Andrew Furst's Blog, page 155

How Do I Avoid Distractions?

Question:  I need to be highly motivated and hardworking for the next 6 months. How do I avoid distractions? Here are some suggestions on how to meet your goals and avoid distractions Set Goals I’d set yourself a lot of short term goals that when met achieve your overall goal. Reward yourself each step along the way. Work […]

The post How Do I Avoid Distractions? appeared first on Andrew Furst.

Silence Is Often The Messenger

There is a way between voice and presence where information flows. In disciplined silence it opens. With wandering talk it closes. -Rumi Wisdom is rarely expressed, and when it is, silence is often the messenger. In practice, silence is like a well collecting water, it succeeds by waiting. Waiting is the practice of opening. When […]

The post Silence Is Often The Messenger appeared first on Andrew Furst.

One Minute Meditation – Layered Clouds

Clearness and Clarity.   In life these things seems to come only with a great deal of effort. The words are from the Latin clarus or claritus for clean. In middle English, clarity meant glory or divine splendor. Today it can mean a quality of coherence and intelligibility, being easy to see or hear,  or refer to purity. Achieving clarity can be a […]

The post One Minute Meditation – Layered Clouds appeared first on Andrew Furst.

Tiny Drops – Fields, Sea, and Fire

Fields, Sea, and Fire Click on images to view the full size slide show. FIVE LIMITLESS THOUGHTS May all living beings have happiness and its causes May all be free from unhappiness and its causes May all dwell in equanimity, free of attraction and aversion May all quickly find the great happiness that lies beyond […]

The post Tiny Drops – Fields, Sea, and Fire appeared first on Andrew Furst.

Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience

Innocence and Experience I had the good fortune to be introduced to William Blake by an incredibly exuberant English professor in the 1980’s at the University of Connecticut. I’ll offer my gratitude thirty years later (better late than never?) I don’t remember his name, but I’ll never forget the urgency with which he tried to impress upon us […]

The post Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience appeared first on Andrew Furst.

Where is the Concept of Anatta in Pure Land Buddhism?

Question: Where is the Concept of Anatta in Pure Land Buddhism? Answer: Anatta (Anatman) – not self – is central to Pure Land Buddhism in that it is the basis for the understanding of “Other Power.” Many Buddhist practices are perceived to be the process of “Self Power.” By this I mean that they are things […]

The post Where is the Concept of Anatta in Pure Land Buddhism? appeared first on Andrew Furst.

An update on Thich Nhat Hanh’s health: 16th November

Sharing this information from Plum Village in France Posted on November 16, 2014 by Plum Village — No Comments ↓   Official Announcement Re: Thay’s health situation Plum Village, 15 November, 2014 To all Plum Village Practice Centers, To all Practice Centers and Sanghas World Wide, To our Dear Beloved Friends, Thầy is now in […]

The post An update on Thich Nhat Hanh’s health: 16th November appeared first on Andrew Furst.

Qigong Video – Dancing With The Ever Changing Universe

A few years ago, Rev. Nathan McElligott filmed two brief qigong videos. They were intended to introduce you to the qigong practices of the now defunct Buddha Heart USA. These practices are still an integral part of what my Sangha practices, so I wanted to republish them. This simple sequence of movements, done on a consistent basis, is […]

The post Qigong Video – Dancing With The Ever Changing Universe appeared first on Andrew Furst.

An Experience of Nature is an Experience of Space and Energy

I’m pleased to share with you this guest post by Jake Karlins, a fellow Buddhist and Northeast Massachusetts resident.  I encourage you to visit and follow his blog Selfless Self Help. He has written a companion piece to this article there.  An Experience of Nature is an Experience of Space and Energy Any experience of nature, as it’s […]

The post An Experience of Nature is an Experience of Space and Energy appeared first on Andrew Furst.

One Minute Meditation – Summer Hail & Thunder

This weeks one minute meditation was filmed in one of those late afternoon heat busting thunderstorms. It was the day before Independence Day.  I had just arrived home from a long ride home in traffic and had just got into the house when the thunder started. Many of these weekly one minute meditations are peaceful nature videos. They […]

The post One Minute Meditation – Summer Hail & Thunder appeared first on Andrew Furst.