Deep Listening: NMC Audio Dharma

14 Verses On Meditation

Tue, 4 Aug 2009 14:27:46 -0500

Deep Listening: NMC Audio Dharma “14 Verses On Meditation”
Read by Skip Ewing. Visit: www.NashvilleMindfulness.org

Recorded at the Nashville Mindfulness Center
For more specific practice instruction and information, please visit: http://www.nashvillemindfulness.org/NMC/Deep_Listening__NMC_Audio_Dharma/Deep_Listening__NMC_Audio_Dharma.html

Ten Noble Breaths (Guided Meditation)

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 15:12:41 -0500

Deep Listening: NMC Audio Dharma “Ten Noble Breaths”
Read by Skip Ewing. Visit: www.NashvilleMindfulness.org

Recorded at the Nashville Mindfulness Center
For more specific practice instruction and information, please visit: http://www.nashvillemindfulness.org/NMC/Ten_Noble_Breaths.html

Breathing In, i know i am breathing in.
Breathing Out, i know i am breathing out.
In - Out

Breathing In, my breath grows deep.
Breathing Out, my breath grows slow.
Deep - Slow

Breathing In, i feel calm.
Breathing Out, i feel at ease.
Calm - Ease

Breathing In, i smile.
Breathing Out, i release.
Smile - Release

Breathing In, i dwell in the present moment.
Breathing Out, i know it is a wonderful moment.
Present Moment - Wonderful Moment

5 Earth Touchings

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:17:24 -0500

Deep Listening: NMC Audio Dharma “5 Earth Touchings”
Read by Skip Ewing. Visit: www.NashvilleMindfulness.org

How to practice:
Begin in a standing position with your palms joined in the shape of a lotus bud at the level of your heart...

“In gratitude i bow to all generations of ancestors in my blood family.”
(One sound of the bell)

When You hear the bell following the first sentence, make your first bow or prostration by touching the earth deeply with all 5 limbs: your knees, your arms, and your forehead.

Remain touching the Earth for the duration of the reading on ancestors in our blood families. Stand up slowly during the three sounds of the bell following the sentence that reads:

“. . . I ask my ancestors for their support, protection, and strength.”
(Three sounds of the bell)

Continue in like fashion, bowing to touch the earth again after:

“In gratitude i bow to all generations of ancestors in my spiritual family.”
(One sound of the bell)

And so on...

Discourse On Happiness

Sun, 24 May 2009 09:30:36 -0500

Deep Listening: NMC Audio Dharma “Discourse On Happiness”
Read by Skip Ewing. Visit: www.NashvilleMindfulness.org

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when the Lord was living in the vicinity of Savatthi at the Anathapindika Monastery in the Jeta Grove. Late at night, a deva appeared whose light and beauty made the whole Jeta Grove shine radiantly. After paying respects to the Buddha, the deva asked him a question in the form of a verse:

“Many gods and men are eager to know
what are the greatest blessings
which bring about a peaceful and happy life.
Please, Tathagata, will You teach us?”

(This is the Buddha’s answer):

“Not to be associated with the foolish ones,
to live in the company of wise people,
honoring those who are worth honoring —
this is the greatest happiness.

“To live in a good environment,
to have planted good seeds,
and to realize that you are on the right path —
this is the greatest happiness.

“To have a chance to learn and grow,
to be skillful in your profession or craft,
practicing the precepts and loving speech —
this is the greatest happiness.

“To be able to serve and support your parents,
to cherish your own family
to have a vocation that brings you joy —
this is the greatest happiness.

“To live honestly, generous in giving,
to offer support to relatives and friends,
living a life of blameless conduct —
this is the greatest happiness.

“To avoid unwholesome actions,
not caught by alcoholism or drugs,
and to be diligent in doing good things —
this is the greatest happiness.

“To be humble and polite in manner,
to be grateful and content with a simple life,
not missing the occasion to learn the Dharma —
this is the greatest happiness.

“To persevere and be open to change,
to have regular contact with monks and nuns,
and to fully participate in Dharma discussions —
this is the greatest happiness.

“To live diligently and attentively,
to perceive the Noble Truths,
and to realize Nirvana —
this is the greatest happiness.

“To live in the world
with your heart undisturbed by the world,
with all sorrows ended, dwelling in peace —
this is the greatest happiness.

