In response to a question about Buddhism and sexuality, I jotted down where I think Buddhism stands on these things. Just my thoughts, of course. Buddhism doesn't have a Holy Book or scripture, so its stance is much more fluid.
#sexuality #Buddhism

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We had a great discussion this Tuesday about worrying in our anxiety-busting Zoom. I copied out the transcript. Worrying is NOT caring:
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January Resurrection Mindsprings Mandala. Our monthly round-up of bright, shiny things.
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Every Thursday, we take a little dip into the world of Buddhism. And lately we’ve been looking at the six perfection or the paramitas. tomorrow morning, we come to the fifth: meditation or dhyana
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Or link in bio : meditate with Alistair
#paramita #dhyana

After my lovely 5-day solitary retreat at the Cliff, I’m back tomorrow (Monday) at 8am UK for our first live meditation of 2024. Monday is Beingfulness- a great start to the week. Use code MEDITATE2024 to get half a year half price.
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see link in bio ⬆️

My mail-outs are fun. One newsy one. One sharing good things to read, listen to or watch. And one with a free meditation. Sign up in a trice.

#connection #inTheKnow #meditate

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Or check link in bio. ⬆️

The fourth paramita is Viriya or joyful effort. And as we crawl to the end of the year it’s good to plug into the motor of our practice and recognise the joy that fuels it.
#livesessions #Thursday

if you’re in Sussex and wanted some fresh air on Boxing Day, Daniel and I are opening the deck and the pottery to festive walkers on the 26th from 11am till 4. So stop by for some hot chocolate and mulled wine. Donations for the Cuckmere sea defences.
#boxingday #CuckmereHaven

Yay! #Scarborough

Check out my blog post
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Tomorrow morning we start looking at the third paramita of patience or Khanti. As with all these transcendental actions - what happens when we take 'staying with' to its ultimate destination?
#livesession #zoomdharma #thursdaymorningmeditation
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A pungent Auden poem. 'Beautiful, happy and perfectly pointless'
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Daniel was about to bin these odd mugs from a firing. But I decided they looked like Roman vases hauled up from the sea. And then planted them up with Christmas cyclamen to offset their beautiful barnacles.
I love them.
#potterymagic #misshapes #serendipity

We’re moving on to the 2nd paramita this week. It’s Discipline or Shila which sounds onerous but is actually the most delightful of these “transcendental actions”. No more regret, emotional hangovers or labyrinthine lies!
Thurs 8am or pick up recording
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After a break over the summer, the Mindsprings Mandala Mail is back. It's a rattle bag of music, books, documentaries and podcasts that I and the Mindsprings community have been listening to and reading this month. Dive in below.
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From our first week looking at the 'transcendental' version of generosity, Dana. What makes it different? And what is the difference between dana and dzinpa? And how might that help avoid the pitfalls of generosity?

#newblogpost wix.to/CJAJV9m

Been re-booting some of the very early blog posts - this one from 2012.
It's some reflections on dissociation and savouring after a retreat at Sutton Courtenay. #dissociation #savouring #mindfulness wix.to/s6MvtG7

NEW BLOG: So after a few technical issues, we're starting our 12-week exploration of the six paramitas. What does that word even mean? And why might these be the key to moving our life from the cushion into the world?
#newblogpost wix.to/bbUtXUY

Thursday mornings these months ahead, we’ll be looking at the “paramitas” or perfections in Buddhism. The qualities that elevate and sanctify our presence in the world. Tomorrow we start looking at generosity or “Dana”

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Thursdays’ Zoom meditations focus on Buddhist themes. And tomorrow we start a new cycle of sessions looking at the “paramitas” or transcendental behaviours that transform a human life: generosity, discipline, patience, effort, meditation and wisdom.
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