordial knowledge, which explain our human shortcomings well.
What do you think when you hear these words, do you feel your mortality, how your life is slowly fading away? This incarnation, not universal being. Pear seeds do not become apples, never, apple seeds do not become pears either.
This life is just a dream, nothing is real, everything is just an imagination, we have turned against everything that should be important to us, simply because we have understood NOTHING, will understand nothing. We follow the Buddha's teaching because we instinctively feel that the miserable life is not everything, cannot be everything.
I suggest you to meditate on this sentence of Buddha, in the darkness we wait for the light, thereby we know, we feel what is "real" behind the scenes. The seeds stand as symbols for the teaching, the worldview that Buddha found, that makes the enlightened beings free.
Who does not want to get behind the secrets of the universe, to see through the mysteries of creation, who does not want to be free from fears and hardships?
If you are to become a pear, then it is so, nothing you can do against it, under no circumstances you become an apple.
The way is and remains the goal!
One should not look for peace outside, only within oneself. He who has found the inner silence does not reach for anything, nor does he reject anything.
- 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)
Directly from Buddha comes this wise sentence, which unfolds its full effect only with time, namely when "one" thinks about it.
Pears and apples have certain similarities, grow on (fruit) trees, the seeds look pretty much the same, but still, some fruits are pears, but others are apples. They have a common basic consistency, but they taste completely different.
But what did the Buddha want to express with this wisdom?
In my opinion, the teacher of all teachers wanted to point out to his followers that no unrealistic expectations will bring things further, but that we humans should be content with what we have.
Often we want unrealistic things, we wish, we want, we struggle with fate, why me, the world has conspired against me, I always have bad luck. So "one" often hears, people tell themselves such nonsense. We want to get apples from pear seeds, we are not satisfied with anything, but we know what comes next.
Deep inside we realize why Buddha left this sentence, we draw peace and tranquility from his wisdom, we can meditate on this sentence, always find new aspects of the philosophy of the teacher of all teachers in these few words, which are full of primordial knowledge, which explain our human shortcomings well.
What do you think when you hear these words, do you feel your mortality, how your life is slowly fading away? This incarnation, not universal being. Pear seeds do not become apples, never, apple seeds do not become pears either.
This life is just a dream, nothing is real, everything is just an imagination, we have turned against everything that should be important to us, simply because we have understood NOTHING, will understand nothing. We follow the Buddha's teaching because we instinctively feel that the miserable life is not everything, cannot be everything.
I suggest you to meditate on this sentence of Buddha, in the darkness we wait for the light, thereby we know, we feel what is "real" behind the scenes. The seeds stand as symbols for the teaching, the worldview that Buddha found, that makes the enlightened beings free.
Who does not want to get behind the secrets of the universe, to see through the mysteries of creation, who does not want to be free from fears and hardships?
If you are to become a pear, then it is so, nothing you can do against it, under no circumstances you become an apple.
The way is and remains the goal!
One should not look for peace outside, only within oneself. He who has found the inner silence does not reach for anything, nor does he reject anything.
- 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)
9 Minuten
Is life just a dream?
The text "Is life only a dream?" appeared on 3.4.2020 on my blog, here it goes to the original click.
Especially to this text I have received many letters, also there are readers (virtual students), who always thematize this text, because it occupies them very much. Now a reader has revised this text and added his own remarks, which is why I publish his copy here (uncommented).
Is life only a dream? (With comments from the reader Deniz U.)
Is life only a dream?
Can Shaolin Rainer be trusted?
Could it be that life is just a dream? Thoughts trapped in darkness.
Could we wake up from the dream? Why do we not realize that we are asleep?
Significant Buddhist texts suggest this. But does it make sense to you?
Important Chan masters repeatedly point to the surreality of thought. The Anatman teaching of Buddha makes sense.
It raises the question, "Who am I"?
Where do I find light?
"Is this my body or am I my body"? Illusory words?
And if it is "my body", where am I? Not in the light, but why not?
Really these questions will understand only people who are "awakened", therefore they blow like the wind.
Because they know the reality, not the dream that we perceive as reality. We need to connect with the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
Life is like a "sitcom," a projection of your own mind. Deep inside you know it.
The script and actors are set, episode after episode is shot. Unfortunately, compassion and wisdom are missing.
Love, hate, greed and delusion are the usual ingredients of a good television show. Without the eightfold path, it has no level.
Our life is written, we can do little or nothing about it. Only through Buddha's teaching, so try it and you will be surprised. And later you will enjoy the pathless path.
Many things we can enjoy (like horror movies) because we know they are not real. For the truth we are still unfortunately blind.
We feel the same way with fears, enemy images and worries, until we realize that these are also fake, then finally we are "above it". Therefore, your Bodhisattwa makes vows and you get blessings like the Boddhisattwa brothers.
