Blog Archives

The Strings of the Oud

6/30/2013

6/30/13

The Strings of the Oud: tuned just so..

There is a story of the Buddha and one of his disciples named Sona, who was trying very hard to follow the path to enlightenment.

He forced himself to sit in meditation practice for many hours. He tried very hard to clear his mind of thoughts. He spent hours each day giving to others and very little time caring for his own body and spirit.

All of the monks knew of Sona’s struggle, but they were not sure how to help him.

When the Buddha became aware of the young monk’s distress, he came to see him. The Buddha remembered that Sona had been a fine musician before he took his vows.

“Remember when you played your beautiful oud?” asked the Buddha.
“Of-course, Master,” replied the young man.
“How did it sound when the strings were too tight?”
“The music was high-pitched and out of tune. Sometimes they would break.”
“And when the strings were loose?”
“The music was low and dull”, replied the monk.

“We must tune the instrument of our beings, just so,” said the Buddha. We ask ourselves to aspire to mindfulness and compassion. Yet, we must be mindful of our limits and the depth of our resources in each moment.

A gentle hand on the tuning peg allows the string to vibrate with a beautiful sound.
A gentle hand with our mind and body nurtures awakened heart, and the balance that leads to a mindful life.”

Breathing into the body, I sit on my cushion
Breathing out I feel at home.

Breathing in I notice thinking
Breathing out I gently label thoughts

Breathing in I notice restlessness
Breathing out I am kind to my body

Breathing in I accept my difficulties
Breathing out I am mindful

Sona's story(Adapted from Teachings of the Buddha edited by Jack Kornfield, Shambala Press, 1996).

May this information benefit you, those you love, and all sentient beings, everywhere.

-Ellen Adelman

© Ellen M. Adelman PhD 2013,

all rights reserved.
Mind Body Intelligence tm is a trademark of Ellen M. Adelman PhD and the Sage Healing Institute.

For more information visit www.sagehealinginstitute.com.

© Ellen M. Adelman PhD 2013, all rights reserved.

0 Comments

Pool of Serenity

6/23/2013

0 Comments

6/23/13

Pool of Serenity: a morning meditation

Rain softens the sunny morning with an occasional shower.
Falling into the bird bath with a startling brightness, calling the eye; drops of nourishing liquid from the heavens.

Breathing into the deep silence; enter the pool.
Ripples occur, move and diminish.
Stillness comes.
Rest in this.

Sit on the rough porcelain bottom of the bath or float.
Lift your wet head and glistening hair, and breath again.
Touched lightly by sunlight, everyone sparkles.

The scent of flowers, in full bloom, living in the morning;
Spice, honey, attar of roses, wafting on the breeze.
Filling the body, perfuming, anointing with the blessings of the day.
Breathe

Spread your wings and rise from the pool
Delicate iridescent drops fall from your body, into the bath...
What you give back

Lifted by energy, spirit and peace.
Breathing into being.
Breathing into this moment, this life,
enter the day with serenity and intention.
Unfold into grace.

Breathing into being I feel my body
Breathing out I am entering this moment

Breathing in I take in the achingly beautiful world
Breathing out I send joy and compassion

Breathing in I am lifted into the day
Breathing out I spread my wings

Breathing in I ride the currents
Breathing out I am filled with peace

May this information benefit you, those you love, and all sentient beings, everywhere.

-Ellen Adelman

© Ellen M. Adelman PhD 2013,
all rights reserved.

Mind Body Intelligence tm is a trademark of Ellen M. Adelman PhD and the Sage Healing Institute.

For more information visit www.sagehealinginstitute.com.
© Ellen M. Adelman PhD 2013, all rights reserved.

0 Comments

Indra's Net

6/16/2013

0 Comments

6/16/13

Indra’s Net

In Hinduism, the ancient name for the divine creator of the universe was Indra.
This being is said to have caused a vast and infinite net, like an intricate spider’s web, to come into existence. Indra's net represents reality; containing everything that ever has, ever will, or currently does, exist.
A jewel sits at each of the infinite number of junctures. Each one is the essence of an individual, a consciousness, or a phenomenon.

Every gem on the net is interconnected and contains the essence of every other. Any change in one, is reflected everywhere. One way to think about this is to understand these gemlike nodes of reality, as part of a vast living organism; all breathing, evolving, changing at once.

Looking deeply into the heart of any jewel, allows us to see everything; every being, in every universe, at every time and in every dimension. Although each gem has its individual nature; knowing only one jewel is all that is necessary to know everything.

Indra’s net helps us realize that we are intimately connected with other humans, other sentient beings (from animals to insects to aliens), and the very planet we live on.

Every action we take is laden with great import and responsibility. Every action we take is deeply connected to what has happened, what is happening now, and what will happen.

Mindfulness practice allows us to glimpse the intricate and interconnected nature of reality. Living here, in Indra’s net, we are all able to be responsible, powerful and kind.

Breathing in I am a jewel in Indra’s net
Breathing out I am part of everything

Breathing in I send lovingkindness
Breathing in I am touched by reflected compassion

Breathing in I am part of vast possibility
Breathing out I am responsible for change

Breathing in I refrain from harm
Breathing out I am healed

May this information benefit you, those you love, and all sentient beings, everywhere.

-Ellen Adelman
© Ellen M. Adelman PhD 2013,
all rights reserved.