“For he or she who accomplishes this,
unvanquished wherever she goes,
always he is safe and happy —
happiness lives within oneself.”

Mahamangala Sutta, Sutta Nipata I

Discourse On The Teachings To Be Given To The Sick

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 09:30:57 -0500

Deep Listening: NMC Audio Dharma “Discourse On The Teachings To Be Given To The Sick”
Read by Skip Ewing. Visit: www.NashvilleMindfulness.org

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when the Lord was staying in the monastery in the Jeta Grove in Anathapindika’s park, near Shravasti. At that time the householder Anathapindika was seriously ill. When the Venerable Shariputra was told this, he immediately went to Ananda and said, “Brother Ananda, let us go and visit the layman Anathapindika.” The Venerable Ananda replied, “Yes, let us go now.”
The Venerable Ananda put on his robe, took his bowl, and went into the town of Shravasti with the Venerable Shariputra to make the alms round. Ananda walked behind Shariputra, stopping at every house until they came to the house of the layman Anathapindika, and they went in to visit him. After he had sat down, the Venerable Shariputra asked the layman Anathapindika, “How is your illness? Is it getting better or worse? Is the physical pain easing at all or is it getting greater?” The householder Anathapindika replied, “Venerable monks, it does not seem to be getting better. The pain is not easing. It is getting greater all the time.” Shariputra said, “Friend Anathapindika, now is the time to practice the meditation on the Three Jewels, the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
“The Buddha has gone to Suchness, is fully and truly awakened, has perfected understanding and action, has arrived at true happiness, understands the nature of the world, is unequalled in understanding, has conquered the afflictions of human beings, is a teacher of gods and humans, and is the Awakened One, the one who liberates the world.
“The Dharma is the teaching of love and understanding that the Tathagata has expounded. It is deep and lovely, worthy of the highest respect, and very precious. It is a teaching that cannot be compared to ordinary teachings. It is a path of practice for the Noble Ones.
“The Sangha is the community of practice, guided by the teachings of the Awakened One. The community is in harmony, and within it all aspects of the practice can be realized. The community is respected and precious. It practices the precepts and realizes concentration, insight, and liberation. Offerings made to the Sangha are very beneficial.
“Friend Anathapindika, if you meditate in this way on the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, the beneficial effects are beyond measure. Meditating in this way, you can destroy the obstacles of wrong deeds and the afflictions. You can harvest a fruit that is as fresh and sweet as the balm of compassion. A woman or a man practicing an upright way of life who knows how to meditate on the Three Jewels will have no chance of falling into the three lower realms but will be reborn as a human or a god.
“Friend Anathapindika, now is the time to practice the meditation on the Six Sense Bases:

“These eyes are not me. I am not caught in these eyes.
“These ears are not me. I am not caught in these ears.
“This nose is not me. I am not caught in this nose.
“This tongue is not me. I am not caught in this tongue.
“This body is not me. I am not caught in this body.
“This mind is not me. I am not caught in this mind.

“Now continue your meditation with the Six Sense Objects:

“These forms are not me. I am not caught in these forms.
“These sounds are not me. I am not caught in these sounds.
“These smells are not me. I am not caught in these smells.
“These tastes are not me. I am not caught in these tastes.
“These contacts with the body are not me. I am not caught in these
contacts with the body.
“These thoughts are not me. I am not caught in these thoughts.

“Now continue your meditation on the Six Sense Consciousnesses:

“Sight is not me. I am not caught in sight.
“Hearing is not me. I am not caught in hearing.
“Consciousness based on the nose is not me. I am not caught in the
consciousness based on the nose.
“Consciousness based on the tongue is not me. I am not caught in the
consciousness based on the tongue.
“Consciousness based on the body is not me. I am not caught in
consciousness based on the body.
“Consciousness based on the mind is not me. I am not caught in
consciousness based on the mind.

“Now continue your meditation on the Six Elements:

“The earth element is not me. I am not caught in the earth element.
“The water element is not me. I am not caught in the water element.
“The fire element is not me. I am not caught in the fire element.
“The air element is not me. I am not caught in the air element.
“The space element is not me. I am not caught in the space element.
“The consciousness element is not me. I am not caught in the
consciousness element.

“Now continue your meditation on the Five Aggregates:

“Form is not me. I am not limited by the form aggregate.
“Feelings are not me. I am not limited by the feeling aggregate.
“Perceptions are not me. I am not limited by the perception aggregate.
“Mental formations are not me. I am not limited by the mental
formation aggregate.
“Consciousness is not me. I am not limited by the consciousness
aggregate.

