About
…Cosmic Loti and I are currently on a journey of discovery, so the ‘About’ page is likely to be quite fluid…
Tich Nhat Hanh’s Calligraphy
Lotuses are a Buddhist
symbol for waking up
The lotus reminds us that although adversity is inevitable, it doesn’t have to be unfavourable.
We can become strong and beautiful, because we had to grow through the mud.
The lotus is a Buddhist symbol for awakening to the spiritual reality of life.
There’s tons of symbology here. Like, we know the lotus grows in mud. Just as we start off buried in the mud of our worldly concerns. But we can use Buddha’s advice to grow through the mire of ordinary life, and emerge sparkly clean and pure in the sunlight.
“Lotuses grow in mud and flower in the pristine air above.” Gen Chonden
Even the lotus’s leaves are self-cleaning ~ the rain naturally washes the dirt away. And so Dharma revitalizes all areas of our life. The stalk of the lotus is strong, just as we are strengthened by the Dharma… I could go on, but you know? This is a Path to explore, to find out for ourselves the truth of Buddha’s wisdom.
It’s like we’re stood in the mud
reaching for the stars
With the mind-set that it’s just a little stretch – standing on tippy-toes – the sky really is the limit.
“If we identify with our limitations, our failures, we limit ourselves unnecessarily.” (Kadam Morten) Better to start from where we are; and allow our thinking to expand. Buddha’s way of thinking is so very BIG as well.
☆*⋆We’re all born in the heart of a dying star •.¸¸.❤ comes via the completely delectable Professor Brian Cox. It’s an astronomical fact – the elements that make up “every living thing on the planet were produced in the heart of a dying star“. I love that, because from such a cataclysmic collapse come all the wonders of the universe.
It’s a brilliant analogy for the little births and deaths we experience in every day of our lives, isn’t it?
There’s no mud or stars outside the perception of the perceiver
* • .¸
(via thespacetimetraveler)
“Your world is a reflection of your mind. How we experience the world depends upon how we see the world. So if we change our mind we change our world.” (Kadam Morten) In every moment, the world we experience is our choice. This is true on many levels.
That’s why Ghandi’s “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Really does work.
We change our world for ourselves and each other all the time; why not do it consciously, the way we want it.
We’re not separate from the earth or any of the beings that live on it. Buddha taught value of cherishing others;
and Pagans accept the sacredness of all creation and work with its magic. The more you understand how reality works, the more fun you can have with it ;~)
“I prefer to be an unseen silent observer….. Nature I believe.. speaks when you are silent ..and is silent when you speak… “ Janack
¸ . • ☽ * ¨
On here there’s also a few special events on at Akanishta, Cheltenham and Amitabha, Bristol, UK, Both NKT Buddhist centres. There’s also the odd foray into world politics, but it doesn’t last long.
Buddhist with a twist
Mahayana Kadam Buddhism found me when I was an Occupational Therapist in Scotland in ’95. I’ve been a full-on student of it ever since, including 5 years at Manjushri Centre in Cumbria. Highlights were the good fortune of chatting with Geshe la, being on study programmes with the blissful Samten Kelsang, and being on the building team of the first Kadampa Temple.
I find Buddhist teachers from other traditions inspiring, and attend both our local NKT and Triratna Buddhist centres, because I like their different meditation styles.
(Meditation is a healthy addiction :~)
I like the Pagan way of viewing the world.
It is age old and refreshing, and works in close harmony with mother Earth.
Working with natural energies is empowering for all involved.
I love using universal energy, with its potential for healing and spiritual development. I’m a second degree reiki practitioner, and feel grateful to be able to heal people and animals, and send cosmic energy through cyberspace to where it’s needed most.
Now retired with Multiple Sclerosis (epilepsy), I work with the Spiritual & Pastoral Care Team of Bristol Hospital Trust; and use my artistic, geeky side help out with print design.
(¯`v´¯)
`·.¸.·´
¸.·´
(
☻/
/▌
/ \ Free your Mind
Nov 25, 2011 @ 09:49:16
ummm, i’m kinda’ in th dark here… how do you cherish others with a blog!?
LikeLike
Dec 06, 2011 @ 16:49:40
by sharing stuff that you think might help someone somewhere…
LikeLike
Dec 06, 2011 @ 21:55:42
Good advice Luna ~ s’like a hundred billion messages could get to th right people; just because you thought ‘that bit of Dharma might help someone somewhere’
LikeLike
Dec 04, 2011 @ 13:39:20
I think it would be great if you did interviews with kadampas – ordained and lay. Find out about how they integrate dhama into their lives, what are the challenges they face and how they overcome their difficulties!
LikeLike
Dec 04, 2011 @ 18:12:40
Good idea Vide, i’m heading down tomorrow to do the NY publicity and sous-chef for lunch. Will take my reporter’s notepad ;~)
~> * resulting interviews! Conversations with Kadampas
LikeLike
Dec 06, 2011 @ 10:52:34
Sorted! got some good stuff yesterday – will get an article together ASAP!- )
LikeLike
Feb 16, 2012 @ 07:19:32
This info is the cat’s pjaaams!
