Archive for the 'Zen story' Category
Posted by kathavarta on December 2, 2008
“The purpose of meditation is to achieve uninterrupted mindfulness. Mindfulness, and only mindfulness, produces Enlightenment.”
—Gunaratana in Mindfulness in Plain English
People meditate for many reasons. Some do it to lower their blood pressure; others like to see special effects with their eyes closed. Many people do it simply because it makes them feel good.
There is nothing wrong with these motives, but on this article, we are only interested in meditation methods that can help lead to enlightment.
We think all such methods have something in common: all of them are exercises in remaining aware of where your attention is pointing. In other words, they teach you to avoid getting lost in thought. When the exercise becomes automatic, permanent, and effortless, enlightenment may follow.
Note the word permanent: you are supposed to meditate all day while engaged in normal activities. If you want to get enlightened, meditation is not just something you do for half an hour while sitting on a cushion. This can’t be stressed enough: these techniques lead to enlightenment only if they become permanent states of mind. They must become habits.
People sometimes say that practicing a deliberate technique is not meditation. According to them, only an effortlessly alert and quiet state is meditation. Such assertions are confusing. Actually, both things are meditation, because the word meditation has two meanings.
The important point to understand is that meditation in the first sense (deliberate effort) is intended to lead to meditation in the second sense (an effortless state of quiet awareness). It is a two-stage process. (And it is designed to lead to a third stage, the dissolution of the ego.)
Although many types of meditation have been advocated by various schools of Hinduism and Buddhism, this page emphasizes insight methods associated with Theravada Buddhism, and the method of self-enquiry as taught by Ramana Maharshi.
The best book about the first is probably Mindfulness in Plain English, which is on our website here; the best book about the second is probably Be As You Are, which can be purchased here.
Beginning meditators may find it useful to divide meditation methods into two categories, those that stress concentration (holding onto a single thought) and those that stress mindfulness (remaining aware of what the mind is perceiving without getting lost in thought). This conceptual division is associated with Theravada Buddhism and is explained brilliantly in the book The Meditative Mind. The reason we recommend mindfulness techniques is that they automatically develop both concentration and mindfulness. This is not true for concentration techniques: they do not necessarily develop mindfulness.
When the English word “Meditation” is used in the context of Hinduism or Buddhism, as we use it here, it is a translation of the Sanskrit word “Dhyana” or its cognates in other Asian languages: “Jhan” in Pali (the language of the Buddha), “Chan” in Chinese, and “Zen” in Japanese.
This page was published on www.realization.org
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Posted in Hindu story, Katha, Moral story, Religious, Sikhism, Story for Adult, Varta, Zen story | Tagged: Religious, India, Varta, Life, Self-Confidence, Zen, Accuracy, Enlightenment, Meditation, Hindu, Knowledge, Lesson, Religion, Spiritual, Confidence, Light, Dhyana, Concentration | 1 Comment »
Posted by kathavarta on November 13, 2008
Dear KathaVarta visitors, I have already post some article for the Importance of Guru, in this month, I found one another useful article for the same. I hope you wiill enjoy this as well. Hapy Surfing with www.KathaVarta.org
When Lord Narayan was in the midst of creating universe, Goddess Laxmi, His consort was very upset. Lord Narayan saw this and asked her what the reason was. To this She replied that Lord Narayan was creating the universe in which He would crerate human beings and the Karma Department, which would be totally independent of anything. Due to the Karma theory, mankind would only suffer due to their own doings, as Karma is totally an independent theory.
