How do I find a good meditation teacher?

How do I find a good meditation teacher? - Shinzen Young
Shinzen speaks to the question "How do I find a good meditation teacher." Shinzen talks about the activity of teaching as subtle teaching, descriptive teaching, and explicit teaching. Filmed at Mt. Carmel Spiritual Centre in Niagara Falls.

Youtube

Enlightened Society - Chögyam Trungpa

Enlightened Society - Chögyam Trungpa
In an open forum, The Venerable Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, (1939-1987) discusses a society guided by the principles of wisdom and compassion. He was a pioneer in bringing the Tibetan Buddhist teachings to North America, Europe and in 1976 introduced Shambhala.

Youtube

The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch

The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch - John R. McRae
The Platform Sutra records the teachings of Hui-neng, the Sixth Patriarch, who is revered as one of the two great figures in the founding of Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism. This translation is the definitive English version of the eighth-century Ch'an classic. Phillip B. Yampolsky has based his translation on the Tun-huang manuscript, the earliest extant version of the work. A critical edition of the Chinese text is given at the end of the volume. Dr. Yampolsky also furnishes a lengthy and detailed historical introduction which contains much information hitherto unavailable even to scholars, and provides the context essential to an understanding of Hui-neng's work. He gives an account of the history and legends of Ch'an Buddhism, with particular attention to the traditions associated with Hui-neng, quoting or summarizing the most important narratives. He then discusses the various texts of the Platform Sutra, and analyzes its contents.

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Zen 24/7: All Zen, All the Time - Philip T. Sudo

Zen 24/7: All Zen, All the Time - Philip T. Sudo
If you're searching for revelation and contentment, look no further than a handshake, a cup of coffee -- even your laundry pile. The most mundane details of life contain zen's profound truths, if you're of the mind to look for them.

By awakening to and embracing the zen in your life, you'll listen, watch, eat, work, laugh, sleep, and breathe your way to truth -- every moment of every day.

Philip Toshio Sudo has found Zen in the unlikeliest of places and has written about them: Zen Guitar, Zen Sex, and Zen Computer. Now, in Zen 24/7, it's Zen everything. But if it's true that being mindful in every moment is the heart of Zen, then everything is Zen. Taking just this approach, Sudo walks readers through a full day, from alarm clock to bedtime, stopping to ruminate on how the most mundane things, from a beer to a meeting to the dry cleaners, can remind us of bits of Zen wisdom. A Zen flag reminds us that it is the mind that moves; Zen fuzzy dice remind us to flow with traffic; a Zen mall reminds us to reduce desires; Zen sleep reminds us that every day's a good day. As in the best Zen writing, Sudo's observations are breezy but packed with genuine insight. There is a bit of sly humor and lots of encouragement, as if each page were a daily affirmation. This is a book to read through once, then pick up often for reminders, especially the page on Zen shopping, which you'll want to post on your refrigerator.

Rapidshare

Don't Bite The Hook - Pema Chodron

Don't Bite The Hook - Pema Chodron
Life has a way of provoking us with traffic jams and computer malfunctions, with emotionally distant partners and crying children—and before we know it, we're upset. We feel terrible, and then we end up saying and doing things that only make matters worse. But it doesn't have to be that way, says Pema Chödrön. It is possible to relate constructively to the inevitable shocks, losses, and frustrations of life so that we can find true happiness. The key, Pema explains, is not biting the "hook" of our habitual responses. In this recorded weekend retreat, Pema draws on Buddhist teachings from The Way of the Bodhisattva to reveal how we can:stay centered in the midst of difficulty improve stressful relationships step out of the downward spiral of self-hatred awaken compassion for ourselves and others.

Demonoid

Life at the Abbey with Pema Chodron

Life at the Abbey with Pema Chodron
Pema Chödrön discusses life at Gampo Abbey.

A Western Buddhist Monastery in the Shambhala Tradition, Nova Scotia, Canada. Founded by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1984, it is a lineage institution of Shambhala and a corporate division of the Vajradhatu Buddhist Church of Canada.

Under the spiritual direction of the Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, the spiritual head of Shambhala International, Gampo Abbey is guided by our abbot the Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche and our principal teacher Acharya Pema Chödrön.

YouTube

Sacred Tibetan Chants from the Great Prayer Festival

Sacred Tibetan Chants from the Great Prayer Festival - Tibetan Monks Of Drepung Loseling Monastery
An ample and well-written text details the purpose behind these ritual chants, among which a rare cycle is heard in its entirety. The remoteness of Tibet created and preserved a musical practice which is absolutely unique. For those familiar with Tibetan chanting, it will be a welcome offering to hear the chanting from this once-vital monastery. Once being the keyword, as the text underscores the genocide and destruction vented on the peaceful Tibetean nation by the occupying Chinese, a horrific tragedy which continues... The monastery, or better, its survivors, went into exile in India.

BTJunkie