On September 3rd, 2023, EDG finally got together (in person) at Kwan Yin Hall (Jade Buddha Temple, Houston, Texas). We will meet every Sunday (10AM Central for meditation, and 10:30AM for Dharma talk. In addition, we are still continuing to show all Dharma talks on-line too (via Zoom). See the image above.
The month of February brings Valentine’s Day, a romantic holiday, celebrating love and affection. Here are two Buddhist psychologists, authors, and thought leaders sharing their reflection on acceptance and compassion.
Jack Kornfield on Compassion for ImperfectionWhat if you could love yourself fully, including your imperfections? What if you could love others in the same way? You might fear that by loving your anger or laziness, your addictions or your anxiety, that you will never change for the better, that you will become more angry, lazy, addicted, or anxious. But if you experiment, you will see that what happens is often the opposite. As you love and accept yourself in a bigger, wiser love, your fear and aggression, your neediness and inertia, lose their hold. …Continue reading…
Tara Brach on Learning to Go Through Life with Love in Your HeartA Q&A with Buddhist psychologist and renowned meditation teacher Tara Brach about offering radical compassion to yourself and others. Many of us have the habit of judging ourselves and others harshly, drawing lines of blame that separate us from each other. But there’s another way, writes internationally recognized meditation teacher Tara Brach in her new book. Radical Compassion is a way of practicing acceptance and care for ourselves and others that allows us to stay present to all that life brings and stay connected to each other. …Continue reading…
Josten distinctly remembers when he left Hong Kong over 30 years ago, that he would not be interested in Buddhism. Until many years later, he attended a Dharma class near his home in Northwest Houston and learned about the Buddha’s true words, Jade Buddha Temple and the English Dharma Group. And this started his meditation “career,” which continues to be a vital part of his life.
Josten served the Texas Buddhist Association in various roles as a long-time EDG coordinator and three-term Board member. More recently, he developed EDG’s semi-annual four-week class on Mindfulness in Urban Living, which he leads in its fourth year. Additionally, he spearheads a local community meditation program called SMG, Satellite Meditation Groups. Meditators meet weekly in three geographical areas around the Greater Houston area.
Meditation is an essential part of his life, and Josten is inspired by sharing his passion with others. It is especially gratifying for him to see dedicated members that join EDG’s classes and take the instructions seriously. The inspiration comes when many begin to see benefits from their earnest practice of the mindfulness exercises.
“Personally, my saving grace is the spiritual community (Kalyāṇa-mittatā), nowadays called “support group.”
“Meditation is always present deep inside me, doing it, however, is a different ball game,” Josten points out. “If I didn’t continually associate with people that were interested in meditation, my 20+ years of practice might not have happened.”
An internet search on this topic reveals a multitude of excuses for not starting or maintaining a regular meditation practice:
According to Mindful Magazine:
“If any of these excuses sound familiar, you are not alone. And so, I encourage you to join our weekly Sunday meditation program at Jade Buddha Temple from 10-10:30 am. I am leaving you with a few articles; they might inspire you in the coming New Year 2020. After all, it’s the time of the year to set internal and external intentions!”
As a partner of Compassionate Houston, the Texas Buddhist Association joins various faith and non-profit organizations in celebrating the Charter for Compassion’s 10th anniversary.
The Charter is an umbrella organization of many compassionate cities and individuals around the globe, united in the principle of creating a respectful, kind, and compassionate world.
The Buddha taught that to realize enlightenment, we must develop two qualities: wisdom and compassion, two wings that work together to enable flying.
EDG, on behalf of TBA, is taking part in celebrating the 10th anniversary by reading the Charter of Compassion during our Sunday Dharma talk on November 10, 2009,
For information on the Charter and Compassionate Houston, see the download link below:
Charter for Compassion with brief overview of Compassionate Houston
Dr. David L. Collins looks at the noticeable increase in studies of mindfulness and meditation in recent years and provides a compact overview on the history of mindfulness. Read on.
Collins wraps up his critical look by recognizing that “a particularly beneficial effect of mindfulness practice is the way it can help us to remember that we don’t know everything.” He brings his blog to a close by sharing a thought provoking koan:
The 10th century Chinese Zen student Fayan was on his pilgrimage. During a rainstorm he put up at the temple of a Zen priest named Dizang. The next morning, as he was getting ready to leave and continue his pilgrimage, Dizang asked him, “What’s the purpose of pilgrimage?” Fayan paused and answered, “I don’t know.” Dizang said, “Not knowing is closest to it.” Fayan had an awakening.
(cf. The Book of Equanimity, koan case 20)
All of Bhante Gavesi’s Dharma talk’s are now available as podcasts on his blog. That includes his talks during the 10-day retreat, his Austin talks on Breaking the Identity of Self as well as his three Sunday talks at EDG on Dealing with Guilt; Equanimity and Compassion in Difficult Times; Awareness, Mindfulness, and Clear Comprehension. Follow the link here.
Ann Gleig takes a far-reaching look at how Buddhism and the conversations within it are changing in the twenty-first century.
Ann Gleig is an assistant professor of religion and cultural studies at the University of Central Florida. In April 2017 she received the University Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award. She completed her PhD in religious studies at Rice University in 2010, focusing on Buddhism and Hinduism in modernity. Her forthcoming book about current trends in American meditation-based Buddhism is being published by Yale University Press February 26, 2019.
The practice of mindfulness is everywhere. What is mindfulness? Can it really improve your mental state? What does the research have to say about it?
Business leaders, professional athletes, mental health professionals, and, of course, your neighbor down the street are all discussing how being mindful can improve our mental state and general well-being. Mindfulness is used as an approach for treating pain, depression, anxiety, OCD, addiction, chronic diseases, and HIV treatment side effects, as well as an aid in weight loss and in being more productive. So what is mindfulness? And what does the research have to say about its ability to better our lives? Read on for a brief look at the evidence-backed benefits of participating in a mindfulness program? By Sabrina Stierwalt, PhD.
Sharon Salzberg, one of the best known Western Buddhist teacher is celebrating her birthday this weekend. As a Buddhist teacher and author, Sharon has served as a spiritual friend to so many, providing guidance in the cultivation of loving-kindness, faith, and happiness. Lion’s Roar is honoring Sharon by sharing her biography, her teachings, numerous quotes, and books. Read on for more.
Giving up, giving in, just plain giving — Sharon Salzberg says that’s the truly transformative experience. Generosity opens our heart, frees us from attachment and is the basis of all good qualities. It’s the foundation of the Buddhist path.