Mind Body Intelligence tm is a trademark of
Ellen M. Adelman PhD and the Sage Healing Institute.

For more information visit www.sagehealinginstitute.com.© Ellen M. Adelman PhD 2013, all rights reserved.

0 Comments

Expect the Unexpected

6/10/2013

0 Comments

6/9/13
Expect the Unexpected

As we move from moment to moment, through the waking part of our daily lives, we make predictions about what will come next.

We begin the day by guiding ourselves through the morning routine; counting on hot water for the shower, and food in the refrigerator for breakfast. Our expectations are, that everything that was present, accessible, or functioning last night when we went to sleep, will be just the same, when we awaken .

This reality forecasting is an ongoing, unconscious process; usually absent from awareness until something goes wrong.

In our complex reality, where each day holds numerous demands; we rely on things going smoothly to meet our obligations, and goals. When the car doesn’t start, the computer has a virus, or someone has eaten the last of the strawberries counted on for breakfast, we feel unsettled.

When this happens, we can cause ourselves great suffering.

Blaming, criticism and anger often appear. “What inconsiderate person ate those strawberries?” “Why didn’t I install the anti-virus program sooner?” “I know the mechanic at the car dealership just ripped me off....”

We may also feel an increase in anxiety and begin to predict terrible outcomes: “There isn’t anything else for me to eat, I’ll have to go hungry.” “My boss will be furious that I am late, and probably fire me.” “Its going to cost a fortune to fix that car...”

“Expect the unexpected” is a mindfulness slogan from the Tibetan tradition. It is an invitation to cultivate a fluid attitude toward reality, which is reflective of its true nature. Every person, being, atom, and event are changing in every moment. It comforts us to feel that the world is solid and predictable, but doing so can result in anxiety and stress.

When we encounter something unusual or unpredicted, the mindful position is one without judgement. The child’s mind says: “How interesting! Not at all what I expected. Hmmn, what is the offering of this moment?
An empty silence where the sound of the car ignition was expected. I am mindful of the feeling of surprise and the desire to begin my journey.
I embrace the opportunity to find out what is wrong with my car...”

Or; I can’t find the onions in the supermarket. I notice these onion-like things. I take in the visual beauty of their unusual leaves, letting go of disappointment and frustration. “I wonder how these taste?”

This position of openness, which allows us to refrain from anxiety, criticism and anger, offers us great benefit.

Breathing in I am aware of my breath.
Breathing out I am open to this moment.

Breathing in I open to reality unfolding.
Breathing out I drop expectation.

Breathing in I open to the unexpected
Breathing out I invite whatever is offered

Breathing in I relax.
Breathing out I move mindfully to respond.

May this information benefit you, those you love, and all sentient beings, everywhere.

-Ellen Adelman
© Ellen M. Adelman PhD 2013,
all rights reserved.
Mind Body Intelligence tm is a trademark of

Ellen M. Adelman PhD and the Sage Healing Institute.

For more information visit www.sagehealinginstitute.com.© Ellen M. Adelman PhD 2013, all rights reserved.

0 Comments

The Exquisite Melody Within

6/2/2013

0 Comments

6/2/13
The Exquisite Melody Within

Some days sitting to meditate is like entering a room filled with a vocal concert of loud and disorganized tones. In these moments, of mindful meditation, intended to be empty and restful with silence and stillness; the door may be opened to the voices of a multitude of compelling conversations.

Listening to these voices we may notice, criticisms, worries, fears and regrets.

Each singer in this recital can invite us to join in a unique melody. Some of these songs may seem pleasing and some may be upsetting or painful, but all of them lead away from this moment and the heart of meditation. Regret is the melody of the past. Worry, anxiety and fears are the ballad of the future.

We can hear and understand, but we
are not required to sing. Hearing the tones, we know them for what they are. In choosing to stay present, we might move into a new room filled with a melody of no notes.

Here, in this space we can shed criticisms, regrets and worries. The beauty of our innate nature can be felt, heard and seen. A gentle touch of kindness and compassion allows us to experience the beautiful heart of who we are. The petals of the flower slowly open, and the inner spirit begins to sing.

Breathing in I am aware of my breath.
Breathing out I am present.

Breathing in I notice the sound of my inner voices.
Breathing out I choose to remain silent.

Breathing in I let fears, criticisms and
regrets fall away.
Breathing out I embrace simple being.

Breathing in I touch my inner essence
Breathing out I rest in this moment

Breathing in I open to joy
Breathing out my heart sings.

May this information benefit you, those you love, and all sentient beings, everywhere.

-Ellen Adelman

© Ellen M. Adelman PhD 2013, all rights reserved.

Mind Body Intelligence tm is a trademark of
Ellen M. Adelman PhD and the Sage Healing Institute.

For more information visit www.sagehealinginstitute.com.© Ellen M. Adelman PhD 2013, all rights reserved.

0 Comments

Welcome

Greetings and Welcome to the Sage Healing Institute Web Log. We will share interesting articles, mindfulness practices and perspectives to inform and inspire your daily practice!

The Strings of the Oud

Pool of Serenity

Indra's Net

Expect the Unexpected

The Exquisite Melody Within

Enter your email address below for new Sage blog posts right to your inbox!

Welcome

Archives

Categories/Tags