Last time we looked at the spiral of transformation and how we can become more resilient during a crisis. It may be surprising, but this process always begins with gratitude. In fact, if the news and miscellaneous madness of the world is getting you down, this is one guaranteed way to cheer yourself up. Gratitude… Continue reading Active Hope and the Benefits of Gratitude
Don’t Poison Yourself is about not feeding your ego with negative or positive reinforcement, because it will feast on whatever you focus your mind on. The original lojong slogan is: Abandon poisonous food, which means looking at how you nourish yourself, not just in terms of the food you eat, but on every level: physical,… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Poison Yourself
Last time we introduced the idea of Active Hope and the stories that shape our society. The old myths are failing and the new ones are still being shaped, so we find ourselves poised between worlds – lost, confused, and a little freaked out. It’s hard to keep up with the pace of change or… Continue reading Active Hope and the Spiral of Transformation
Abandon Hope is about not being attached to the outcome of whatever you’re doing. You might succeed or fail but focusing on either possibility takes you out of the present moment which is the only time in which you can act. The original lojong slogan is: Abandon any hope of fruition, which means letting go… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Abandon Hope
It might not feel like it, but we’re a lucky bunch. We’re living at a time of great upheaval and confusion when everything we’ve known is crumbling under our feet. Why is this lucky? Because we’re the ones who get to decide how things turn out. It’s the choices we make today that will determine… Continue reading Active Hope and the Spiritual Revolution: Stories of Our Time
Work with your biggest problems first is about getting to the heart of whatever holds you back and dealing with that first. Don’t waste time worrying about minor upsets because they’ll heal themselves if you deal with the root of the problem, the thing that never goes away and never seems to get better. The… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Work With Your Biggest Problems First
Last time we looked at the third characteristic of mystical love. In part five, we continue the extracts from Mysticism by Evelyn Underhill, and explore the final characteristic: the need for selfless devotion to a profound inner transformation. Extract: “(4) Mysticism entails a definite Psychological Experience. “That is to say, it shows itself not merely… Continue reading Characteristics of Mysticism, Part 5: Inner Transformation
Don’t ponder others is about not making assumptions about what you think might be going on inside another person’s head. There’s usually more going on than you can perceive or understand. The original lojong slogan is the same and it follows from the previous slogan about not criticising others. You can never know the motivations… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Ponder Others
Last time we looked at the practical spiritual activity of mysticism in the first two characteristics. In part four, we continue the extracts from Mysticism by Evelyn Underhill, and explore the third characteristic: the importance of Love. Extract: “(3) The business and method of Mysticism is Love. “Here is one of the distinctive notes of… Continue reading Characteristics of Mysticism, Part 4: Method of Love
The coming year will feel very different to the craziness of 2017. Things are going to come down to earth and get serious – and about time too! We move out of the bluster and chaos of fire into the slower vibrations of earth and water. Change and transformation will continue to unfold, but it’ll… Continue reading The Astrological Year Ahead: 2018
Don’t criticise is about not criticising others in order to feel better about yourself. Accept people as they are, warts and all, and remember that you’re not perfect either. The original lojong slogan is: Don’t talk about injured limbs which asks you to notice those moments when you subtly, or not so subtly, judge others… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Criticize
Last time we looked at the difficulties mystics have expressing their experiences, and introduced the four characteristics of mysticism. In part three of our extracts from Mysticism by Evelyn Underhill, she goes into more detail about the first two characteristics. Extract: “(1) Mysticism is practical, not theoretical. “This statement, taken alone, is not, of course,… Continue reading Characteristics of Mysticism, Part 3: Practical Spiritual Activity
Jessica Davidson 