For a few weeks, I've been mulling over which Buddhist figure should be the centrepiece of my shrine. I initially thought of Green Tara - the Buddha of compassion - who has been a familiar figure for me my whole life. Growing up, my Dad had a small Green Tara tapestry hanging in our home,… Continue reading Embracing Darkness With The Buddha Of The North
Tag: buddhism
“To Descend Is Also God’s Will” – Radical Acceptance, Depression + A Poem
It's been roughly a year since my last episode of depression began. That might seem like a sign that it was seasonal-affective induced. However, more than any other time of year, I typically associate late spring with being the time that I typically start to experience depression; so I think that the arrival of winter… Continue reading “To Descend Is Also God’s Will” – Radical Acceptance, Depression + A Poem
Counselling, Validation + Childhood Fantasy
I don't really know what to write about today specifically, so I suppose I'll just write about how I feel and what's on my mind. After last week's outburst post, I knew that my next counselling session would feel different. I told him today that it felt like a month since our last session. He… Continue reading Counselling, Validation + Childhood Fantasy
I Wanted To Share With You
I wanted to share with you. I had a list, in fact, of topics and prompts which would set this room aglow with pure connection. We would talk about boundaries and how well I'm setting and maintaining them, we'd talk about anger and grief and how well I'm navigating and managing them, we'd talk about… Continue reading I Wanted To Share With You
Bliss, Despair, Terror – Meditation + The Importance Of The Spiritual Community
I mentioned to a colleague at work the other day about going to a Buddhist class one night and she said that she didn't think she'd have it in her to meditate and "sit there with no thoughts". I rushed to say to her what I say to anyone who has similar apprehensions about meditative… Continue reading Bliss, Despair, Terror – Meditation + The Importance Of The Spiritual Community
A New Normal
My last post saw me getting transparent about my addictive tendencies and how meditation and Buddhism had provided the space and support to allow that transparency to blossom. So now I'm not on retreat anymore and I don't have a 7.00am rising bell to gently coax me out of bed, or a beautiful shrine room perfumed… Continue reading A New Normal
Healing Addiction Via Buddhism + A Happy Birthday
Since my last blog post, I've been on a week-long Buddhist retreat and celebrated my 24th birthday. I'll insert a passage from my journal reflecting on turning 24: "That's a great age," women in their 30's tell me; but in a way, I feel more pressure upon hearing that. I receive it to mean that… Continue reading Healing Addiction Via Buddhism + A Happy Birthday
Atheism + Spirituality
I was brought up by an atheist father and a spiritual new-age Christian type mother. But despite the fact that my father is atheist, he periodically spoke about eastern philosophy and even had things like buddhas, prayer beads and a prayer wheel dotted around the house as ornamentation. He also had a small tapestry of… Continue reading Atheism + Spirituality
Thoughts On… A Week Of Self Awareness
Training in self awareness came at the perfect time because this week has been pretty hectic. Work has been busy. Like, out of control busy. Like, you know when you have a few really important things that you need to do immediately but you physically can't because you're too busy? You can see tables covered in… Continue reading Thoughts On… A Week Of Self Awareness
Self Awareness – Setting Intentions
"By arising in faith and watchfulness, by self-possession and self-harmony, the wise man makes an island for his soul which many waters cannot overflow." - Watchfulness, The Dhammapada The Dhammapada is a book containing what is widely believed to be the Buddha's teachings. True contentment, it seems, comes from attaining control of one's mind and… Continue reading Self Awareness – Setting Intentions
philomenah's safe space 