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.
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.
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.
There is no poet in the world who is not a mystic. A poet is a mystic whether consciously or unconsciously, for no one can write poetry without inspiration, and when a poet touches the profound depths of the spirit, struck by some aspect of life, he brings forth a poem as a diver brings forth a pearl.
Hazrat Inayat Khan, Sufi Mystic and Musician.
From a chapter on the writings of Rumi in his book The Heart of Sufism.