No God or Demi God influences what a human being wants to do and all this would lead to misery and unlimited sorrow and sadness.Since humans are no one else but the children of Lord Narayan/Goddess Laxmi it was all but obvious that a mother would cry if she sees her children in misery. So She wanted the Lord to create some method, which could end the misery of mankind. To this Lord Narayan created the following method:
He said that any human being, no matter whatever bad karma he has done earlier in this birth as well as his previous births—once he accepts a spiritual leader or Guruji (in the disciple succession of guru Parampara),takes naam daan from the Guru and surrenders himself totally to his Guru(Sharnagati)— this person’s sin would be forgiven and forgotten and he would be on the path to Moksha (oneness with the Supreme Lord)
It is very funny that if someone wants to learn music, they look for a good music teacher. If someone wants to learn tennis he looks for a good tennis coach, but when it comes to spiritual life it is basic human nature that he thinks he is good enough on his own and does not need a teacher in this field.
We see around that everything needs a teacher so how on earth we enter the spiritual world without a teacher.That’s why a spiritual teacher or Guru is so important. The scriptures also say that a Guru is not only important, but is essential which means that there is no choice, if one wants to head towards self realization, then one has to have a Guru and there is no allowance to this rule.
LAXMINATH SAMARAMBHA
NATHYA MUNI MADYAMAH
ASMADACHARYA PARYANTA
VANDE GURU PARAMPARA
Lord Krishna himself tells Arjuna that if you want to approach me then approach me through a teacher who himself is self realized and who knows who I am so that He can guide you successfully through this spiritual world and make you one with Me.
Our own Guruji says to have a Guru is so important in life. He further says that we feel Guru Nanikji was himself a Guru so He may not have needed another Guru,but dear friends even Lord Rama ,Lord Krishna everyone needed a Guru to sail across life cycle.
In the Purana we can get the gyan of our Gurus. Guru Nanikji in His Granth starts saluting His past Gurus including Pandit Hardayal Shastri and Bjakt Renu.
Lord Rama had Vashisht Muni as his spiritual teacher and Lord Krishna’s spiritual teacher was Sandipan Muni. So who are we to go through the spirtual world without a teacher or Guru.
To sum it all as Kabirdasji wrote:-
“Ram Krishna se koi bade, jinhone Guru kinh, teen lok taran tarn Guru aage aadheen.”
Source: www.jagatguru.in
Visit www.eTirth.com for more religious information.
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Posted in Hindu story, Jainism, Katha, Moral story, Religious, Sikhism, Story for Adult, Varta, Zen story | Tagged: Accuracy, Advice, Ancient, Ancient peoples, Bhagavad Gita, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhrihaspati, Blessing, Decision, Destroy, Ego, Guru, Happiness, Humanity, Katha, Knowledge, Lesson, Religion, Religious, Teacher, Value, Virtue, Way, Wisdom, Wise, Zen master | 1 Comment »
Posted by kathavarta on August 16, 2008
To a woman who complained about her destiny the Master said, “It is you who make your destiny.”
“But surely I am not responsible for being born a woman?”
“Being born a woman isn’t destiny. That is fate. Destiny is how you accept your womanhood and what you make of it.”
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Posted in Moral story, Story for Adult, Varta, Zen story | Tagged: Advice, Alert, Blame, Compassion, Complaint, Counsel, Destiny, Devotion, Emptiness, Enlightenment, Experience, Fate, Honesty, Moral, Negative, Story for Adult, Truth, Varta, Wisdom | No Comments »
Posted by kathavarta on August 16, 2008
There was a young man who went oversesas to study for quite a long time. When he returned,he asked his parents to find him a religious scholar or any expert who could answer his 3 Questions. Finally his parents were able to find a Monk
Young Man: Who are you? Can you answere my questions?
Monk: I am one of lords messenger and God willing. I will be able to answer your questions.
Young Man: Are you sure? A lot of proffessors and experts were not able to answer my questions.
Scholar: I will try my best with the help of Almighty..
Young Man: I have 3 Questions.
Does God exist?
If so show me What is his shape?
What is fate, why the same creation of god suffer or enjoy life differently?
Suddenly, the monk slapped the young mans face very hard.
Young Man (feeling pain): Why did you get angry with me?
Monk: I am not angry. The slap is my answer to your 3 questions.
Young Man: I REALLY DONT UNDERSTAND.
Monk: How do you feel after I slapped you?
