Author: Ian

There Is No Tree To start… Light hits the retina (a light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye), special cells called photoreceptors turn the light into electrical signals. These electrical signals travel from the retina through the optic nerve to the brain. Then the brain turns the signals it received into an […]

The Master Mumon Ekai said, “Buddhism makes mind its foundation and no-gate its gate. Now, how do you pass through this no-gate? It is said that things coming in through the gate can never be your own treasures. What is gained from external circumstances will perish in the end. However, such a saying is already […]

by zen master e → Click here to skip the intro and jump right into the actual Buddhist Pranayama practice → Click here for the Simple Condensed Buddhist Pranayama Instructions The Buddha taught Pranayama which involves breathing and mindstate modifications and manipulations that infuse the yogi and yogini with energy and wellbeing. He learned these […]

The Seven Factors of Awakening Say aloud daily: Just for today… May I be mindfully aware throughout the day May I attain deep and penetrating wisdom that sees clearly and knows the truth of the way things are May I be energetic, persistent and strive diligently along the way and endure any hardships that may […]

Sure there’s core teachings and practices within every tradition but the Buddha showed us that we’re each a little bit different. That’s why they say he taught 84,000 different types of teachings. He tried to give each person the right kind of medicine for them. This includes the types of practices that he offered to […]

YOUR MIND MEAL – ATHA(Essential practice) “Do you have a Koan?” that was the first question my teacher Zen Master, Venerable Hwasun Yangil Sunim asked me. I had heard about Koans before – mainly from books and didn’t really think they were essential for Zen practice. But here I was, sitting in front of an […]

The great light of illumination by zen master e In the sky light expanse of mindYou blaze with splendour and lightSoft easeful wisdom emanating infinite blessingsGiving riseTo all the vehicles and teachingsSo that all beings may come hereTo this timeless momentAnd realize they have never leftWherebyWe all sing the praisesOf the one lightInfinite expanse which […]

On No-Mind: In one fascicle by Bodhidharma(T85n2831 translated by Urs App, in The Eastern Buddhist, Vol. 28, No. 1 (Spring 1995), pp. 82-107) The ultimate principle is without words; one needs to borrow words to make this principle apparent. The great Way is without equivalent; [yet] to touch the uncultivated it reveals shapes. Let us […]

A young monk tentatively asked the Master,“Teacher, why did Bodhidharma come from the west?”The Master looked out the window and said,“The cypress tree in the courtyard.” The Zen Master whacks his stick against the floor. You’re startled, heart racing, eyes wide open, completely alert and aware, your mind snapped back to the present moment, all […]

Guidepost of Silent Illumination by Hongzhi Zhengjue Silent and serene,forgetting words,bright clarityappears before you. When you reflect ityou become vast,where you embody ityou are spiritually uplifted. Spiritually solitary and shining,inner illumination restores wonder, Dew in the moonlight,a river of stars,snow-covered pines,clouds enveloping the peaks. In darknessit is most bright,while hiddenall the more manifest. The crane […]