DharmaDig.com - Stories tagged with Other

Randy Pausch's; A Final Farewell

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 23:16:54 GMT

Professor Pausch sits down with Jeff Zaslow and discusses his turmoil with death and how he's leaving his family.

Religion Vs Dharma

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:48:09 GMT

Hindu Dharma is also known by the names "Sanatana Dharma" and "Vaidik Dharma". "Sanatana" means eternal and all-pervading and "Vaidik Dharma" means the Dharma based on the Vedas. In simple terms, one can say that Dharma means code of conduct, i.e. doing the right thing, in thought, word and deed, having always in mind that behind all our deeds there is a Supreme Being. This is the teaching of the Vedas, which are the original source of our Dharma - "Vedo - Khilo Dharma Moolam."

The Main Tenets of Hinduism

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:46:06 GMT

Hinduism lacks any unified system of beliefs and ideas. It is a phenomenon and represents a broad spectrum of beliefs and practices which on one hand are akin to paganism, pantheism and the like, and on the other very profound, abstract, metaphysical ideas.

The Eye of the Beholder

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:03:22 GMT

We humans are predominantly visual creatures. As every yoga practitioner has discovered, even during practice we find ourselves looking at the pose, outfit, or new hairstyle of the student on the next mat. We stare out the window or at the skin flaking between our toes, as though these things were more interesting than focusing on God realization. And thwack! Where our eyes are directed, our attention follows. Our attention is the most valuable thing we have, and the visible world can be an addictive, overstimulating, and spiritually debilitating lure. The habit of grasping at the world is so widespread that the spiritual teacher Osho coined a term for it: "Kodakomania." If you have any doubt about the power of the visual image and the value of your attention, just think of the billions of dollars the advertising industry spends on photography every year!

Sama Darshana: The Nature of True Equality in Sanatana Dharma

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:19:18 GMT

Beginning with the so-called "Enlightenment" era in European history, the ideological doctrine of radical human egalitarianism has become the most sacrosanct dogma in the realms of both politics and culture. The fight for equality has been the foremost social-political concern globally for the past 250 years, inspiring wars, revolutions, Marxist totalitarianism, genocides, and devastating social upheaval. So central has the concept of Radical Egalitarianism been in the modern political landscape that it has often overshadowed every other political, philosophical, and social concern we can think of.

Who is Your Best Friend?

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:18:00 GMT

Do you have friends? Of course you do! Who doesn't have friends? To even pose such a question would seem silly to many of us. As human beings, most of us are social by nature, and we need to express our need for relationship in the form of our many friends and loved ones. Most of us even have one or two people who we would call our very best friends - people whom we trust completely, and who we know are always there for us in times of trouble. While almost all of us can say that we have truly good friends, however, the truth of the matter is that most of us have no real knowledge about who our truly best of friend really is. The very best friend that we have is the same one whom we tend to ignore the easiest. Indeed, most of us spend much of our lives running away from our very best friend as fast as our little feet can take us. That very best friend in your life is Bhagavan: God. It is God who is not only your very best of friends, but who is responsible for the friends that you do have now.

Embracing the Meaning of Our Human Existence

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:16:57 GMT

Who among us has never, at some contemplative point in our lives or another, asked ourselves the truly big questions, questions about the ultimate meaning of this world, and of our lives in it? Questioning the reason for our human existence is a very natural pursuit on the part of any human being. Indeed, unlike any other species of life, human beings alone have been gifted by God with the unique cognitive ability to engage in self-reflection upon our very own existence as human beings. To be human means to question what it means to be human.

Mind In Flow

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:04:14 GMT

I have just returned home, and it seems sensible to write the report before the memories of the retreat begin to slip away. Yet even by writing about it, the events seem so strange and wonderful that words alone cannot express the sheer depth and vast space that has at times punctuated the practise; the clarity of perception, the long silences that can only be likened to the desert, not a silence that is threatening, but the clear silence that you get at high altitude in the mountains, or the space far out at sea in a small boat. Yet to get there is like treading a maze, a labyrinth of one's own illusions, the tricks of one's own mind, the beliefs and structures that slowly but surely have to be worn down, the conditioning, the expectations, the pain, the deception of one's own ego, the clouding over of events and their true origin, the shunning of responsibility for ones own actions, the lack of humility, respect and repentance. All these are obstacles to the path, the human mind like an otter swimming under water seeking the big fish in a large pool.

