East West Wisdoms

It’s all about perception!

Jacqui — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 05:42:35 +0000

There are days when it all changes. Suddenly a new view is born! So there I was, basking in the sun and lazily contemplating a bird in the tree a little way from me. As I was enjoying its song and antics as it searched for food, I suddenly realised that the bird’s perception of [...]

The power of belief

Jacqui — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:15:54 +0000

I have recently found myself musing about the amazing power of belief, particularly belief in a religion or guiding philosophy of life. Freud, for example, wondered at how men willingly die to “protect a scrap of cloth” (their country’s flag). We are called to sign up to fight for “God, King and Country” and ‘God’ [...]

Attending to relationships more helpful than focus on emptiness!

Jacqui — Mon, 10 May 2010 06:06:30 +0000

We may not be solid, separate entities but we sure are moving in an ocean of relationships! We are communities of interbeing, on every level of our experience, inner and outer, and the great delusion is the belief that we are isolated, alone and out-of-place in our world. We are most subject to this delusion when [...]

Searching out spiritual ‘Ripe Bananas’

Jacqui — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 08:05:00 +0000

Some years ago, an esteemed spiritual teacher advised a distressed student, struggling with lack of self esteem and confidence, to “go and find some ripe bananas” [people with the qualities she wanted to embody] to spend time with. She explained how green bananas ripen faster when put next to ripe bananas and that this is [...]

Pain Relief Through The Power of Ignoring

Jacqui — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:07:31 +0000

How do you find happiness in a smashed–or disease-filled– body, wracked with pain? How do you find joy when you’re reeling from the pain of losing a loved one? Try using the power of ignoring! Allow the attention to slide away from the sensations and thoughts filled with pain and redirect the mind to an object [...]

Reflections from the West on Owning Land

Jacqui — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:42:11 +0000

A common theme of the Dalai Lama these days as he speaks to the world with great compassion is to urge us to take responsibility for our actions. He urges us to reflect deeply on the consequences of all our actions and inaction, the latter in the face of injustice, environmental damage, persecution and the [...]

Discovering hidden stream of ill will

Jacqui — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:45:30 +0000

In one’s search for the seeds of ill will to weed out, I have often been surprised to discover subtle elements of ill will lurking amongst seemingly innocent reactions to surprise prompts. Only yesterday I discovered some disconcerting evidence of one of these underground streams of subtle ill will manifesting in disguised form in the reply [...]

Brightening awareness brings freedom!

Jacqui — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:01:05 +0000

This morning I have been struck by three bright experiences that I want to share with you. The first arrived when sitting in meditation, ‘trying’ to “become like a rainbow!” A rainbow-like experience arises briefly but is quickly followed by sensory observations and fleeting thoughts. I remember the instruction: “Just allow whatever is there to [...]

New Year Resolutions

Jacqui — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:19:26 +0000

Noticing the strength of habitual self referencing, reflected in the show of excessive apologising during recent hosting of wealthy English family members visiting us for Christmas, I am prompted to make some resolutions for 2010. Clearly, I need further work on developing loving kindness, acceptance, compassion and equanimity – amongst many other qualities! It was somewhat unnerving [...]

Meditation and Cancer eBook Launch

Jacqui — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:17:04 +0000

I have just launched an ebook titled “Meditation and Cancer: It Does help!” For details see under new menu category “Things to Buy“. This eBook combines a guide on meditation practices to promote health with true stories of people living with cancer who used meditation as part of their healing strategy. In addition, each chapter [...]