“Now continue your meditation on the Three Times:

“The past is not me. I am not limited by the past.
“The present is not me. I am not limited by the present.
“The future is not me. I am not limited by the future.

“Friend Anathapindika, everything that arises is due to causes and conditions. Everything that is has the nature not to be born and not die, not to arrive and not to depart. When eyes arise, they arise, but they do not come from anywhere. When eyes cease to be, they cease to be, but they do not go anywhere. Eyes are neither nonexistent before they arise, nor are they existent after they arise. Everything that is comes to be because of a combination of causes and conditions. When the causes and condition are sufficient, eyes are present. When the causes and conditions are not sufficient, eyes are absent. The same is true of ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind; form, sound, smell, taste, touch, and thought; sight, hearing, and the consciousnesses based on the nose, tongue, body, and mind; the Six Elements, the Five Aggregates, and the Three Times.
“In the Five Aggregates there is nothing that we can call ‘I,’ a ‘person,’ or a ‘soul.’ Ignorance is the inability to see this truth. Because there is ignorance, there are mistaken impulses. Because there are mistaken impulses, there is mistaken consciousness. Because there is mistaken consciousness, there is the distinction between the perceiver and the perceived. Because there is the distinction between the perceiver and the perceived, there is the distinction between the six organs and the six objects of sense. Because there is the distinction between the six organs and the six objects of sense, there is contact. Because there is contact, there is feeling. Because there is feeling, there is thirst. Because there is thirst, there is grasping. Because there is grasping, there is becoming. Because there is becoming, there are birth, death, and the subsequent pain and grief.
“Friend Anathapindika, you have meditated that everything that arises is due to causes and conditions and does not have a separate self. That is called ‘the meditation on emptiness.’ It is the highest and most profound meditation.”
When he had practiced to this point, the layman Anathapindika began to cry. Venerable Ananda asked him, “Friend, why are you crying? Has your meditation not been successful? Do you have some regret?” The layman Anathapindika replied, “Venerable Ananda, I do not regret anything. The meditation has been most successful. I am crying because I am so deeply moved. I have been fortunate to have been able to serve the Buddha and his community for many years, yet I have never heard a teaching so wonderful and precious as the teaching transmitted by the Venerable Shariputra today.”
Then the venerable Ananda said to the layman Anathapindika, “Do you not know, friend, that the Buddha often gives this teaching to bhikshus and bhikshunis?” The layman Anathapindika replied, “Venerable Ananda, please tell the Buddha that there are also laypeople with the capacity to listen, understand, and put into practice these deep and wonderful teachings.”
After hearing Shariputra’s instructions and meditating accordingly, Anathapindika felt free and at ease. The Venerables Shariputra and Ananda bade him farewell and went back to the monastery, and Anathapindika passed away and was born in the thirty-third heaven.

Ekottara Agama LI, 8
(In consultation with Majjhima Nikaya 143
and Madhyama Agama 26.)

The Elder Discourse

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 09:30:22 -0500

Deep Listening: NMC Audio Dharma “The Elder Discourse”
Read by Skip Ewing. Visit: www.NashvilleMindfulness.org

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when the Lord was staying at the monastery in the Jeta Grove, in the town of Shravasti. At that time there was a monk named Thera (Elder), who always preferred to be alone. Whenever he could, he praised the practice of living alone. He sought alms alone and sat in meditation alone.
One time a group of bhikshus came to the Lord, paid their respect by prostrating at his feet, stepped to one side, sat down at a distance and said, “Blessed One, there is an elder by the name of Thera who only wants to be alone. He always praises the practice of living alone. He goes into the village alone to seek alms, returns home from the village alone, and sits in meditation alone.”
The Lord Buddha told one of the bhikshus, “Please go to the place where the monk Thera lives and tell him I wish to see him.”
The bhikshu obeyed. When the monk Thera heard the Buddha’s wishes, he came without delay, prostrated at the feet of the Buddha, stepped to one side, and sat down at a distance. Then the Blessed One asked the monk Thera, “Is it true that you prefer to be alone, praise the life of solitude, go for alms alone, come back from the village alone, and sit in meditation alone?”
The monk Thera replied, “It is true, Blessed One.”
Buddha asked the monk Thera, “How do you live alone?”
The monk Thera replied, “I live alone; no one else lives with me. I praise the practice of being alone. I go for alms alone, and I come back from the village alone. I sit in meditation alone. That is all.”
The Buddha taught the monk as follows, “It is obvious that you like the practice of living alone. I do not want to deny that, but I want to tell you that there is a more wonderful and profound way to be alone. It is the way of deep observation in order to see that the past no longer exists and the future has not yet come, and to dwell at ease in the present moment, free from desire. When a person lives in this way, he has no hesitation in his heart. He gives up all anxieties and regrets, lets go of all binding desires, and cuts the fetters which prevent him from being free. This is called ‘the better way to live alone.’ There is no more wonderful way of being alone than this.”
Then the Blessed One recited this gatha:

