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Buddhist Writing Prompt: Remember What’s at Stake

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

Dark Night of the Soul · Mysticism

The Mystic Way 11: Forms of the Dark Night

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

Astro Journal · Mythology

Zodiac Myths: The Story Behind Taurus

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

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Buddhist Writing Prompt: Be Patient Either Way

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

Dark Night of the Soul · Mysticism

The Mystic Way 10: The Dark Night of the Soul

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

Free Your Pen

Buddhist Writing Prompt: Renew Your Commitment Each Day

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

Film & TV · Mythology

Wonder Woman: the Descent and Return of the Goddess

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

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Buddhist Writing Prompt: Remember Your Intention

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

Mysticism

The Mystic Way 9: Voices and Visions

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

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Buddhist Writing Prompt: Have A Single Intention

Have a Single Intention is about remembering why you’re training your mind in meditation and compassion. The original lojong slogan is: All activities should be done with one intention. This intention is what underlies all your feelings, thoughts, and behaviour through the day. No matter what you’re doing, look at what’s going on in the… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Have A Single Intention

Mysticism

The Mystic Way 8: Illuminated Vision of the World

Last time we looked at the illumination of the Absolute on the mystic path. Here we continue the extracts from Evelyn Underhill’s Mysticism and explore the second type of illumination, that of the temporal world: “Closely connected with the sense of the “Presence of God,” or power of perceiving the Absolute, is the complementary mark… Continue reading The Mystic Way 8: Illuminated Vision of the World