Monthly Archives: November 2023

New Novel Publication

Our newest publication, The Unborn Odyssey: A Novel, is out now and is available for sale at Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Unborn-Odyssey-Novel-Vajragoni-Bodhi/dp/B0CMJHB35J read more

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Acquiescence

Meister Eckhart, the renowned Rhineland Mystic, had a unique way of expressing the opening of the dark principle. He once said, “Seek God, so as never to find him.” This statement is profound and full of dharma-delight. It suggests that if one is trying to capture the essence of the Absolute Unknowable, which is often referred to as God, then it will constantly elude their efforts. read more

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A Change of Heart

Metanoia, a Greek term, refers to a profound transformation that occurs within an individual, a complete change of heart that takes place deep within the recesses of consciousness. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus the Christ explains that unless one undergoes this inward conversion and becomes childlike, they will not be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The Lankavatara Sutra also describes this radical inner conversion as a sudden awakening within the dormant bodhimind of the aspiring adept. In the practice of Unbornmind Zen, the concept of becoming childlike resonates with the idea that the dormant bodhiseed gradually develops into the bodhichild, the developing bodhisattva, who turns away from defiled sensory experiences and begins the process of rediscovering its true essential nature in the Unborn Buddha Mind. read more

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The Two Principles

In the Surangama Sutra, the Buddha imparts his wisdom to Ananda regarding the two fundamental principles. These principles align with what we, in the UnbornMind Zen tradition, refer to as the two core principles. The first principle is the moving principle, which involves becoming attached and dependent on all perceptual movements within the realm of phenomena. It encompasses the ever-changing nature of our experiences and the constant flux of the world around us. read more

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Right View

In the realm of Buddhism, there exists a noble pursuit, a quest to perceive the world in its unadulterated form, devoid of any distortions or illusions. This pursuit is known as Yathabhutam, a profound endeavor to truly “see” the essence of Reality as it truly is, stripped of any superficial manifestations. However, it seems that within the contemporary Buddhist landscape, this timeless wisdom has been forgotten, overshadowed by a rampant wave of spiritual materialism. This misguided approach, centered around self-indulgence and human-centered ideologies, has led many astray from the path of true enlightenment. It begs the question, can anyone awaken from this delusion and recognize the inherent absurdity of this paradoxical notion? It is truly foolish to equate the spiritual with the material, and those who do so fail to grasp the essence of Buddhism itself. Yet, this distorted perspective has become the prevailing ideology in modern Buddhism, replacing the profound teachings of the Buddhadharma with shallow and superficial notions of holistic development. In reality, this approach only serves to imprison the spirit within the chains of material desires, constantly bombarding us with the allure of sensual gratification, a constant reminder of our entrapment. read more

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Aloneness

Aloneness and loneliness are two contrasting experiences that often get misunderstood. Loneliness is characterized by a deep yearning for companionship, a desperate cry for someone to be there to alleviate the feeling of emptiness. However, this longing is ultimately futile because even if someone is present, the cycle of loneliness can start anew if they were to leave. This is particularly evident in the lives of married couples, where the death of one spouse can leave the other feeling the unbearable absence of their love, questioning the purpose of life itself. read more

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A Farewell

Agnes turned to me with a solemn expression on her face. She informed me that Evan would be speaking with me presently and asked me to brace myself for what he had to say. My heart sank as I realized that this was going to be a difficult conversation. Agnes explained that Evan had to take leave of me now and remain for an unforeseeable time in the Temple of the Black Dragons. read more

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The Reunion

After the grand ceremony of initiation, Pamela found herself in one of the exquisite ante-rooms of the temple. The air was filled with a sense of serenity and anticipation, as if the very walls were whispering ancient secrets. It was in this hallowed space that she unexpectedly crossed paths with Agnes; the sight of Agnes filled Pamela’s heart with immense joy, for she had always admired her wisdom and grace. read more

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