In my dream I am "everything", basically I see only myself, in every situation. Like action and re-action only an illusion. Only when I wake up from the dream, I experience reality. Truth liberates.
When and how do I know that I am no longer dreaming?
When is enlightenment your purpose?
When you live in the moment and no longer in your own world. Recognize the surreality of the world. When the mind no longer holds you captive, when the thought is released from the "thought carousel" and when your consciousness no longer wanders in the labyrinth. Worries and things that keep us under stress fall away from us, then I have arrived in reality, then I have accepted my Buddha nature. Finally see behind the scenes. Please learn the Shaolin knowledge.
So there are no enemies outside of me, what I experience as an enemy image is the projection of my own mind. But remember, it is not simple.
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
The text "Is life only a dream?" appeared on 3.4.2020 on my blog, here it goes to the original click.
Especially to this text I have received many letters, also there are readers (virtual students), who always thematize this text, because it occupies them very much. Now a reader has revised this text and added his own remarks, which is why I publish his copy here (uncommented).
Is life only a dream? (With comments from the reader Deniz U.)
Is life only a dream?
Can Shaolin Rainer be trusted?
Could it be that life is just a dream? Thoughts trapped in darkness.
Could we wake up from the dream? Why do we not realize that we are asleep?
Significant Buddhist texts suggest this. But does it make sense to you?
Important Chan masters repeatedly point to the surreality of thought. The Anatman teaching of Buddha makes sense.
It raises the question, "Who am I"?
Where do I find light?
"Is this my body or am I my body"? Illusory words?
And if it is "my body", where am I? Not in the light, but why not?
Really these questions will understand only people who are "awakened", therefore they blow like the wind.
Because they know the reality, not the dream that we perceive as reality. We need to connect with the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
Life is like a "sitcom," a projection of your own mind. Deep inside you know it.
The script and actors are set, episode after episode is shot. Unfortunately, compassion and wisdom are missing.
Love, hate, greed and delusion are the usual ingredients of a good television show. Without the eightfold path, it has no level.
Our life is written, we can do little or nothing about it. Only through Buddha's teaching, so try it and you will be surprised. And later you will enjoy the pathless path.
Many things we can enjoy (like horror movies) because we know they are not real. For the truth we are still unfortunately blind.
We feel the same way with fears, enemy images and worries, until we realize that these are also fake, then finally we are "above it". Therefore, your Bodhisattwa makes vows and you get blessings like the Boddhisattwa brothers.
In my dream I am "everything", basically I see only myself, in every situation. Like action and re-action only an illusion. Only when I wake up from the dream, I experience reality. Truth liberates.
When and how do I know that I am no longer dreaming?
When is enlightenment your purpose?
When you live in the moment and no longer in your own world. Recognize the surreality of the world. When the mind no longer holds you captive, when the thought is released from the "thought carousel" and when your consciousness no longer wanders in the labyrinth. Worries and things that keep us under stress fall away from us, then I have arrived in reality, then I have accepted my Buddha nature. Finally see behind the scenes. Please learn the Shaolin knowledge.
So there are no enemies outside of me, what I experience as an enemy image is the projection of my own mind. But remember, it is not simple.
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
7 Minuten
Experience mindfulness
In our overstimulated, complicated and anxiety-filled world, we need to reflect on ourselves, learn to cope with fears, uncertainty and limitation. The Buddhist trend with "mindfulness" brings an enjoyable counterpoint that brings a change of attitude.
Prosperity problems such as emotional or physical exhaustion, fatigue and sleep disorders have become almost normal, the health condition of the majority is alarming, hysteria has left deep notches in people's state of mind. Professional stress brings further mental stimuli, constant accessibility and an office in one's pocket results in even more pressure. Added to this are fears of loss, jobs are no longer secure, the threat of slipping is looming.
However, many people now want to take their own destiny into their own hands again, to "optimize" their own ego, to give their own ideas more room again.
Buddhists always have the topic of "mindfulness" in the back of their minds, since the great teacher urged his followers to live mindfully, to stay in the here and now, not to digress.
The average Central European increasingly feels a longing that finds expression in the trendy term mindfulness. For the average person, this is less about meditative rapture and more about a certain degree of well-being, which is said to come from Buddhism in particular. Mindfulness as a countermovement to the constant "more", to the always "higher", to the all-round "further", as a counterpole with a lot of calmness.
Now many non-Buddhists also want to learn to switch off through yoga and meditation, to finally master the flood of information.
But mindfulness exercises cannot suddenly make the whole world a better place, people are just the way they are, our environment is not necessarily interested in our efforts. Here it is then necessary to clearly communicate the limits of mindfulness, to convey to those around us that we are not seeking harmony "at any cost." Buddha admonished his disciples to always seek reality, not to take refuge in illusions just because we want the world to be "different" than it really is.
