Dharma Punx Discussion discussion

Good to be here Elyssa. I will fill in the blanks of the Western Hermetic Traditon. I've added some books already.

As above, so below...

thanks for the book suggestions Fred.

i'm going to add them to my reading list fo sho.

nameste.

My top three Zen/Practice/Work books:

Everyday Zen by Joko Beck
The Unfolding Now by AH Almaas
And the third... mmm, I got to think about that. I'll get back.

I am looking for something serious.
Something that deals really well with the subject of practicing meditation, the way, mindfulness etc and being a caretaker for someone with a rapid onset brain disease.

Any quotes/koans on this subject greatly appropriated too.

Sorry kinda heavy but there it is.

Hello Group

P_Racemosa I am not sure what book would be good for you. Peace to you and the person you are caring for.

My favourite books so far are:

Mastering the Core teachings of Buddha by Daniel Ingram
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41...

The Heart of Buddha's teachings by Thich Nhat Hanh
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20...

The Dhammapada: Verses on the Way
by Gautama Buddha, Glenn Wallis

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...

Currently Reading Enlightenment in Dogen's Kitchen by Tai Sheridan

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14...

I also want to read the lamp to enlightenment.

-Peace

Scott aka Sonicgrass

Greetings and Salutations _/\_
I have already added to this discussion, but feel compelled to reply to P_Racemosa, there are a LOT of books that could and are very Useful and go Directly to the Heart of the matter.
I sounds like you're dealing with a lot, including "existential angst."
Feel free to contact me and ask me anything, I've been practicing for over 20 years and teaching the Dharma for over 15 years.

Intuitively, the book that came to mind when I read your reply was "Start Where You Are" by Pema Chodron, although logically when I think about what you've asked and why, I think of another Pema Chodron book called "When Things Fall Apart"

I have no lineage or teaching connection to Pema, I simply had these two books come to mind when I read your comment. I have a lot of others I highly recommend for Practicing Buddhism, and some that are better books for Instructions on the Buddhist Path (Such as "A Guide to the Buddhist Path" by Sangharakshita. Also the book mentioned above by Thich Nhat Hanh; "The Heart of Buddha's Teaching" is a good introduction to the Buddhist Lifestyle.
Lastly, and just ,y opinion, that there's no Better Subject or Question that one could as, or Why one would ask, as the ones that you have, and how you have done so. This Lifestyle, This Path is ALL ABOUT Life & Death, Compassion, and being of service. Buddhism is Not a philosophical discussion, it is a Whole Lifestyle, and Path to Liberation. Dharmamitra.Jeff@Gmail.Com if you want to email me, or look me up on FB or ANY Social Network. I teach and Blog and make instructional videos, none of which costs anyone a penny, not ever, no gimmicks, no BS, no hype, just my experience and Insight which has been accessed via following the 3-Jewels: Buddha, Dharma/Dhamma and Sangha. Metta and Mindfulness to You and ALL! _/\_
~Dharmamitra Jeff Stefani

Hey,

I practice yoga, and subsequently have gained interest in Hinduism. Asanas (Focusing of the body) daily, and read sutras. Ill progress towards pranayama (focus of the breath), then pratyhara (contemplation of the senses, then Dharana (focusing of the mind), then focus on the sense of self (Dhyana, then Samprajnata(meditation on consciousness), finally, Asamprajnata (abiding in consciousness...

that said, I have learned the virtue of non-materialism from yoga.( yay! finally!) Material wealth creates a lack of focus in our prana, which is detrimental to meditation, and then moksha. That is, the distribution of ones prana into material objects, including one's own (or anothers) body will lead to suffering (ive been there) So that might interest somebody.

I am also interested in exploring modes of communication. ie: singing/dancing/drummin and music, speech, written word, mathematics...

how we communicate defines our state of mind.

If you have ever thought about this give me a shout.

Im reading:

The Way of Zen

Ashtanga Yoga : Practice and Philosophy

Im not a pusher. don't treat me like one.

cheers

P_Racemosa wrote: "I am looking for something serious.
Something that deals really well with the subject of practicing meditation, the way, mindfulness etc and being a caretaker for someone with a rapid onset brain ..."

Patanjali's Yoga Sutras