Maenllwyd, May 1990

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:00:30 GMT

I arrived at the farmhouse a complete innocent. I had not the faintest idea what I was in for and this was just as well or I would never have come at all! My only expectation was that the scenery would be beautiful. 'Experiencing a Buddhist Retreat' was one of the many adventures I'd decided to undertake. I thought 'It may as well be now'. There were intimations that it would be difficult but I wanted to do a 'proper' retreat and have the 'real' experience. I never intended to do anything as odd as this: sitting in front of a blank wall with a straight back without moving hour after hour after hour. And the breaks weren't real breaks at all! Just a change of mode of the same thing. It was all one long extended happening with absolutely no relief. Oh yes, meals. Thank God for meals. But I'd have exchanged them any day for the deeper nourishment of looking at the scenery. I was shocked, appalled, that it was forbidden. I felt stripped of everything. I felt angry, and then frightened. To have such beauty only the lifting of an eye away, especially when deprived of everything else, felt like utter cruelty. And yet, given that I had landed myself in this catastrophe, I knew that I must give over to the madness and endeavour to do what I was told. I knew that if I cheated I'd have the worst of all worlds, because I also knew that I was not going to quit. I was too proud. The ego has its uses!

Video: Goa Gill - Meditation through trance music

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 03:53:37 GMT

documentary of hippies from goa and the music scene from " the last hippie standing " Goa Gil is Yoga teacher who uses yoga teaching in trance music setting! Cool!

Holographic Universe (Part 1 of 2 ) its all illusion.

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:32:20 GMT

The holographic universe proves that the physical world we believe is real is in fact illusion. Energy fields are decoded by our brains into a 3D picture, to give the illusion of a physical world.

Psychedelics and Religious Experience

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:24:08 GMT

The idea of mystical experiences resulting from drug use is not readily accepted in Western societies. Western culture has, historically, a particular fascination with the value and virtue of man as an individual, self-determining, responsible ego, controlling himself and his world by the power of conscious effort and will. Nothing, then, could be more repugnant to this cultural tradition than the notion of spiritual or psychological growth through the use of drugs. A "drugged" person is by definition dimmed in consciousness, fogged in judgment, and deprived of will. But not all psychotropic (consciousness-changing) chemicals are narcotic and soporific, as are alcohol, opiates, and barbiturates. The effects of what are now called psychedelic (mind-manifesting) chemicals differ from those of alcohol as laughter differs from rage, or delight from depression. There is really no analogy between being "high" on LSD and "drunk" on bourbon. True, no one in either state should drive a car, but neither should one drive while reading a book, playing a violin, or making love. Certain creative activities and states of mind demand a concentration and devotion that are simply incompatible with piloting a death-dealing engine along a highway.

Spiritual Business? Think Again - BigIdea with Donny Deutsch

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:17:37 GMT

Donny Deutsch aproach to business is inspiring and innovative. This is just one program worth to have TV for as there is not much else to watch there... :(

Does music have the power to send us to sleep?

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:47:54 GMT

A recent experiment in Japan tested the power of music to send us into a deep slumber. Leo Lewis stayed awake to test the results.

Nung Chan Monastery celebrates Vesak Festival

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:27:07 GMT

On the morning of 10 May 2008, Nung Chan Monastery of Dharma Drum Mountain hosted a 'gratitude' themed celebration as part of the annual Vesak Festival. Despite the inclement weather on the day, devotees and their family and friends arrived in strong numbers for the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. This was done as a blessing for all parents and in recognition of practitioners' vows to purify their minds. The party also featured many other fun activities to cater for people of all ages including dancing, karaoke, puzzle games and healthy vegetarian food. In celebration of Mother's Day, many children wrote their loving blessings on cards and hung them on the Wishing Tree, symbolizing their wishes of peace and happiness for their parents. Free medical advice and services for elderly people living in the vicinity of the monastery were generously provided by staff from local clinics and hospitals.