Not "more" but "less" should be our most important thought, the constant striving for material things must be stopped. The relationship between people must change, mindfulness in dealing can only really work if this attitude becomes a fundamental consensus. But will such positive values ever become generally valid attitudes to life for the majority? Not at first, but the issue has potential.
Buddhism brings the important questions of our time as a topic into the consciousness of the people, the teaching of the Indian prince holds all answers ready to go mindfully through life.
The path is the goal!
Difficult to fathom, great in arts, the mind revels in thoughts. Happiness is only for the wise, who keeps it mindfully in bounds.
- 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)
In our overstimulated, complicated and anxiety-filled world, we need to reflect on ourselves, learn to cope with fears, uncertainty and limitation. The Buddhist trend with "mindfulness" brings an enjoyable counterpoint that brings a change of attitude.
Prosperity problems such as emotional or physical exhaustion, fatigue and sleep disorders have become almost normal, the health condition of the majority is alarming, hysteria has left deep notches in people's state of mind. Professional stress brings further mental stimuli, constant accessibility and an office in one's pocket results in even more pressure. Added to this are fears of loss, jobs are no longer secure, the threat of slipping is looming.
However, many people now want to take their own destiny into their own hands again, to "optimize" their own ego, to give their own ideas more room again.
Buddhists always have the topic of "mindfulness" in the back of their minds, since the great teacher urged his followers to live mindfully, to stay in the here and now, not to digress.
The average Central European increasingly feels a longing that finds expression in the trendy term mindfulness. For the average person, this is less about meditative rapture and more about a certain degree of well-being, which is said to come from Buddhism in particular. Mindfulness as a countermovement to the constant "more", to the always "higher", to the all-round "further", as a counterpole with a lot of calmness.
Now many non-Buddhists also want to learn to switch off through yoga and meditation, to finally master the flood of information.
But mindfulness exercises cannot suddenly make the whole world a better place, people are just the way they are, our environment is not necessarily interested in our efforts. Here it is then necessary to clearly communicate the limits of mindfulness, to convey to those around us that we are not seeking harmony "at any cost." Buddha admonished his disciples to always seek reality, not to take refuge in illusions just because we want the world to be "different" than it really is.
Not "more" but "less" should be our most important thought, the constant striving for material things must be stopped. The relationship between people must change, mindfulness in dealing can only really work if this attitude becomes a fundamental consensus. But will such positive values ever become generally valid attitudes to life for the majority? Not at first, but the issue has potential.
Buddhism brings the important questions of our time as a topic into the consciousness of the people, the teaching of the Indian prince holds all answers ready to go mindfully through life.
The path is the goal!
Difficult to fathom, great in arts, the mind revels in thoughts. Happiness is only for the wise, who keeps it mindfully in bounds.
- 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)
6 Minuten
The walking water bowl meditation
Practicing mindfulness is one of those things. It is not so easy to concentrate on things, and then the cell phone rings, the children need something, the meal is not yet ready, the job is exhausting, the list can be continued forever.
A very good way to train mindfulness is walking water bowl meditation, which by the way can also be used as pure meditation. A plastic bowl is recommended for beginners.
The matter is quickly explained, you put a bowl (lightly) filled with water (comfortably) on your head while standing, straighten it, and then take a few steps, erect and unagitated. One should also "walk" very slowly, in slow motion for instance (compare the general walking meditation), to get a feeling for body, space and time.
Whoever can now go slower and slower, approaches the goal of the matter, the mindfulness becomes immanent, the practitioner merges with the bowl, the water connects (through the equality of the vibrations) with the water in the body.
Somewhat more challenging are the turns, going around the corner or stopping. If you can practice outside, you can go further and further, that is an advantage.
It is quite enough to practice five minutes every day (five days a week), more is of course always good. Also, when doing the walking water bowl meditation, you should be alone, turn off the phone, be completely with yourself. Friends of mine do this meditation every morning in preparation for their ablutions (shower), so they can be connected to the water, and make the most of the time for themselves.
My advice is to at least try to "merge" with the water bowl.
The way is the goal!
He who dwells in meditation lives in righteousness
- 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)
Practicing mindfulness is one of those things. It is not so easy to concentrate on things, and then the cell phone rings, the children need something, the meal is not yet ready, the job is exhausting, the list can be continued forever.
A very good way to train mindfulness is walking water bowl meditation, which by the way can also be used as pure meditation. A plastic bowl is recommended for beginners.
The matter is quickly explained, you put a bowl (lightly) filled with water (comfortably) on your head while standing, straighten it, and then take a few steps, erect and unagitated. One should also "walk" very slowly, in slow motion for instance (compare the general walking meditation), to get a feeling for body, space and time.
