Train in the three difficulties is about dealing with your bad habits and difficult emotions. The original lojong slogan is the same and refers to the difficulties of breaking free of the behaviour that holds you back. The three difficulties are the three ways your habits can cause you problems. First is the difficulty of… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Train in the Three Difficulties
Last time we looked at some of the forms of the Dark Night of the Soul. Here we continue the extracts from Evelyn Underhill’s Mysticism to explore the final and most challenging step of the dark night, that of the death of the self: “The various torments and desolations of the Dark Night constitute this… Continue reading The Mystic Way 12: Ego Death in the Dark Night
A perfect example of Taurus on film can be found in Chocolat, a light-hearted fable that makes your mouth water just watching it. Like all good films, it’s about many things: religious belief v atheism, feminism, inclusion, temptation, and what it means to live a good life. It’s a tale of freedom and longing, forgiveness… Continue reading Chocolat: Healing the Past and Making Life Sweeter
Remember what’s at stake is about walking your talk and remembering to focus on what matters to you most. In the context of this teaching, that’s your intention to wake up and help others. The original lojong slogan is: Observe these two, even at the risk of your life, the two being the refuge and… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Remember What’s at Stake
Last time we introduced the fourth phase of the Mystic Way, that of the Dark Night of the Soul. Here we continue the extracts from Evelyn Underhill’s Mysticism to explore some of the forms which the dark night can take during this process of the purification of the self: “(A) To those temperaments in which… Continue reading The Mystic Way 11: Forms of the Dark Night
After the excitement and energy of Aries, we come down to earth with Taurus. As a fixed earth sign, Taurus provides the physical container for the unborn potential of Aries to manifest. It stabilises and grounds the creative spark in the present moment, burrowing deep into the soil of life. The Taurus bull is a… Continue reading Zodiac Myths: The Story Behind Taurus
Be patient either way is about accepting reality as it is and being patient no matter what happens in your life. The original lojong slogan is: Whichever of the two occurs, be patient, so whether things go well or badly, you should accept them as they are and be patient. When things go wrong it… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Be Patient Either Way
Last time we looked at the experience of Voices and Visions. Here we continue the extracts from Evelyn Underhill’s Mysticism to explore the fourth phase of the Mystic Way, as outlined in part 1. This phase marks the final and complete purification of the Self, often called the Dark Night of the Soul: “The most… Continue reading The Mystic Way 10: The Dark Night of the Soul
Renew Your Commitment Each Day is about making an intention to be present and to do your best to help others. The original lojong slogan is: Two activities: one at the beginning, one at the end, which asks you to make this dedication at the start of the day, and then again at the end.… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Renew Your Commitment Each Day
In the post on Aries Myths we met the Sumerian battle goddess Inanna: a fertility goddess and force of nature with roots that extend back into prehistory. She’s not a figure you would expect to pop up in a Hollywood movie, but then along came Wonder Woman. Unlike many superhero movies, it isn’t afflicted with… Continue reading Wonder Woman: the Descent and Return of the Goddess
Remember Your Intention follows from the previous slogan and asks you to remember to be present and to let go of your ego. The original lojong slogan is: Correct all wrongs with one intention – the ‘wrongs’ being when you fail to live up to your intention to wake up or when you feel stuck… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Remember Your Intention
Last time we looked at the illumination of the world on the mystic path. Here we continue the extracts from Evelyn Underhill’s Mysticism and explore the third type of illumination, which is often misunderstood – even by mystics themselves – but especially by others: “We now come to that eternal battle-ground, the detailed discussion of… Continue reading The Mystic Way 9: Voices and Visions
Jessica Davidson 