LikeLike
Feb 16, 2012 @ 08:05:59
Just sharing good teachers and Sangha 🙂
LikeLike
Dec 06, 2011 @ 16:50:58
I’ve been thinking for ages of interviewing Kadampas all over the world doing vastly different things but still practicing Dharma. I just haven’t gotten around to it…!! Maybe we could come up with a plan….?!
LikeLike
Dec 06, 2011 @ 20:20:45
yayy, liking these ideas…
LikeLike
Mar 10, 2012 @ 09:17:03
Well, I’ve been thinking about changing my name to Ike Kadampa! What do you think? I’ve been reading “Heart of Wisdom” for the last few hours and all I am thinking about is the importance of naming things. I have gone through hating my name to loving my name to spending several years in social media trying to brand my name to build up a business from scratch. I finally understand the importance of realizing the importance of not being the name I’ve been obsessed with. If I created a Buddhist blog I would call it “The Emptiness of Ike Kadampa” and each time someone read my blog post and if it was true that it helped them my comment would disappear! Just joking! I am “non-deludedly” proud to be associated with spiritual bloggers like you and Luna. Thanks for including me in your sharing of the Kadampa Dharma we love so much!!
LikeLike
Mar 10, 2012 @ 12:11:14
“Shariputra, know that all phenomena are mere name.” is that right? I’m terrible for paraphrasing. But yes, if you think you qualify, and I think from reading Luna’s blog you probably do, then yes! Do it!! I’ve changed my name a fair bit over the years, and I think that you do grow to fit it. I’ve seen it with ordained sangha too. They seem to grow into their names, tho it takes awhile. Looking forward to reading your blog 😉
Thanks you for your kind and wise comments, I look forwards to reading more of them.
LikeLike
Mar 15, 2012 @ 06:38:58
‘About’ page recently updated. Does it do us justice, d’ya think?…
✿ڿڰۣ(̆̃̃ღAny and all comments always welcome 🙂
LikeLike
Mar 15, 2012 @ 10:54:51
Absolutely love this page – the graphics are lovely and posts inspirational, thank you for creating it and letting us share it with you x
LikeLike
Mar 16, 2012 @ 17:34:07
Awww, thank you ❤
You know there wouldn’t even be a blog without the FB page and all its supporters. We truly are reaching out to the world with Geshe la’s Dharma. It’s wonderful thing to be doing.
LikeLike
Mar 16, 2012 @ 00:05:59
I really like your new About page.
I also still really like the idea of interviewing Kadampas around the world to see how they transform their lives with Dharma in wildly different fields — from trekkers in Brazil to businessmen in New York to actors to mothers to ordained Sangha etc. You’ve gotten started with this, but maybe at the next Festival you could go prepared and interview people, with the right questions to get the interesting answers!
LikeLike
Mar 16, 2012 @ 19:27:10
Brilliant! Cheers Luna ❤
There are more Conversations with Kadampas coming – from earlier this year, all from Europe. I’ve been asking them what their best bit is. Their enthusiasm for the Dharma just shines through.
It’s a challenge for me, I’m normally quite the recluse at festivals ~ avoiding the crowds and hiding under a baseball cap when I do come out for a coffee. But the spiritual path cuts through our comfort zones, doesn’t it. I’ll have to get some proper questions together.
Maybe about using Dharma at work, or how it’s transformed difficult situations for them? What would you ask?
LikeLike
Aug 11, 2012 @ 00:08:55
I enjoy following your blog. I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Blog Award and the One Lovely Blog award. Congratulations!
http://meaningfulwesternlife.com/2012/08/10/2-more-blog-awards-2/
~Wendy, MeaningfulWesternLife.com
LikeLike
Aug 11, 2012 @ 19:24:11
Cool 🙂 Thank you so much for the awards! Most kind of you ❤
LikeLike
Nov 18, 2012 @ 11:25:18
Going to put this artclie to good use now.
LikeLike
Nov 22, 2012 @ 16:01:25
Cheers Chuckles 🙂
LikeLike
Dec 10, 2012 @ 17:34:12
So sorry Wendy ~ that was ages ago! I only knew about a couple of other blogs then, so couldn’t fulfil the award commitments.
The awards are gonna go in a later post now… thanks again.
😀 x
LikeLike
Sep 03, 2012 @ 10:33:25
Thank you so much for this new initiative in communicating the dharma. I’m usually not fond of blogs as I find them time consuming, and often irrelevant, however your first posting hit the spot for me and I’ll look forward with interest to the next ones.
LikeLike
Sep 13, 2012 @ 09:48:10
Thank you for your kind words Angel 🙂
LikeLike
Dec 10, 2012 @ 15:57:10
great blog … thx
LikeLike
Dec 10, 2012 @ 16:06:30
Most kind of you to say so Bert, yours is pretty good too 🙂
LikeLike
Dec 18, 2012 @ 15:44:32
Hi, thanks for visiting and for sharing your thoughts and comments. I hope I write something that interest you in the future and that we will chat again. Peace & Blessings.