Whoever can now go slower and slower, approaches the goal of the matter, the mindfulness becomes immanent, the practitioner merges with the bowl, the water connects (through the equality of the vibrations) with the water in the body.
Somewhat more challenging are the turns, going around the corner or stopping. If you can practice outside, you can go further and further, that is an advantage.
It is quite enough to practice five minutes every day (five days a week), more is of course always good. Also, when doing the walking water bowl meditation, you should be alone, turn off the phone, be completely with yourself. Friends of mine do this meditation every morning in preparation for their ablutions (shower), so they can be connected to the water, and make the most of the time for themselves.
My advice is to at least try to "merge" with the water bowl.
The way is the goal!
He who dwells in meditation lives in righteousness
- 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)
7 Minuten
The power of the word
When I was in a Buddhist temple some time ago a young man came up to me (for privacy reasons here all without details), he told me that because of me he had come here, because of my words (from the app and the podcasts) he now wants to live in a Buddhist temple, will become a monk.
I was perplexed when I was so suddenly confronted with such an immediate consequence of my actions, I had not thought that far ahead, what could come out of my words, I had hardly thought about that until then. But that day, I was very thoughtful, many thoughts stormed through my mind palace. Why am I doing this at all? Do I have any goals here? Where is all this going? What will change for me through this? Questions over questions!
I get a lot of letters, some I answer, some I don't, it depends on whether they "reach" me or just "pass" me by. But to see such a direct impact on a person's life, that is again something completely different than a few letters on a screen.
In this context, I also see the German and the English app, which are both promoted through the same Facebook account. People from all over the world sign up on this account, right now (at the moment) from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, from Thailand. I then browse through their accounts, look at where these people live, scroll through their photos, try to put myself in their shoes (which of course doesn't really work).
It is like a (daily) trip around the world, it is an indescribable feeling, interesting and complex. The Buddha's teaching has taken me around the world several times, now also virtually, that's very nice. Also a very nice reward for all my work, which keeps me quite busy. Choosing topics, writing, formatting and typesetting texts, selecting images, speaking the texts, putting them online, checking them, following them up, it's all grown into a veritable job.
It is all the nicer when "one" gets a compliment from a distant country, a "nice", or a "thumbs up", these are indescribable moments. By the way, here on the website I have deactivated the comments, I don't want my words to be "falsified". Who does not agree by the way, just click away, there are countless websites, not only mine.
I have become more aware of the power of words, the young man has touched me. In the meantime I have taken my (former) "political" texts offline, my word should only give a voice to the Buddha, nothing more.
The way is the goal!
Better than in a thousand songs, because words without meaning wasted, that is a word full of deep meaning, if it gives peace to the listener
- Buddha - "The Enlightened One" - 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)
When I was in a Buddhist temple some time ago a young man came up to me (for privacy reasons here all without details), he told me that because of me he had come here, because of my words (from the app and the podcasts) he now wants to live in a Buddhist temple, will become a monk.
I was perplexed when I was so suddenly confronted with such an immediate consequence of my actions, I had not thought that far ahead, what could come out of my words, I had hardly thought about that until then. But that day, I was very thoughtful, many thoughts stormed through my mind palace. Why am I doing this at all? Do I have any goals here? Where is all this going? What will change for me through this? Questions over questions!
I get a lot of letters, some I answer, some I don't, it depends on whether they "reach" me or just "pass" me by. But to see such a direct impact on a person's life, that is again something completely different than a few letters on a screen.
In this context, I also see the German and the English app, which are both promoted through the same Facebook account. People from all over the world sign up on this account, right now (at the moment) from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, from Thailand. I then browse through their accounts, look at where these people live, scroll through their photos, try to put myself in their shoes (which of course doesn't really work).
It is like a (daily) trip around the world, it is an indescribable feeling, interesting and complex. The Buddha's teaching has taken me around the world several times, now also virtually, that's very nice. Also a very nice reward for all my work, which keeps me quite busy. Choosing topics, writing, formatting and typesetting texts, selecting images, speaking the texts, putting them online, checking them, following them up, it's all grown into a veritable job.
It is all the nicer when "one" gets a compliment from a distant country, a "nice", or a "thumbs up", these are indescribable moments. By the way, here on the website I have deactivated the comments, I don't want my words to be "falsified". Who does not agree by the way, just click away, there are countless websites, not only mine.
I have become more aware of the power of words, the young man has touched me. In the meantime I have taken my (former) "political" texts offline, my word should only give a voice to the Buddha, nothing more.
The way is the goal!
Better than in a thousand songs, because words without meaning wasted, that is a word full of deep meaning, if it gives peace to the listener
- Buddha - "The Enlightened One" - 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)
