Coming Into And Nurturing Wisdom

When it comes to wisdom one of the first thoughts that comes to mind is an old man with a long beard. Or perhaps a grandparent or other revered elderly person who has a lot of life experiences. We often associate age and experience with wisdom. But from a practical viewpoint we know that isn’t always true.

So, what is wisdom?

In Buddhism wisdom is seeing that all phenomena are incomplete, impermanent, and not-self. This understanding is totally freeing and leads to the security and happiness called Nirvana.

But what did Buddha have to say about this level or type of wisdom? 

Surprisingly, the Buddha doesn't speak too much about this level of wisdom. That is because it’s not wisdom if we simply believe what we are told. Instead, he spoke more of wisdom in the common understanding. 

True wisdom is to directly see and understand for ourselves. It relies on the non-judgmental understanding of an event or circumstance. Rather than being closed-minded, wisdom keeps an open mind. Wisdom listens to others points of view with openness rather than being bigoted. Wisdom carefully examines the facts that contradict beliefs we may hold, rather than keeping dust in our eyes. Wisdom is objective rather than prejudiced. Wisdom takes its time to form opinions instead of simply accepting the first or most emotional response that is offered. And just as important wisdom is always ready to change beliefs when facts that contradict them are presented.
 
A person who embodies these qualities is certainly wise and is certain to eventually arrive at true understanding. Whereas on the contrary, the path of just believing what you are told is easy.

 
Your path in essence requires courage, patience, flexibility, and intelligence.

With these qualities well established, how then do we come into wisdom?

Fortunately the Buddha has transmitted to us the Noble Eightfold Path of which Right Understanding and Right Thought directly related to wisdom Right Understanding is a true understanding of how reality and suffering are intertwined. And Right Thought directs us to turn away from the vicious cycle of craving and desire by committing to a lifestyle of self-improvement and ethical conduct.

How Do We Nurture Wisdom?

Courage is not only not being afraid to ask questions, or asking others for help, or even allowing help from others, although these are certainly vital. Courage is also having the strength to truly examine our current beliefs with openness and objectivity.

Patience being another quality is simply ‘letting the situation grow’. We can not rush a desired outcome no matter how hard we push or try.

Flexibility is the ability to be non-dogmatic in our way of doing things and being open to change. This can certainly be hard for someone once a comfortable routine has been established.

Intelligence isn't necessarily how 'smart' you are. Solving quadratic equations isn't a part of most peoples lives. One of the most important aspects of intelligence is realizing when something isn’t working. Although each situation is different, this is where patience comes in, we do need to accept when a certain course of action needs to stop. Realizing when something needs to change or has outgrown its usefulness, and not just doing it because that what you've always done, is certainly an important aspect of intelligence.

The Buddha in his infinite compassion and wisdom as revealed to us a path in which we too may achieve liberation. This path is the Noble Eightfold Path which provides us valuable lessons and insight that just as relevant in modern times as it was 2,500 years ago.

Wishing you continued peace and wellbeing,

 

Vladimir

 

You are warmly invited to follow on us on Facebook and Instagram at @bluelotuscenter for more ways to improve your mindfulness practice and wellbeing.

Blue Lotus Meditation and Mindfulness Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.

Website and monthly newsletter: www.bluelotusmeditation.us

For guided meditations and Dharma talks, please visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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The Walking Meditation - Reflecting On Our Most Basic Needs

We often hear how much the world has changed in the past 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years or more depending on whom you speak with.

That viewpoint has never made much sense to me, even as a child. And as an adult now with more experience, I still maintain that view. We still face the same stress and anxiety today that our parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and so on did. True, technology may have changed during that time, but the stress, anxiety, and basic responses are the same.

We each need to eat and drink each day. We need to provide shelter for ourselves and perhaps a family. We all need to have some form of clothing to protect us from the weather. We all need to feel the sense of security and safety a community provides. Having these basic needs met in well balanced proportion allows each of us to reduce or minimize our stress.

But what happens when we do not have or at least perceive to not have these needs met? Humans, as an evolutionary response, tend to envision the worst-case scenario which elevates our stress and anxiety levels. 'I have no food or water; how will I survive the next few days?' This may have been a beneficial response thousands of years ago but how does it serve us now? In short, it won’t.

So when our access to the most basic needs seems to have been interrupted how do we proceed and return to balance?

This is where the effective walking meditation may be used. But to use this form of meditation effectively one has to realize the need and benefits of this non-action or non-doing. When times of stress or anxiety arise, it's time for walking meditation.

When we become skillful with our awareness of the present moment walking meditation allows us to negate the immediate 'fight or flight' response. As a result, we institute mindful reflection of our circumstance with questions such as: is this situation as dire as it seems? Have I encountered a situation like this before? I made it through then and I'll make it through now.

