Search found 476 matches

by Monkey Mind
Sun Jul 13, 2014 3:49 am
Forum: Wellness, Diet & Fitness
Topic: Best meditation cushion for bad back?
Replies: 8
Views: 7804

Re: Best meditation cushion for bad back?

Sorry if I seem to be overly-focued on this topic. With some searching, I found this video that circulated here a few months ago; a little new-age, but I think the structural advice is sound; at least it was helpful for me. I am not an expert:

http://youtu.be/qil5mmjuaIs?list=PL375955A026031014
by Monkey Mind
Sun Jul 13, 2014 3:28 am
Forum: Wellness, Diet & Fitness
Topic: Best meditation cushion for bad back?
Replies: 8
Views: 7804

Re: Best meditation cushion for bad back?

I have chased after many different types of cushions, each has advantages and disadvantages, and those are especially related to your body type. I agree with the above advice: unless you have a major back injury or problem, it is better to learn to sit with minimal supports. (This might take awhile,...
by Monkey Mind
Wed Jul 09, 2014 3:01 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Bunch of keys?
Replies: 174
Views: 24276

Re: Bunch of keys?

Again, in the course of 11 hours of discourses during the basic 10-day courses, Mr. Goenka mentions "kingdom of Heaven within" three times. He mentions Gods and Goddesses many times, always in the pejorative, e.g. "Worshipping a statue of this God or that Goddess." He mentions Br...
by Monkey Mind
Mon Jul 07, 2014 11:31 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Bunch of keys?
Replies: 174
Views: 24276

Re: Bunch of keys?

To be fair, Mr. Goenka did not use the word "God" (in this referenced passage), he spoke about experiencing "Heaven" here and now. He mentions "kingdom of heaven within" three times in 11 hours of discourses during the basic courses. I interpreted these passages in this...
by Monkey Mind
Fri May 30, 2014 11:46 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Hindu guru claims homosexuality can be 'cured' by yoga
Replies: 26
Views: 5510

Re: Hindu guru claims homosexuality can be 'cured' by yoga

Because all of these 20-something men in yoga pants is supposed to to turn me off from being gay? FAIL.

Somewhat related: all of these women wearing yoga pant in public... Re confirms my gayness.
by Monkey Mind
Wed May 28, 2014 6:42 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Has Vipassana reached the end of the road?
Replies: 7
Views: 2402

Re: Has Vipassana reached the end of the road?

If I could travel anywhere, and wanted to apply for any of the retreats starting next month... They are all full and deferring applicants to a wait list. When I serve a course in my little back-woods corner of North America, I am always shocked that students fly in from India, Australia, Singapore.....
by Monkey Mind
Mon May 19, 2014 12:31 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Was Buddha a normal human being or something more?
Replies: 41
Views: 6633

Re: Was Buddha a normal human being or something more?

I'm in the camp of "Buddha was a human", but read this: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.11.0.than.html In the early texts, the miracles were the result of advanced mental development. But in a very short amount of time, the stories evolved to indicate that the miracles demons...
by Monkey Mind
Sat May 17, 2014 5:33 pm
Forum: Vipassanā / Satipaṭṭhāna Bhāvana
Topic: Am I still an old student?
Replies: 1
Views: 1122

Re: Am I still an old student?

You are an old student for life. But describe your situation in the application, the AT might wish to speak to you on the first day about which instructions to follow.

In fact, I suggest signing up for interview in the first couple of days.
by Monkey Mind
Sat Apr 19, 2014 1:48 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: A reading for a Scout event?
Replies: 9
Views: 2079

Re: A reading for a Scout event?

When I was a Scout, I would be annoyed whenever someone read from the Bible. I assumed scouting was a secular activity, and I didn't understand why one scoutmaster in particular kept whipping out his Bible for every event. I had the same curiosity about sports. As you have already described the audi...
by Monkey Mind
Mon Apr 14, 2014 4:59 pm
Forum: Vipassanā / Satipaṭṭhāna Bhāvana
Topic: Goenka and Sotāpanna
Replies: 6
Views: 2966

Re: Goenka and Sotāpanna

Hmmm... I have never interpreted Mr. Goenka's words as implying it is easy. He repeatedly and overtly states that it is a lifetime endeavor, and one that requires hard work and diligence. The good news, according to him, is that stream-entry is possible for a lay person, if they are willing to work ...
by Monkey Mind
Sat Mar 29, 2014 5:45 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly
Replies: 42
Views: 9704

Re: My First Buddha - Soft and Cuddly

I confess, I ordered one too.

Once upon a time, I had a large plush animal collection. I donated them all when I downsized. But I figured, I can allow myself just one plush Buddha, no?

And yes, his smile is infectious.
by Monkey Mind
Sun Mar 23, 2014 3:37 pm
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: what is the maximum age if you want to ordain
Replies: 13
Views: 3978

Re: what is the maximum age if you want to ordain

Thank you Bhante and MM. I am aware of such practical reasons but surely back then, they could have faced such too and similar measures should have been in place? Just thinking aloud... Yeah, I'm just a parrot here. "Thus have I heard..." I would ordain today if it weren't for my student ...
by Monkey Mind
Sat Mar 22, 2014 11:59 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: 2 Buddhisms? Ajahn Brahm and Thanisarro Bhikkhu
Replies: 62
Views: 17339

Re: 2 Buddhisms? Ajahn Brahm and Thanisarro Bhikkhu

On a very practical note: Thanisarro's podcasts available on the Internet are consise and thorough, often 15 minutes or less. The title of the talk is a good summary of the content. Brahmavamso's podcasts are usually 65 minutes, and include a lot of jokes and cultural references, and often address s...
by Monkey Mind
Sat Mar 22, 2014 7:06 pm
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: what is the maximum age if you want to ordain
Replies: 13
Views: 3978

Re: what is the maximum age if you want to ordain

So, if the Vinaya is silent on the age limit, why do individual monasteries create and impose such? The monk I interviewed cited several reasons for the rule at Abhiyagiri. First of all, the monastery is built on a big hill. Every day the monks walk up and down that hill, with a steep grade, severa...
by Monkey Mind
Sat Mar 22, 2014 4:39 pm
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: what is the maximum age if you want to ordain
Replies: 13
Views: 3978

Re: what is the maximum age if you want to ordain

I asked this question in reference to Abhiyagiri monastery in California. I was told that 45 is considered the cutoff age for that monetary, but they have made exceptions for older applications under special circumstances. (There were two bhikkhus there who ordained older than 50.) I was told each m...