8 Feb 15

I was reading a little book called Sit Like A Buddha by Lodro Rinser.  It is a small pocket sized, softcover book of less than 100 pages....but it is powerful!  It's essential purpose is to introduce ordinary people (folks who are looking for their Buddha within) how to meditate.

I have several books on this and "sitting meditation" is one of the most difficult practices I have ever been able to master. I sometimes laugh because I often find myself "sitting" while ending up thinking about whether or not I am sitting "correctly."  Kinda misses the whole point right?

I am merely a sojourner on this path and have nothing to offer anyone about sitting other than I want to develop my practice because there is far too much stress in my life.....in everyone's life.  I want to truly find the inner Buddha within myself.

Rinser says:"Another way to consider this innate state of awakeness is that we are basically good.  Basic goodness is a term that is often used in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition.  It denotes that the more familiar we are with our wakefulness the more we realize that we are basically kind, strong and wise.  In some religious traditions there is a belief that you are originally bad, or basically sinful.  This is a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn away from that.  At our core we are awake and good.  That is our birthright."

What a refreshing thought!  We are all innately good, kind and wise....and this inspires me to say that one of the few things we must add to this recipe is humility and and outward and ongoing demonstration of kindness toward others.

One of the finest authors I have ever read is Lama Surya Das.  Quite simply put he speaks Buddanese in English.  (yeah, I know that's not a word but it seemed like a good idea at the time.)  Lama Das provides very good spiritual guidance that transcends all religions so that anyone of any faith can gain additional insight into themselves....and that is the true core of Buddhism.

There are other Buddhist Masters we can learn from too.  Those wishing a deeper yet Western -Friendly book should try Innate Happiness by Khenpo Drimed Dawa, a householder within the Awam Tibetan Buddhist Institute located in Tucson, Arizona.  (Weekly Sangha services are held on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. MST and their website is located at http://www.awaminstitute.org  and Khenpo has an excellent introduction to the Awam Tibetan Institute online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRhbQtfc2QA .

Remember, we are all merely sojourners in this life.  We all have a Buddha inside of us just waiting to get out.  If you wish to learn more look up one of the two Masters I have listed above.  Both are truly geniuses at bringing the Eastern practice of Buddhist into the West where it is so badly needed.

Om Mani Padme Hung Hri

Em Ma Ho!

John