LikeLike
Dec 19, 2012 @ 15:09:55
Oh! You’ve deleted the Commonzense blog! I thought it such a clever name as well. Do get it touch when you write something else, I’d be interested to read.
Best wishes David
x
LikeLike
Dec 30, 2012 @ 22:08:29
Hi there, enjoy your blog and wanted to let you know I’ve nominated your blog for The Blog of the Year 2012 Award. Here is the post:
http://meaningfulwesternlife.com/2012/12/30/honored-by-the-blog-of-the-year-2012-award/
Have a wonderful day!
~Wendy
LikeLike
Jan 03, 2013 @ 19:51:54
Thanks again!! I’m saving all these nominations for a special post soon. Your blog’s pretty cool too BTW 🙂
LikeLike
Jan 01, 2013 @ 00:17:47
You chatted with Geshe Kelang Gyatso?! That is wicked. What’s he like? HYN BTW 🙂
LikeLike
Jan 18, 2013 @ 16:15:56
Geshe la’s beautiful, all lightness and bliss. He’s very gentle, but you can feel there’s great power there. His hugs were loving and light, and I remember he smelt like milk and honey.
LikeLike
Feb 27, 2013 @ 22:55:41
OMG. That’s far out man! When did you get to do this stuff? Did you get to ask him many questions? If I met Geshe – La I’d ask him if David Icke’s lizards were really Nagas coz they’re intelligent beings who can shape-shift too you know.
LikeLike
Mar 04, 2013 @ 17:42:20
Yeah, felt special even then (mid – late ’90s). But it would’ve seemed odd to start questioning him about ultimate truth when he’s just having a wander around the temple building site ;~)
You’re right about nagas, they helped the Protector Nagarjuna by taking some holy scriptures back to their realm for safekeeping. I don’t know if there is any connection between them and the Lizzies? It is something I’ve heard before though, and there do seem to be similarities.
LikeLike
Jan 07, 2013 @ 07:09:43
Crisis=Opportunity, Buddhism, Pagan and Reiki… we have quite a few things in common 🙂 I also happen to take a lot of interest in different forms of energy healing systems as well.
Thank you for your likes and comments at my blog, I will be following yours 🙂
Warmly,
Sangeeta
LikeLike
Jan 07, 2013 @ 13:37:01
Yes there is definitely a shared way of viewing our world here 🙂
Connecting with kindred spirits feels so special doesn’t it.
Thanks for the follow ~ think I’ll reciprocate!
LikeLike
Jan 25, 2013 @ 00:09:32
Jas, thank you for stopping and liking yesterday’s post. I am pursuing meditation and some Buddhist philosophy to add more depth to my life. Just learning to stop and breath is so beneficial. I look forward to following your blog.
Take care,
Ivon
LikeLike
Mar 04, 2013 @ 17:49:16
Breathing meditation is amazing, isn’t it? Simple yet profound.
Thanks for the follow, and I hope you’re finding your studies enjoyable 🙂
LikeLike
Mar 05, 2013 @ 01:03:21
You are welcome and I am thank you.
LikeLike
Feb 14, 2013 @ 09:01:25
Hello, nice to meet another Buddhist-Pagan! 🙂
Looking forward to exploring your blog.
Blessings be
LikeLike
Mar 04, 2013 @ 17:41:14
Well met my dear 🙂 I enjoyed exploring your blog today! Blessings be.
LikeLike
May 22, 2013 @ 03:22:16
Thanks for finding my blog. It’s lovely to meet you. I look forward to reading more here. I have 1st degree reiki and keep thinking about doing more with that. Exploring what to do next..:) I love finding truth in different places. Like the twist and the feel of your blog.
Much love-
Laurie
LikeLike
May 22, 2013 @ 12:32:04
Thank you Laurie, it was lovely to find your blog too.
Reiki’s amazing! I love that flow of energy and the surge of natural healing felt by yourself and the client. Feels like pure love.
All the best on your explorations 🙂
LikeLike
May 23, 2013 @ 09:05:40
Thank you.
Much love to you-
LikeLike
May 23, 2013 @ 14:15:32
_/\_
LikeLike
Aug 10, 2013 @ 08:13:25
Beautiful page. Namaste 🙂
LikeLike
Aug 12, 2013 @ 13:40:46
Thank you _(*)_
LikeLike
Feb 16, 2014 @ 08:20:55
Your story inspires me. Your blog radiates peace.
Lotus for you!
Cheers 🙂
LikeLike
Feb 17, 2014 @ 16:26:38
Many thanks Dilip ♡
A lotus for you too, oh Buddha to be.
LikeLike
Feb 17, 2014 @ 16:29:57
Gracious of you! Be blessed.
LikeLike
Feb 19, 2014 @ 13:10:10
_/\_
LikeLike