Buddhism

Ox Herding Pictures: Catching the Ox

15/10/201508/12/2016 Jessica DavidsonLeave a comment

He must tightly grasp the rope and not let it go, for the Ox still has unhealthy tendencies. Now it charges up to the highlands Now it loiters in a misty ravine. This stage of the path is all about discipline. You’ve finally discovered the truth about your Buddha Nature. It’s been hidden inside you… Continue reading Ox Herding Pictures: Catching the Ox

Buddhism

Ox Herding Pictures: First Glimpse of the Ox

12/10/201508/12/2016 Jessica DavidsonLeave a comment

A nightingale warbles on a twig, the sun shines on undulating willows. There stands the Ox, where could it hide? That splendid head, those stately horns, what artist could portray them? This is where you get a glimpse of the truth you’re seeking. It isn’t full enlightenment because you only see the tail of the… Continue reading Ox Herding Pictures: First Glimpse of the Ox

Buddhism

Ox Herding Pictures: Finding the Tracks

08/10/201508/12/2016 Jessica DavidsonLeave a comment

Innumerable footprints has he seen in the forest and along the water’s edge. Over yonder does he see the trampled grass? Even the deepest gorges of the topmost mountains can’t hide this Ox’s nose which reaches right to heaven. By asking the right questions you begin to sense there might be more to life than you… Continue reading Ox Herding Pictures: Finding the Tracks

Buddhism

Ox Herding Pictures: Seeking the Ox

05/10/201508/12/2016 Jessica Davidson5 Comments

Desolate through forests and fearful in jungles, he is seeking an Ox which he does not find. Up and down dark, nameless, wide-flowing rivers, in deep mountain thickets he treads many bypaths. Bone-tired, heart-weary, he carries on his search for this something which he yet cannot find. At evening he hears cicadas chirping in the… Continue reading Ox Herding Pictures: Seeking the Ox

Buddhism

Zen Ox Herding Pictures: Introduction

02/10/201508/12/2016 Jessica Davidson5 Comments

The ox herding pictures represent the process of awakening as described in Zen Buddhism. Each image is a metaphor that reveals the internal stages of meditation – how awakening looks from the inside. In this series we’ll look at each picture and explore what they mean, but first a bit of background. The original drawings… Continue reading Zen Ox Herding Pictures: Introduction

Awakening

It Starts Now

17/08/201526/06/2020 Jessica DavidsonVideo3 Comments

I’ve shared this fantastic video from Alan Watts before, but it bears repeating as a little reminder of a basic truth: you can’t blame others for the world you’re living in. Wake up and remember who you are!

Awakening

Shadow and Light Source Both

30/07/201526/06/2020 Jessica Davidson3 Comments

How does a part of the world leave the world? How does wetness leave water? Don’t try to put out fire by throwing on more fire! Don’t wash a wound with blood. No matter how fast you run, your shadow keeps up. Sometimes it’s in front! Only full overhead sun diminishes your shadow. But that… Continue reading Shadow and Light Source Both

Mythology · Psychology

Sympathy for the Devil: the Nature of Evil

08/06/201506/02/2025 Jessica DavidsonLeave a comment

Where there is light, there is darkness, but hidden within the dark are the seeds of creation and the key to finding the light. In the last two posts we met the predator and discovered how he works in the story of Bluebeard. It’s time to get our hands dirty and jump into the viper’s… Continue reading Sympathy for the Devil: the Nature of Evil

Mythology · Psychology

Surviving Bluebeard: How to Deal with the Predator

01/06/201524/02/2022 Jessica Davidson5 Comments

“What hurts you, blesses you. Darkness is your candle.” – Rumi We’re on a quest to discover more about the murky depths of the mind and our worst enemy. In Going Dark we met the predator. Now we’ll dig a little deeper using the story of Bluebeard to learn how he operates and what we… Continue reading Surviving Bluebeard: How to Deal with the Predator

Mythology · Psychology

Going Dark: Stalking the Predator

25/05/201524/02/2022 Jessica Davidson7 Comments

“One does not become conscious by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” – CG Jung There’s a demonic creature that stalks us through our nightmares. He targets the innocent and the hopeful. He squats in the dark, hidden until he attacks. He wants to destroy us, to stop us from growing… Continue reading Going Dark: Stalking the Predator

Dark Night of the Soul · Dharma Diary

Shadow Attack: Instant Karma & a Wake-up Call

11/05/201524/02/2022 Jessica Davidson34 Comments

Awakening is a tricky business. Pre-satori, I believed that if I could see clearly, all my problems would be solved and I’d live happily ever after. My hang-ups and fears would magically dissolve and I would be free. Ha! It’s a little more complicated than that. To grow on the spiritual path you must become whole,… Continue reading Shadow Attack: Instant Karma & a Wake-up Call

Awakening · Psychology

Evolution of Consciousness: The Growing Edge

04/05/201524/02/2022 Jessica Davidson2 Comments

We’ve already explored how consciousness evolves from birth into a fully mature ego, plus some of the problems encountered on the way. To finish, we’ll look at where we can go next. Assuming all has gone well and we don’t have too many hang-ups or kinks in our development, it should be possible to evolve… Continue reading Evolution of Consciousness: The Growing Edge