The Great Doubt and Getting Over Yourself

28/04/202521/04/2025 Jessica Davidson2 Comments

Last week I shared my notes on an essay by David Loy on Avoiding the Void and how to overcome the false self in spiritual practice. This involves letting go of the effort to be someone and surrendering to your true nature as one with the divine. It’s easy enough to write about but actually… Continue reading The Great Doubt and Getting Over Yourself

Overcoming Existential Anxiety and the False Self

21/04/202528/04/2025 Jessica DavidsonLeave a comment

As part of my exploration of Neptune in Aries I’ve been digging through my notebooks for inspiration and found some ramblings that relate to the challenge of non-action that we explored last time. The notes came out of my research into how to cure the sense of lack that drives Pluto in Virgo and humanity… Continue reading Overcoming Existential Anxiety and the False Self

Astro Journal · Buddhism

Neptune in Aries and the Challenge of Non-Action

07/04/202513/08/2025 Jessica Davidson1 Comment

We’ve been exploring the meaning of Neptune in Aries and I found some notes on will and intention lurking in my drafts folder that seem relevant. Aries is ruled by Mars, the planet of action and willpower and while Neptune is there, we may be challenged to spiritualise the way we act by learning about… Continue reading Neptune in Aries and the Challenge of Non-Action

Buddhism · Spirituality

Mystic Warrior Practice – Mind

27/01/202003/02/2020 Jessica Davidson6 Comments

Last time we looked at practices for the emotions and how to deal with negative conditioning that stops you from recognising your true Self. Your emotions get caught up in the stories you tell about yourself and your thoughts fan the flames, often making things worse. So in this post, we’ll explore how to untangle… Continue reading Mystic Warrior Practice – Mind

Buddhism · Free Your Pen · Writing

Abandon Hope and other crazy advice

27/02/201720/02/2018 Jessica Davidson6 Comments

Today I’m celebrating the release of my latest book, Free Your Pen: Mind Training for Writers. It’s been a long and convoluted journey, and for a while I thought this day would never arrive. I wanted to write the book for years. Life had other ideas, as life usually does. But the book is here,… Continue reading Abandon Hope and other crazy advice

Apocalypse · Buddhism

A Prophecy for Our Time: Shambhala Warrior Prophecy

30/01/201726/06/2020 Jessica DavidsonVideo5 Comments

This prophecy is about the rise of the Bodhisattva, or Spiritual Warrior – a person of great courage who fights with compassion and insight. All of us are potential spiritual warriors. Joanna Macy tells the tale beautifully in this inspiring video and shows what it takes to be a Bodhisattva today…

“There comes a time when all life on earth is in danger. At that time, great powers have arisen – barbarian powers. And although they waste their wealth in preparation to annihilate each other, they have much in common…”

Buddhism

Don’t Believe Everything You Read

23/01/201726/06/2020 Jessica Davidson2 Comments

Here’s a timely reminder to not get caught up in the propaganda free-for-all that seems to have replaced online and broadcast news media. Truth is never an easy thing to discern, and even harder to act on sometimes. But there is a way. The Kalama Sutra – you’ll have seen it all over the internet… Continue reading Don’t Believe Everything You Read

Buddhism

The Eightfold Path: Right Concentration

30/09/201611/12/2016 Jessica DavidsonLeave a comment

Right Concentration is the final practice of Mental Discipline on the Eightfold Path and is about disciplining the mind to see reality as it is. It’s also known as Right Meditation or Samadhi, and is the practice of focusing your mind on one thing until you’ve reached meditative absorption or jhana. Samadhi means concentration, and… Continue reading The Eightfold Path: Right Concentration

Buddhism

The Eightfold Path: Right Mindfulness

28/09/201612/12/2016 Jessica DavidsonLeave a comment

Right Mindfulness is the second practice in Mental Discipline on the Eightfold Path and involves being aware of the present moment with a clear focus. Right Mindfulness is the heart of Buddhist practice and applies across the whole Eightfold Path. When you’re mindful, your thinking is Right Thought, your speech is Right Speech, your actions… Continue reading The Eightfold Path: Right Mindfulness

Buddhism

The Eightfold Path: Right Effort

26/09/201612/12/2016 Jessica DavidsonLeave a comment

Right Effort is the first practice in Mental Discipline on the Eightfold Path and is also known as Right Diligence. This practice supports all the others because it gives you the energy to keep practising, even through difficulties. It involves cultivating a positive attitude and cheerful determination on your quest for freedom from suffering. Right… Continue reading The Eightfold Path: Right Effort

Buddhism

The Eightfold Path: Right Livelihood

23/09/201611/12/2016 Jessica Davidson1 Comment

Right Livelihood is the final practice in Ethical Conduct on the Eightfold Path and is about how you earn a living and take responsibility for your choices. The ideal is to earn a living without going against the principles of love and compassion, and to do work that expresses the truth of your deepest Self.… Continue reading The Eightfold Path: Right Livelihood

Buddhism

The Eightfold Path: Right Action

21/09/201612/12/2016 Jessica Davidson3 Comments

Right Action is the second Ethical Conduct practice on the Eightfold Path and is about acting appropriately in every situation. It builds on all the other practices and can only work if you’re mindful of your true intentions. If you watch your thoughts and develop the right understanding of yourself and reality, your actions shouldn’t… Continue reading The Eightfold Path: Right Action