Justskipit said:
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The Prayer of Saint Francis, it’s a real challenge—particularly the dyads at the beginning.
I
that prayer! It is so wonderful, and I feel like it expresses the really important message at the basis of any religion worth its salt. Also worth a mention, the Sarah McLachlan version of it was featured in an episode, albeit a post-SR episode and so will not be discussed further here.
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I like to go to the Buddhist center in my town and sit with a group at least once a week.
Wow. That sounds so fantastic. I have thought about the Buddhist center and there is actually a temple near here but I let my fear stand in the way of ever going.
If they have a website, visit it, and see if there is a contact person to offer an orientation if you come early before the first time you attend one of their meditation times. Then go ahead and e-mail them. I have done this at different places, and although I was nervous the first time I met with one of these folks, they have always been really nice and not intimidating in any way. I mean, hello, Buddhists. Very low-key, sincere folks, just wanting to help people achieve inner peace.
re: the meditation timer website
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That’s awesome. But then do you have to wear your earbuds to hear the bell? I could download an MP3 to my Ipod but I think the earbuds would bug me. Cool though.
Oh, I should've mentioned - I just have them downloaded to my laptop and play the mp3s from there, so no headphones. I also have them on my office computer. I hadn't thought of the headphone factor. That might be annoying, agreed.
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I would love to hear about people’s favorite meditation books. Mine is probably A Path with Heart by Jack Kornfield. He puts things in the most amazingly straightforward but sacred way.
I've read stuff by him - very good writer. I also like Sylvia Boorstein and Charlotte Joko Beck. They have that same straightforward, comforting, down-to-earth style, plus as an added bonus, are women.
I already mentioned
Hardcore Zen ('hardcore' referring to the author's previous involvement in the punk scene, not Zen practice) by Brad Warner. Its subtitle is "Punk Rock, Monster Movies, and the Truth about Reality." The monster movie part is the fact that his 'day job' is with a japanese company that makes those kooky guy-in-a-suit-stomping-Tokyo type productions. Needless to say, this book has a lot of humor and irony, but at the same time its introduction to Zen and meditation is very good and straightforward (like the authors above, only more youthful), easy to grasp, not filled with impenetrable spiritual jargon.
I overslept this morning and did not get to meditate, so I will be doing that before bed. Happy sitting (or chanting, or counting, or whatever you happen to do)...
ellbogen