It was not until recently that I realised that it had been such a long time since I updated this blog! (Oops!)
Since the last post, I have settled into a new job, which has its own set of new challenges but I determine, every day, with vigourous daimoku that I will surmount all the obstacles [...]
Archive for the ‘Diary’ Category
Update / Twitter
Posted in Diary on May 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Speech
Posted in Diary, tagged buddha, buddhism, buddhist, Gossip, karma, Slander, Speech, Talking on December 20, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Buddhism is primarily concerned with happiness for oneself and others, and usually, the initial way in which we interact, is with speech.
What makes good or bad speech? How does what we say affect other people? When we are talking, does our speech draw people together or separate them?
Good speech comes as a result of having [...]
Redundant
Posted in Diary, tagged buddhism, choice, danger, life condition, opportunity, redundancy, The Buddha Geoff & Me on August 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
In the light of the recent economic downturn, redundancies have been rumoured for a while within the company I work for, and a few days ago I received the notification I had been expecting. My job was being made redundant.
In the past. an event of this magnitude would have caused untold worry and stress, but [...]
Jason Jarrett
Posted in Diary, tagged buddhism, buddhist, buddhistpodcast, Jason Jarrett on August 12, 2008 | 2 Comments »
I recently had the good fortune to assist Jason Jarrett present a lecture at a Study Meeting. Jason and his wife Karen produce the superb podcasts on ‘www.abuddhistpodcast.com’. (The podcasts are available via iTunes podcast feed, Podshow+, or from the website itself.)
The ‘live’ version is every bit as good as you might expect, so if [...]
Discussion Meetings
Posted in Diary, tagged buddhism, buddhist, discussion, growth, heart, Nichiren on July 30, 2008 | 1 Comment »
I attended a terrific Discussion Meeting the other day and it dawned on me just how significant they are.
Learning about Buddhism is to learn how life works, and to be in the company of a group of individuals who, in a welcoming and supportive environment, talk about how life works for them, is of immeasurable [...]
Turning Poison Into Medicine
Posted in Diary, tagged buddha, buddhism, buddhist, karma, medicine, Nichiren, poison on July 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
We have all heard the phrase ‘one man’s meat is another man’s poison’ but Buddhism goes one step further, actively encouraging people to turn poison into medicine….
I was recently listening to a man who was describing an aspect of his personality which he felt was negative and the cause of suffering for himself and conflict [...]
Opposing Injustice
Posted in Diary on July 1, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Recently at work there has been a Head Office communication for an action I disagree with.
At a meeting with line managers I voiced my opinion, and attendees looked on in amazement as I spoke freely from the heart, taking a stand for others, that this action was wrong because it discriminated against certain individuals, therefore [...]
Fish!
Posted in Diary on June 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
I came across a book I read years ago and was surprised when I refreshed my memory by flicking through the pages what a strong Buddhist (i.e. common sense) approach it has.
The book is called ‘FISH! – A Remerkable Way To Boost Morale and Improve Results’ by Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul and John Chrisensen [...]
The Dalai Lama
Posted in Diary on May 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
I attended two lectures given by the Dalai Lama. The first was a general public talk on ‘Caring For Our World’, the main points of which are listed below:
a). Global interdependence – In today’s world there is little self-sufficiency, and countries rely on others, so there is a real need for tolerance and understanding.
b). Compassion [...]
Sand Mandala
Posted in Diary on May 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
During the first two days of the Dalai Lama’s talks, monks from the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery created a Vajrasattva sand mandala. The intricate design is painstakingly built up from individual grains of coloured sand. At noon on the last day of the lectures, in accordance with tradition. the mandala will be destroyed and distributed in [...]