Venerable Guo Dong Prays for Cyclone-hit Victims at Vesak Ceremony

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:25:11 GMT

On the morning of 11 May 2008, the Anhe Branch Monastery of Dharma Drum Mountain in Taipei hosted the Vesak Ceremony at the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall. The Abbot President, Venerable Guo Dong, the Sangha community and the new-elected Vice President, Vincent Siew, were all present at the assembly to pray for cyclone-hit victims in Burma and to celebrate the Vesak Festival. Following an introduction on Vesak , Venerable Guo Dong asked every participant to pray for those who died in the devastating cyclone Nargis which hit Burma on 3 May, so that they may rest in peace. This is a compassionate action being put into practice, exemplifying Venerable Master Sheng Yen's idea of "uplifting the character of humanity and building the pure land on earth".

The second DDM Relief Team to depart for Burma on 25 May

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:21:30 GMT

The United Nations (UN) has warned that 70% of the disaster victims in Burma will face food shortage and have pledged the assistance of the international community. The UN has also pleaded with the Burmese government to relax its rules and let international relief organisations and relief supplies enter the disaster areas. The Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation (DDMSWCF) made a decision on 21 May that it will again dispatch a relief team to Burma to assist disaster victims by providing food, water and medical supplies.

DDM's Second Medical Relief Team Departs for Earthquake-struck Sichuan

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:19:49 GMT

The first team of medical professionals will return home on 23 May as scheduled. However, after accessing the situation, Venerable Guo Pin and five other members have made the decision to stay on and remain in the shelter compound. This decision was based on the need of the survivors for ongoing care. The second team led by Dr Pan Wenzhong is due to arrive at the disaster zone on 24 May to continue providing ongoing medical care. The medical professionals in this second team have ample experience in emergency relief and covers areas of pediatrics, gynecology, surgery and general medicine.

Chan and Psychoanalysis

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:07:36 GMT

Question: How is Chan similar or different from psychotherapy? Is the relationship between student and Master similar to that of patient and therapist? Shifu: There are similarities and differences. The goals of Chan are to eliminate ignorance and vexation, to see in to one's self nature and to realize bodhi. We can say the goal of psychotherapy is to eliminate or alleviate a persons internal conflicts, confusion, contradictions and sense of helplessness, etc. Thus they are similar in that they address issues of the mind, and that their goal is to help people come to a level of clarity. The difference is in the degree of clarity. Psychology doesn't speak of self-nature and spiritual awakening. It tries to help a person become more stable and to understand and deal with his or her problems. If therapy is successful a person can become somewhat wiser and happier.

Path of Righteousness

Sat, 31 May 2008 16:53:58 GMT

As described by the Hindu scriptures, Dharma is the path of righteousness and living one's life according to the codes of conduct . Anything that helps human being to reach god is dharma and anything that hinders human being from reaching god is adharma. The essence of dharma lies in possessing a certain ability, power and spiritual strength. It is also attaining one's supreme spiritual level and feeling of contentment and joy within the society. The practice of dharma gives an experience of peace, joy, strength and tranquillity within one's self and makes life disciplined.

Lavitating trains and cars will become reality soon! Already designed!

Sat, 31 May 2008 04:11:15 GMT

"Since the late '60s, scientists have been designing, building and operating "flying trains," or magnetically levitated ("Maglev") systems. However, the sci-fi-like technology still faces challenges for increased stability, controllability and cost-effectiveness - but scientists are making steady improvements."

China's Maglev Train Breakthrough for Green Transportation

Sat, 31 May 2008 04:09:28 GMT

The magnetically levitated train (or maglev train)is a "green transportation" breakthrough for urban traffic problems. China's research organization for maglev trains recently unveiled its magnetic engine, along with plans for China's first permanent maglev train line in the development zone of Dalian

The Missing Secrets Of Nikola Tesla

Sat, 31 May 2008 03:50:47 GMT

Nikola Tesla was a world-renowned Serb-American inventor, physicist, mechanical engineer and electrical engineer. Tesla is regarded as one of the most important inventors in history. Tesla was regarded as a mad scientist and became noted for making bizarr

Man robs underwear stores believing he was a female elf

Sat, 31 May 2008 03:35:03 GMT

A man accused of robbing a Belfast lingerie shop at knifepoint has fallen back on a time honoured defence - namely, his claim that he believed he was a female elf at the time.

5 Reasons Not to Drink Bottled Water

Sat, 31 May 2008 03:11:31 GMT

No healthier than tap water, Bottled water means garbage, Bottled water isn't a good value...