“The child swept more cans into the blast furnace, and as it belched toxic smoke and fumes, the boy didn’t seam bothered as it swirled around his face and into his lungs.” This was just one of many scenes we watched from the comfort of Zen Tower this weekend. Workers in Pakistan and India, many…
Author: akindofzen.com
A Zen Prayer For Loneliness
In the quiet moments of solitude,I bow to the emptiness within,Embracing the stillness as my teacher.May I find peace in the present moment,Knowing that loneliness is a passing cloudIn the vast sky of my being. Let me open my heart to the truthThat I am never truly alone,For within me dwells the boundless nature,Connected to…
A Zen Prayer For Overcoming Anger
In the stillness of this moment, I seek the clarity of mind and the calmness of spirit. May I let go of the flames of anger that burn within, releasing them into the boundless sky. With each breath, I draw in peace and serenity, And with each exhale, I release all tension and discord. May…
A Zen Prayer for Health and Healing
In the stillness of this moment, we open our hearts to the essence of healing,Embracing the gentle flow of life’s energy within and all around us.May we be guided by the wisdom of our bodies,Listening deeply to their messages of balance and care. With each breath, may we draw in serenity, exhaling tension and fear,Allowing…
A Zen Prayer for people facing job insecurity
In the quiet of this moment, I seek the stillness that lies within,A sanctuary of peace amidst the turmoil of the world.May those facing the uncertainty of job insecurityFind solace in the wisdom that all things are impermanent,And that every ending heralds a new beginning. May the teachings of Zen remind usThat in letting go,…
A Zen Prayer For Overcoming Cravings
In the gentle silence of my heart, I seek the wisdom of the path,Mindful of the impermanent nature of all that is,I acknowledge the deep craving within — Bhava-tanha,The longing for existence, for being, for becoming,A thirst that binds the soul to the endless cycle of samsara. With humility and reverence, I turn to the…
Coping with losing a job – Lessons of Impermanence
Layoffs seem to be the talk of the town, sparking a wave of anxiety and stress. But, guess what? There’s a silver lining with Zen techniques to gracefully navigate the rollercoaster of job security! In the ever-fluctuating world of the BPO industry, clients are as unpredictable as the weather – here one moment, gone the…
Coping with an unexpected health diagnosis – Lessons of Impermanence
When we or a loved one is faced with an unexpected and profound health diagnosis depression and despair often isn’t far behind, but there are some things we can do to help cope with a tragedy like this. When I was a teenager my mother once complained about a bump she could feel inside her…
Coping with the loss of a loved one – Lessons of Impermanence
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things anyone can experience, but reflecting on the impermanent nature of all things can help us cope – here’s how. Let’s begin with the story of Patacara. Patacara’s story is one of the most poignant and transformative tales in Buddhist literature, illustrating deep lessons about…
What is the basic condition for happiness?
According to the Buddha’s teachings, the most basic condition for happiness is freedom. But freedom from what exactly? This isn’t a reference to physical bondage, though that would be an intense form of sadness and misery. Instead, the freedom he speaks of is that of the mental formations of anger, despair, jealousy, and delusions. These…