Jessica Davidson's Blog, page 44
July 22, 2017
Buddhist Writing Prompt: Your Problems Are Your Gifts
Your problems are your gifts is about working with your problems rather than trying to get rid of them or avoid them. It builds on the previous slogan and the practice of tonglen in order to transform suffering into happiness. The original lojong slogan is: Three objects, three poisons, and three seeds of virtue, which… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Your Problems Are Your Gifts
July 17, 2017
The Handless Maiden part 6: Wandering and Waiting
Our story continues: the queen with silver hands has given birth, but all is not well… The queen and her son were no longer safe in the castle, and so, with the baby bound to her breast, the queen bid farewell to the king’s mother. Weeping, she left the castle and returned to the forest.… Continue reading The Handless Maiden part 6: Wandering and Waiting
July 15, 2017
Buddhist Writing Prompt: Practice Sending and Receiving
Practice sending and receiving is the instruction for practising tonglen meditation where you’re encouraged to move towards pain and suffering with an open and compassionate heart in order to heal. The original lojong slogan is: Sending and taking should be practised alternately. These two should ride the breath. Sending and taking, or receiving, refers to… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Practice Sending and Receiving
July 10, 2017
The Handless Maiden part 5: The Devil Returns
Our story continues: the maiden has become a queen with silver hands… The queen stayed in the castle and the king lavished her with love and care. But in time, he had to leave to wage war in a distant land. Before he left, the king asked his mother to take care of the queen,… Continue reading The Handless Maiden part 5: The Devil Returns
July 8, 2017
Buddhist Writing Prompt: Play in the Dream
Play in the dream reminds you to apply what you learn while meditating to the rest of your life. Mind training isn’t just about meditation; the idea is to put what you learn to practical use in order to make life better for yourself and others. The original lojong slogan is: In post-meditation, be a… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Play in the Dream
July 3, 2017
The Handless Maiden part 4: Love in the Underworld
Our story continues: the maiden has found her way to the king’s orchard… The next day, the king was walking in his garden, counting his pears, for he knew exactly how many were on each tree, when he realised that one was missing. He called the gardener and questioned him. The gardener explained to the… Continue reading The Handless Maiden part 4: Love in the Underworld
July 1, 2017
Buddhist Writing Prompt: Rest in Beginner’s Mind
Rest in Beginner’s Mind is about letting go of all thoughts and resting in the open space of your awareness. Recognise that you’re always at the beginning of the journey into the unknown and embrace not knowing. To create anything you must take a leap into the unknown which can be scary. Your mind starts… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Rest in Beginner’s Mind
June 26, 2017
The Handless Maiden part 3: Entering the Forest
Our story continues: the deal has been made and the maiden has lost her hands… The devil retreated to the forest and the maiden’s parents did their best to care for their daughter. Her father begged her to stay, promising to provide everything she could ever want or need, but she refused. She had her… Continue reading The Handless Maiden part 3: Entering the Forest
June 24, 2017
Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Hold on to Your Stories
Don’t Hold on to Your Stories is about not holding on to your ideas about reality or yourself. Don’t turn the stories you tell yourself about who you think you are into a solid identity. They’re just thoughts in your mind. Negative stories can hold you back in your writing, so this slogan reminds you… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Hold on to Your Stories
June 19, 2017
The Handless Maiden part 2: Dismemberment
Our story continues: the deal has been made and three years have passed… At last, the dreadful day arrived when the devil would come to claim his payment: the maiden. That morning, the girl washed and drew a circle around herself with chalk. The devil appeared, but couldn’t come near her. Furious, he demanded she… Continue reading The Handless Maiden part 2: Dismemberment