“Observing life deeply,
it is possible to clearly see all that is.
Not enslaved by anything,
it is possible to put aside all craving,
resulting in a life of peace and joy.
This is truly to live alone.”

Hearing the Lord’s words, the monk Thera was delighted. He prostrated respectfully to the Buddha and departed.

Samyukta Agama 1071
(The equivalent in the Pali Canon is
Theranamo Sutta, Samyutta Nikaya 11,282.)

Deep Healing (Guided Meditation)

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 09:30:42 -0600

Deep Listening: NMC Audio Dharma “Deep Healing” (Guided Meditation)
Read by Skip Ewing. Visit: www.NashvilleMindfulness.org
A 25 minute guided meditation from The Nashville Mindfulness Center offering us insight into our true nature and encouraging us to live mindfully and joyfully.

Please be patient. Since it is a 25 minute audio file it may take a few minutes to load. Perhaps You might enjoy your breathing in and out a few times while You wait. :-)

Breathing in, i know i am breathing in.
Breathing out, i know i am breathing out.
In. Out.

Aware that i am of the nature to grow ill, i breathe in.
Aware that there is no escaping the nature of growing ill, i breathe out.
Of the nature to grow ill. No escape.

Breathing in, i am aware that i am of the nature to grow old.
Breathing out. i am aware that there is no escaping old age.
Of the nature to grow old. No escape.

Aware that i am of the nature to die, i breathe in.
Aware that there is no escaping death, i breathe out.
Of the nature to die. No escape.

Aware that all things i cherish today will be taken from me, i breathe in.
Knowing there is no escaping the loss of all that i cherish, i breathe out.
The loss of all that i cherish. No escape.

Aware that my actions are my only true possessions, i breathe in.
Aware that there is no escaping the consequences of my actions, i breathe out.
Actions my only possessions. No escaping the consequences.

Breathing in, i vow to live mindfully each and every day, each and every moment.
Breathing out. i am aware of the joy of living mindfully each and every day, each and every moment.
Living mindfully. Aware of the Joy.

Breathing in, i vow to offer joy to my beloveds each and every day, each and every moment.
Breathing out, i vow to ease the pain of my beloveds, to ease their suffering.
Offering joy. Easing pain and suffering.

Breathing in, i know i am breathing in.
Breathing out, i know i am breathing out.
In. Out.

Nourishing Happiness

Thu, 1 Jan 2009 17:37:42 -0600

Deep Listening: NMC Audio Dharma “Nourishing Happiness”
Read by Skip Ewing. Visit: www.NashvilleMindfulness.org

Sitting here in this moment, protected by the Sangha,
my happiness is clear and alive.
What a great fortune to have been born a human,
to encounter the Dharma,
to be in harmony with others,
and to water the mind of love
in this beautiful garden of practice.

(When reading as a sangha, You might enjoy inviting a bell here.)

The energies of the Sangha and mindfulness trainings
are protecting and helping me not make mistakes
or be swept along in darkness by unwholesome seeds.
With kind spiritual friends, i am on the path of goodness,
illumined by the light of Buddhas and bodhisattvas.

Although seeds of suffering are still in me
in the form of afflictions and habit energies,
mindfulness is also there, helping me touch
what is most wonderful within and around me.

i can still enjoy mindfulness of the six senses:
my eyes look peacefully upon the clear blue sky,
my ears listen with wonder to the songs of birds,
my nose smells the rich scent of sandalwood,
my tongue tastes the nectar of the Dharma,
my posture is upright, stable, and relaxed,
and my mind is one with my body.