Young Man: Of Course, I felt the pain.
Monk: So do you believe that pain exist?
Young Man: Yes.
Monk: Show me the shape of the pain!
Young Man: I CANNOT.
Monk: That is my anwere for your first 2 questions. All of us feel God’s existence without being able to see his shape.
Monk asking further: Last night, did you dream that you will be slapped by me?
Young Man: No.
Monk: Did you ever think that you will get a slap from me, today?
Young Man: No.
Monk: That is Fate…My hand that I used to slap you, what is it created from?
Young Man: It is created from Flesh.
Monk: How about your face, what is it created from?
Young Man: Flesh.
Monk: How did you feel after I slapped you?
Young Man: In Pain.
Monk: Even though Rich and also the Poor were created from the same flesh, if God wants both the flesh can lead different life style and feel.
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Posted in Moral story, Story for Adult, Varta, Zen story | Tagged: Accuracy, Act, Advice, Affection, Attitude, Confession, Counsel, Emptiness, Enlightenment, Existance, God, Knowledge, Life, Monk, Moral, Story for Adult, Truth, Varta, Wisdom | No Comments »
Posted by kathavarta on August 15, 2008
A 10-year-old boy decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.
The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn’t understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move.
“Sensei,”(Teacher in Japanese) the boy finally said, “Shouldn’t I be learning more moves?” “This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you’ll ever need to know,” the sensei replied.
Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training. Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament.
Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.
This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out.
He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. “No,” the sensei insisted, “Let him continue.” Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament.
He was the champion. On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind.
“Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?”
“You won for two reasons,” the sensei answered. “First, you’ve almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.”
The boy’s biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.
Moral:
Sometimes we feel that we have certain weaknesses and we blame God, the circumstances or ourselves for it but we never know that our weaknesses can become our strengths one day.
Each of us is special and important, so never think you have any weakness, never think of pride or pain, just live your life to its fullest and extract the best out of it!”
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Posted in Moral story, Story for Adult, Varta, Zen story | Tagged: Advice, Alert, Clever, Counsel, Courage, Decision, Devotion, Education, Emptiness, Enlightenment, Experience, Hard work, Moral, Opportunity, Sensei, Story for Adult, Trust, Zen, Zen master, Zen story | No Comments »
Posted by kathavarta on August 13, 2008
It was a cold December night in West Orange, New Jersey. Thomas Edison’s factory was humming with activity. Work was proceeding on a variety of fronts as the great inventor was trying to turn more of his dreams into practical realities. Edison’s plant, made of concrete and steel, was deemed “fireproof”. As you may have already guessed, it wasn’t!
On that frigid night in 1914, the sky was lit up by a sensational blaze that had burst through the plant roof.
Edison’s 24-year-old son, Charles, made a frenzied search for his famous inventor-father. When he finally found him, he was watching the fire.
His white hair was blowing in the wind. His face was illuminated by the leaping flames. “My heart ached for him,” said Charles. “Here he was, 67 years old, and everything he had worked for was going up in flames.
When he saw me, he shouted, ‘Charles! Where’s your mother?’ When I told him I didn’t know, he said, ‘Find her! Bring her here! She’ll never see anything like this as long as she lives.’”
Next morning, Mr. Edison looked at the ruins of his factory and said this of his loss: “There’s value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God, we can start anew.”
What a wonderful perspective on things that seem at first to be so disastrous. A business failure, divorce, personal dream gone sour . . . whether these things destroy an individual depends largely on the attitude he or she takes toward them. Sort out why it happened, and learn something from the blunders. Think of different approaches that can be taken.
Moral:
Start over.
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Posted in Moral story, Story for Adult, Varta, Zen story | Tagged: Accuracy, Act, Affection, Alert, Ancient peoples, Care, Counsel, Courage, Devotion, Education, Emptiness, Enlightenment, Experience, Hard work, Honesty, Moral, Necessity, Story for Adult, Varta, Wisdom, Zen story | No Comments »
