Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was an American Trappist monk. He was also a writer, a traveller, a social activist, a poet and a seeker of the contemplative life.He was intent on exploring interfaith dialogues and developed deep friendships with the Dalai Lama, and Zen monk Thích Nhất Hạnh. As well as writing on his own faith … Continue reading On the Road.
For me, the biggest problem trying to live my life in the momentis that I always seem to turn up for it 20 minutes early.
I have been meditating regularly for quite a few years now. I usually sit Zazen (Zen meditation) for 1 hour most mornings. Dawn is the best time for me. There is something about the stillness and the quality of the light first thing that I find very conducive to quieting down and settling into a … Continue reading Meditation on the road.
As you may or may not know, I am a practitioner of Zen Buddhism. As part of an online course I am participating in, I am slowly working my way through a study of the Heart Sutra (sutra is Sanskrit for "thread"). This sutra is chanted daily by buddhist practitioners all over the world. Many … Continue reading The Heart Sutra.
Dragons Gate is situated atop a high waterfall that cuts from the legendary Longmen mountains above the Yellow River at Hunan. Carp that have endured the difficult and treacherous journey upstream are faced with this final leap of faith at the gate. Those who succeed are transformed into dragons. Dragons have always held a special … Continue reading Here there be dragons.