Walking meditation may be enjoyed anywhere, not just in a peaceful park, garden, or forest. Places like a city block, your office building, or even shopping mall or grocery store are just as ideal. The important aspect of the walking meditation is bringing awareness to your surroundings. With each slow step breathing in and out with kind attention to any sensation in your nostrils such as the coolness of the air during your in-breath and the warmth during your out-breath.

Knowing that in that very moment you have everything you need, nothing more and nothing less.

If you are enjoying your walking meditation in a office look at the carpet or walls every so often. Do you see any imperfections like a snag in the carpet or peeling paint in a corner? How often have you walked by there without ever even noticing? There will always be some form of imperfection but the carpet still functions as required preventing people from slipping as they walk. The wall still stands and provides support for the building and perhaps even has some beautiful artwork hanging.

What smells are you able to notice as you continue your walk? Is it during lunchtime? Without judgmental statements like ‘this smells good’ or ‘eww, what’s that smell’ see if you’re able to discern the varying fragrances. Remember, people like all kinds of foods and it’s not for us to decide what someone else should like or dislike.

Walking meditation allows us to reconnect with what’s most precious, life. We are alive in that present moment and that is a gift in itself. The past is gone, and we may never return there. The future does not exist as we conceptualize it to be. And therefore, the ‘troubles’ we face, no matter how severe we may initially think, truly aren’t as severe as we give them credit for.

Wishing you continued peace and wellbeing,

 

Vladimir

 

You are warmly invited to follow on us on Facebook and Instagram at @bluelotuscenter for more ways to improve your mindfulness practice and wellbeing.

Blue Lotus Meditation and Mindfulness Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.

Website and monthly newsletter: www.bluelotusmeditation.us

For guided meditations and Dharma talks, please visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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Founders Day Message 2023

Founders Day Message 2023

Celebrations are an important event in that they offer mindful recognition for a meaningful event or an important mile stone. 

Founders Day is a day where I renew my commitment to serving you and to those suffering. It is also a time of mindful reflection on all of the good Blue Lotus Meditation and Mindfulness Center has provided individuals, our community, and the world. Although our practitioners come from all over the world, varying occupations and ages, they all experience suffering. Through Buddhas teachings, we have helped ease the suffering of people coping with addiction, trauma, homelessness, anxiety, stress, relationships, and PTSD to name only a few. 

The work and support we offer is important and meaningful. 

And, most importantly, there is never a fee for any of our offerings.

How we serve others.

Each week we offer virtual sangha's for those that may have experienced trauma, LGBQT+ community, veterans, teens, and a general 'welcoming' sangha. All meetings are conducted via Skype and anonymity, if desired, is always maintained. 

We also offer several developmental classes, Resiliency+, for example. Being resilient is important to survival however when one only survives one misses the true beauty that is around us, even during those hard times.

Our Sutra Study is a weekly meeting where were explore one of the 84,000 Buddhist sutras, their meaning, and how they provide a necessary vehicle for beings to walk a noble path towards enlightenment.

In the summer we also offer a Teen Mindfulness camp. For one week teens from all communities are welcome to camp in our 'outdoor' meditation hall to disconnect from the harmful distractions of life so that they may learn the necessary mindfulness skills to help them navigate the challenges they will face in their adult life. 

Also on the last day of each month from May to September we offer Silent Retreats. Here practitioners from all ages and skill levels are invited to sit in silent contemplation, disconnect from their hectic lives so that they may reconnect to their being. A free vegetarian lunch is served as well. 

How are we able to provide our services at no cost?

Imagine a child or elderly person falling to the ground and in pain. Would you say 'I'll pick you up off the ground but only if you pay me'?

Of course not. You would assist them up, ask if they were OK, and comfort them as needed. 

We are compassionate towards all beings. We have empathy towards all beings. We know that all beings are suffering and we have the means to offer some relief of their suffering. So we do.

We are entirely donation based and warmly welcome all forms of generosity.

Our message?

Simply put, our message, my message, is the same as the Buddhas. It is one of hope. It is one of compassion. It is one of love for all living beings, including yourself.

So as you move about your day look at the stranger with welcoming eyes and a warm smile.

Make a donation to a local charity or animal shelter. 

Perhaps even embracing 'noble silence' when a stressful situation arises.

Being kind to those that need it is a wonderful way to share in the joy of this Founders day. 

   

Wishing you continued peace and wellbeing,

 

Vladimir

 

You are warmly invited to follow on us on Facebook and Instagram at @bluelotuscenter for more ways to improve your mindfulness practice and wellbeing.

Blue Lotus Meditation and Mindfulness Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.

Website and monthly newsletter: www.bluelotusmeditation.us

For guided meditations and Dharma talks, please visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Facebook

Instagram