Last time we looked at how the Self is purified through mortification after awakening. Here we continue with the extracts from Evelyn Underhill’s Mysticism to introduce the third phase of the mystic path: “In illumination we come to that state of consciousness which is popularly supposed to be peculiar to the mystic: a form of… Continue reading The Mystic Way 6: Illumination of the Self
Last time we looked at how to imagine different futures, so now we need to bring it down to earth and actually put some of these ideas into practice. There’s no point reading a book like Active Hope and then not doing anything – the clue is in the title, after all! When Saturn moved… Continue reading Active Hope and How You Can Change the World (Yes, You!)
Don’t Be Sneaky is about being honest with yourself about your real motives and not doing things just to get something out of it for yourself. The original lojong slogan is: Don’t act with a twist. When you act with a twist you have an ulterior motive. The ego does this because it feels insecure… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Be Sneaky
Last time we looked at the process of purification through detachment. Here we continue the extracts from Evelyn Underhill’s Mysticism with a closer look at the process of purification through mortification and the adjustment of the character of the mystic to bring the self closer to God: “By mortification, I have said, is to be… Continue reading The Mystic Way 5: Purification of the Self – Mortification
In the last post we looked at time and our need to slow down and be more present. This is especially important if we want to create a more positive future for ourselves. When you step into the eternal Now, you tap into a larger perspective of reality that helps you to get more done.… Continue reading Active Hope and Imagining a New Future
Don’t Compete With Others is about remembering that life isn’t a race. You don’t have to be the first or the best, and you don’t have to compete to win. The original lojong slogan is: Don’t try to be the fastest. Life seems to be getting faster and faster every day. Competitiveness is built-in to… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Compete With Others
Last time we introduced the second phase of the path and the need for purification of the Self. Here we continue the extracts from Evelyn Underhill’s Mysticism with a closer look at the process of purification through detachment and the stripping of any aspect of the self that stands between the mystic and realisation of… Continue reading The Mystic Way 4: Purification of the Self – Detachment
Last time we looked at loneliness and the power of community and our need to reconnect with each other. One of the things that makes that more difficult is our relationship to time. It seems to move faster each year and we’re so focused on getting a million things done that we don’t have time… Continue reading Active Hope and How to Travel in Time
Don’t Pass the Buck is about taking responsibility for the commitments you have made to yourself and others, and not passing the buck onto somebody else. The original lojong slogan is: Don’t transfer the ox’s load to the cow, in other words, don’t transfer your load onto others. It’s written like this because the ox… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Pass the Buck
Last time we looked at how the mystic enters onto the path through the awakening of the Self using extracts from Evelyn Underhill’s Mysticism. Here we continue to explore the mystical process in the second phase of the path: “Here then, stands the newly awakened self: aware, for the first time, of reality, responding to… Continue reading The Mystic Way 3: Purification of the Self
Last time we looked at our need to develop a new kind of power that brings people together rather than putting them in conflict. This is especially important now because we’re suffering from an epidemic of loneliness, if you believe the internet. Many are keen to blame social networking, but it might not be that… Continue reading Active Hope and the Power of Community
Don’t Make Things Painful is about not making a bad situation worse by dwelling on it in a negative way. Molehills don’t have to be mountains in your mind. The original lojong slogan is: Don’t bring things to a painful point, and follows naturally from the previous one about not holding a grudge. Everybody worries… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Make Things Painful
Jessica Davidson 