Dharma Reflections

Know Thyself is not enough. Know the Other as well

Dharma Reflections / Christopher / October 18, 2016

The Inquirer

(Sutta 147 in Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha)

I gave a commentary on The Inquirer, a talk of the Buddha last week during our Dharma Enquiry Programme at the Waldhaus Buddhist Centre, near Andernacht, Bonn, Germany. The Buddha regularly encouraged mindfulness/inquiry to be directed towards others, as much as oneself.

The Buddhist tradition and other mind/body traditions have emphasised the inner, often at the expense of outer mindfulness/inquiry of another(s). The willingness to work to transform the outer can heal wounds, be deeply therapeutic and develop empowerment through action. …

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What is Enlightenment? A Definitive Statement

HEADINGS

The concept ‘Enlightenment’

Views on Enlightenment

Our Potential for an Enlightened Life …

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Nagarjuna’s Masterpiece of Enquiry: Fundamentals of the Middle Way. Chapter One

Dharma Reflections, The Buddha, Spiritual / Christopher / July 16, 2016

Chapter One

Examination of Conditions.

Plus brief Commentary on the 14 verses in Chapter One.

Dear Readers

There is no assurance you will understand these verses of Nagarjuna nor my commentary. …

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The Sense of Belonging and Living on the Edge

Dharma Reflections, The Buddha, Spiritual / Christopher / June 28, 2016

Human beings sometimes engage in a deep search for a sense of belonging. The formation of an identity with the ‘other’ fulfils a certain need running deeper than the movements of feelings. We might think of this sense as a gut instinct to connect with a presence of the ‘other’ rather than confinement to our mortal self.

We have devised all sorts of formations of the collective to satisfy this need, this rather primal urge, to feel engaged with a group, network or collective with shared values and priorities.

…

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