Listen: Beautiful podcast about Zen & Art featuring John Daido Loori, Roshi.

Shambhala Sun reviewer asks if Buddha was an Atheist.

Great post over at Elephant Journal on what yoga is really about.

Sister Dang Nghiem, a nun at Deer Park Monastery, discusses the mindfulness bell, cultivating peacefulness and joy.

This is a beautiful and really well shot video.

(Via Patrick Burke at Vimeo)

May 27th – the day of the first full moon in May – is Buddha Day, a day celebrating his enlightenment after sitting in meditation under the Bodhi tree.

So let’s all practice mindfulness today. Let’s observe a little silence. And, let’s remember to be compassionate and kind.

For a few rituals and observances and other great insights, check out this great post over at Elephant Journal.

I heard a term recently that struck me. In a podcast by Gil Fronsdal, primary teacher at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, California, he referred to a phenomenon in the spiritual publishing industry known as Bed Stand Buddhists. It seems that there is a sizable number of people out there who love to read about Buddhism, who love the way the literature, whether it’s one of the Sutras or contemporary writings, makes them feel. There is a sense of peace found in the writings, but this is as far as they go. Bed Stand Buddhists never take the big next step which is from bed to cushion.

Maybe the reason this struck me so much is that I am desperate to apply and actively engage in my practice – both on the yoga mat and on the cushion with my meditation practice. However, I love books, love the intellectual challenges of philosophy and various spiritual writings and if I’m not vigilant about things I could easily succumb to the lure of purely intellectual exercises at the expense of what matters most: engaged practice.

I’ve been a Bed Stand Buddhist and theoretical Yogi as much as I’ve been an engaged, active, practicing one. Yes, I meditate and practice yoga often, but I also spend a lot of time reading books about Buddhism, reading books on yoga, both topics are profoundly interesting to me. So, how do I balance my curiosity with my desire to live by the words and ideas I so frequently immerse myself in?

I find it easy to lapse into passivity. When I’m honest with myself, I’m far too often guilty of forgoing practice in order to better prepare for practice. Preparation is highly overrated. Yes, techniques matter. How we breath matters. It’s also important that we have in place solid foundations for our yoga and meditation. However, at some point, we have to jump. I’ve meditated for years. I’ve been practicing yoga for a few years now. What I’ve found is that regardless of progress and profound insights and success, I’m still drawn to books for that other missing insight, that key secret that’ll make it all easier. But, it’s not easy. It’s hard, frustrating, beautiful, transformative and profound work. And at the end of the day, all we have is ourselves. And we’re responsible for our progress.

Maybe I’m too hard on myself. That’s okay, too.

I got a chance to watch the new PBS documentary on the life and teachings of the Buddha and found myself truly moved. David Grubin did a fantastic job of capturing the voices, perspectives and the deep compassion inherent in the teachings of Buddhism. Richard Gere narrates this beautiful work.

Check it out if you get a chance.

This is a beautiful quote by Walt Whitman, one of my favorite mystical poets.

This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward toward the people…re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss what insults your very soul, and your very flesh shall become a great poem. – Walt Whitman

Whitman’s writing is timeless and profound. If you haven’t read any of this writings, start with Song of Myself from his collection Leaves of Grass. The entire collection is brilliant, earthy, spiritual, visual, sensual and very moving.

I’ve recently started listening to the Mysterious Universe podcast and I simply can’t get enough of this strange, engaging and endlessly entertaining show. Hosted by Ben and Aaron, the show looks at the paranormal, fringe science, supernatural occurrences including cryptid encounters, UFO abductions, sightings and other high-weirdness.

The show is really well produced with awesome music and the interaction between Ben and Aaron is tremendous. The show format includes reporting, commentary and the occasional interview with various special guests from across various paranormal fields. You can also sign up for their Plus+ membership which I plan on doing.

To get some background on the show, you can catch the transcript of an interview with the two hosts here. As an additional side note, their show has to be one of the best branded Pod Shows I’ve ever seen. I’d venture to guess one or both of the hosts have some design background because the aesthetics of the show are impeccable.

I just received Edwin F. Bryant’s comprehnsive edition of The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali’s. The book is filled with a history of commentaries and insights, as well as the original Sanskrit as source material and should make for a tremendous study reference on yoga philosophy and vedic culture.

It’ll be fun to work through it.