If there were not a World-Honored One*,
if there were not the wonderful Dharma
if there were not a harmonious Sangha,
i would not be so fortunate
to enjoy this Dharma happiness today.

My resources for practice are my own peace and joy.
i vow to cultivate and nourish them with daily mindfulness.
For my ancestors, family, future generations,
and the whole of humanity, i vow to practice well.

In my society i know that there are countless people suffering,
drowned in sensual pleasure, jealousy and hatred.
i am determined to take care of my own mental formations,
to learn the art of deep listening and using loving speech
in order to encourage communication and understanding
and to be able to accept and love.

Practicing the actions of a bodhisattva,
i vow to look with eyes of love and a heart of understanding.
i vow to listen with a clear mind and ears of compassion,
bringing peace and joy into the lives of others,
to lighten and alleviate the suffering of living beings.

i am aware that ignorance and wrong perceptions
can turn this world into a fiery hell.
i vow to walk always upon the path of transformation,
producing understanding and loving kindness.
i will be able to cultivate a garden of awakening.

Although there are birth, sickness, old age, and death,
now that i have a path of practice, i have nothing more to fear.
It is a great happiness to be alive in the Sangha
with the practice of mindfulness trainings and concentration,
to live every moment in stability and freedom,
to take part in the work of relieving others’ suffering,
the career of Buddhas and bodhisattvas.

In each precious moment, i am filled with deep gratitude.
i bow before the World-Honored One.
Please bear witness to my wholehearted gratitude,
embracing all beings with arms of great compassion.

Closing the Sutra
Reciting the sutras, practicing the way of awareness
Gives rise to benefits without limit.
We vow to share the fruits with all beings.
We vow to offer tribute to parents, teachers,
Friends, and numerous beings
Who give guidance and support along the path.

*In the Buddhist scriptures translated into English from the Chinese, bhagavat (Sanskrit) was interpreted as “World-Honored One.” In other translations, “Blessed One.” World-Honored One is one of the ten honorable titles of a Buddha. It may be that this title reflects the fact that a Buddha is revered in this world and all others in time and space that may exist. i would offer that it is important to note that titles such as these are and were offered to honor our teacher(s), not to worship him as a deity in any way. i like to keep in mind as i read texts and sutras containing many references and what might be referred to respectfully as “poetic language” that many titles, pictures, and stories were offered as skillful means to encourage and support practitioners of the time in a way they understood and to which they responded. The way we communicate with one another has evolved dramatically and we should care for our thought processes such that we are not “put-off” by these titles and references. The heart of the teachings remains as truth, regardless of variants in translations, vernacular, and/or colloquialisms. i can only imagine how someone living in India 2600 years ago might react to the idioms and customary speech of our time. - Skip

Discourse on Love

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:30:28 -0600

Deep Listening: NMC Audio Dharma “Discourse on Love”
(Metta Sutta, Sutta Nipata I)
Read by Skip Ewing. Visit: www.NashvilleMindfulness.org

“He or she who wants to attain peace should practice being upright, humble, and capable of using loving speech. He or she will know how to live simply and happily, with senses calmed, without being covetous and carried away by the emotions of the majority. Let him or her not do anything that will be disapproved of by the wise ones.
“(And this is what he or she contemplates):
“May everyone be happy and safe, and may their hearts be filled with joy.
“May all beings live in security and in peace—beings who are frail or strong, tall or short, big or small, visible or not visible, near or faraway, already born, or yet to be born. May all of them dwell in perfect tranquillity.
“Let no one do harm to anyone. Let no one put the life of anyone in danger. Let no one, out of anger or ill will, wish anyone any harm.
“Just as a mother loves and protects her only child at the risk of her own life, we should cultivate boundless love to offer to all living beings in the entire cosmos. We should let our boundless love pervade the whole universe, above, below, and across. Our love will know no obstacles. Our heart will be absolutely free from hatred and enmity. Whether standing or walking, sitting or lying, as long as we are awake, we should maintain this mindfulness of love in our own heart. This is the noblest way of living.
“Free from wrong views, greed, and sensual desires, living in beauty and realizing Perfect Understanding, those who practice boundless love will certainly transcend birth and death.”

Reciting the sutras, practicing the way of awareness
Gives rise to benefits without limit.
We vow to share the fruits with all beings.
We vow to offer tribute to parents, teachers,
Friends, and numerous beings
Who give guidance and support along the path.