Recorded on the final day of Me as Blues Sky Retreat in 2023, this podcast includes Compassion Meditation led by Ven. Ryodo Yamashita, Sudhammacara Bhikku. Guidance on posture preparation and a brief Dharma talk on Compassion are also offered at the outset. Compassion meditation serves as the third part of the One Dharma Meditation Method,Continue reading “One Dharma Method Guided Meditation: Compassion Meditation”
Category Archives: Dharma Talk
One Dharma Method Guided Meditation: Four Elements Meditation and Subtle Body Meditation
This recording delves into the first two steps of the One Dhamra Meditation Method, namely the Four Elements Meditation and Subtle Body Meditation, guided by Ven. Ryodo Yamashita, Sudhammacara Bhikku, on the final day of Me as Blues Sky Retreat in 2023. The session starts with a brief Dharma talk in which Ven. Yamashita deciphersContinue reading “One Dharma Method Guided Meditation: Four Elements Meditation and Subtle Body Meditation”
A Map to a Place Where Mindfulness Exists and How to Get There
To be mindful, you need to undergo a shift—moving from “this world”* to a dimension where awareness exists. When you happened to be mindful, according to Ven. Yamashita, it did not occur as the result of successful control of your mind, but because of the shift, which happened unnoticed and unintentionally. Without understanding this point,Continue reading “A Map to a Place Where Mindfulness Exists and How to Get There”
Total Surrender, Then the ‘Jump’ Happens
The importance of surrender has been one of the most significant themes in religious discussions. But what does it mean to surrender? And what is it to surrender in the context of mindfulness practice? Trying to control, and doing things to achieve specific desires, are inherent to our human nature. How can we stop this? Continue reading “Total Surrender, Then the ‘Jump’ Happens”
Are You Ready for Crossing Over? —Three Essential Elements
The truth that the Buddha discovered, referred to as Dimension X in this retreat, does not exist as a continuation of our ordinary mind. Entering it requires a “jump,” which made it extremely difficult to teach. For this jump to happen, you need to be ready–says Ven. Yamashita. According to him, when he sees practitionersContinue reading “Are You Ready for Crossing Over? —Three Essential Elements”
Retreat, Ego, and Dimension X (aka the Other Shore)
When participating in a retreat like ours, the most significant obstacle is not the pain in your leg but your ego. However, attempting to escape from it or suppress it only deepens the entanglement in ego– judgments, hatred, and reactive responses, qualities that are contrary to mindfulness. Then, what should we do? According to Ven.Continue reading “Retreat, Ego, and Dimension X (aka the Other Shore)”
For your mindfulness practice to work
While our suffering can take many forms, we know our mind is the culprit. Mindfulness can bring an end to it, so we are convinced. However, can meditating with the same mind that causes suffering truly make us mindful? “NO”. says Ven. Yamashita. In this introductory talk, he teaches that real practice won’t start unlessContinue reading “For your mindfulness practice to work”
True Meaning of Mindfulness
December 7th, 2018, Pune, India Day 3 (the last day) of 2018 Zen and Mindfulness Retreat in Vajuradhatu In this final Dharma talk, Ven Yamashita once again lays out what mindfulness truly means. Mindfulness, an impossible attempt for our ordinary mind, and yet the Lord Buddha tasked us to do, is the bridge for usContinue reading “True Meaning of Mindfulness”
Middle Way in a New Light
December 6th, 2018, Pune, India This is the 2nd Dharma Talk given at the 2018 Mindfulness and Zen retreat at Vajradhatu, Pune, India. “The Buddha’s path is your path. Buddhism is about you, and every single one of us. So it is quite important that we understand the Prince Siddhartha’s story as our own”. ByContinue reading “Middle Way in a New Light”
Why subtle body meditation?
December 5th, 2018, Pune, India This is the introductory Dharma Talk given on the 1st day of 2018 Mindfulness and Zen retreat at Vajradhatu, Pune, India. In this talk, Ven. Yamashita explains the reason why we need subtle body meditation, which is the first part of the One Dharma Method. Subtle body meditation is anContinue reading “Why subtle body meditation?”