Search found 81 matches

by ball-of-string
Thu Aug 14, 2014 4:26 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Portland, Oregon, is it dharma friendly?
Replies: 6
Views: 1775

Re: Portland, Oregon, is it dharma friendly?

I'm on the ground here, and I'll vouch that there is a lot of Buddhist action in Portland. I hope you find the right fit for you...
by ball-of-string
Fri Jul 04, 2014 11:01 pm
Forum: Introductions
Topic: Greetings from Oregon!
Replies: 6
Views: 2048

Re: Greetings from Oregon!

<----- also a Portlander, although today I'm enjoying the holiday out on the Gorge. I suggest visiting some practice communities until you find the one that feels right for you. Intellectual learning only goes so far; if a group of practitioners resonates with you, it might actually be a result of y...
by ball-of-string
Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:17 pm
Forum: North America (USA & Canada)
Topic: Searching for a retreat in the Midwest
Replies: 2
Views: 1284

Re: Searching for a retreat in the Midwest

If studying with a sravakayana crowd is not a barrier for you, consider a 10-day retreat with this group: http://www.dhamma.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; They offer retreats in Illinois and Michigan, and some other midwestern states. and nearby Canadian provinces: http...
by ball-of-string
Thu Mar 06, 2014 11:18 pm
Forum: Nichiren
Topic: Soka Gakai (SGI) Criticism Thread
Replies: 201
Views: 68142

Re: Soka Gakai (SGI) Criticism Thread

Most people really enjoy their visit to the SGI center: nice people, dynamic service, lots of social opportunities for "joining in". All due respect, one or two visits does not make one an adequate expert on this topic. I am also not an expert, having only vicarious experience, so I would ...
by ball-of-string
Wed Feb 19, 2014 8:15 pm
Forum: Mahāyāna Buddhism
Topic: Why theravada reject mahayana sutra
Replies: 32
Views: 8076

Re: Why theravada reject mahayana sutra

And the members of Dhamma Wheel are fairly typical of Theravadins in general. I don't want to get off topic, but that is not my experience at all. Comparing the people I meet and interactions I have at a Theravada temple or lay organization versus my online interactions, there is a lot of discrepan...
by ball-of-string
Sat Feb 01, 2014 2:55 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: This guy is hilarious...
Replies: 6
Views: 1931

Re: This guy is hilarious...

My dad was notoriously inhospitable and not at all neighborly. When he passed away and we went to tend to his house, the neighbor approached us, introduced himself, and made small talk. Finally he got to the point: he is an elderly man, and is not able to mow his yard with a push-mower so he used a ...
by ball-of-string
Sun Nov 24, 2013 8:56 am
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: First retreat
Replies: 32
Views: 6418

Re: First retreat

This is not the video I was talking about, but it is brief and a good place to start:
http://youtu.be/H2PZRKqbOUE

Of course, there is this film, available on Netflix and YouTube. But it's important to remind people you are NOT going to prison... :tongue:
http://www.dhammabrothers.com
by ball-of-string
Sun Nov 24, 2013 8:42 am
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: First retreat
Replies: 32
Views: 6418

Re: First retreat

There is a video that explains vipassana for the uninitiated. They pass out CD's at the center; I'll look around and see if it is on the web anywhere.
by ball-of-string
Sun Nov 24, 2013 12:27 am
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: First retreat
Replies: 32
Views: 6418

Re: First retreat

I think the vipassana folks should have support groups for partners who are not interested in meditation.
by ball-of-string
Sat Nov 23, 2013 10:11 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: First retreat
Replies: 32
Views: 6418

Re: First retreat

I meant, while I was away on the second and third retreats he would schedule a busy social agenda. Catch up with old friends, visit family. This was an antidote to solve the difficulties he had during my first 10-day retreat. He was bored and felt socially deprived. He sent me emails every day, even...
by ball-of-string
Fri Nov 22, 2013 11:04 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: First retreat
Replies: 32
Views: 6418

Re: First retreat

Duckfiasco- you asked about the video-taped teachings at Goenka retreats. The main teacher in that tradition recorded the tapes years ago, mainly with the goal of maintaining consistency. There will be an assistant teacher there, who is available to answer 1-on-1 questions during the lunch break, or...
by ball-of-string
Fri Nov 22, 2013 8:46 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Goenka Retreat
Replies: 14
Views: 3082

Re: Goenka Retreat

My first retreat was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, and it is the best thing I have ever done for myself. The schedule is grueling in a lot of ways. Most people do not train their bodies to sit still for extended periods of time. (The longest sit is 1 hour, except for one session on ...
by ball-of-string
Thu Nov 21, 2013 6:11 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: how can you accept a killer or a murderer?
Replies: 17
Views: 3329

Re: how can you accept a killer or a murderer?

My disclaimer: I am in no way condoning murderers. I agree with your assessment, it is the worst thing a person can do. But I've had the opportunity to work with both ex-cons and returning war veterans with "celebrated kills", and have had candid conversations about the factors that contri...
by ball-of-string
Sat Nov 16, 2013 1:44 am
Forum: Introductions
Topic: Hello from Oregon
Replies: 35
Views: 7708

Re: Hello from Oregon

Paulbear, keep us posted on your arrival to Oregon. I agree with Reddust, it's a beautiful place and I think many of us would be happy to offer tips about what to see. And I agree with Duckfiasco, there is a lot of Buddhist activity here.
by ball-of-string
Fri Nov 15, 2013 7:30 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: When Right Speech seems to give bad fruits
Replies: 23
Views: 4525

Re: When Right Speech seems to give bad fruits

IMHO... Nonviolent communication is the boot-camp training manual for Right Speech. Only Buddhas can be 100% with Right Speech, the rest of us are on the trial-by-error plan, and the guidance provided in the sutras sets a pretty high bar for Right Speech.
by ball-of-string
Fri Nov 15, 2013 6:10 am
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: When Right Speech seems to give bad fruits
Replies: 23
Views: 4525

Re: When Right Speech seems to give bad fruits

Are you familiar with Non-Violent Communication? Short summary, your coworkers interpret your efforts as a rebuke, and their needs for the communication are left unsatisfied. More here: http://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Communication-A-Language-Life/dp/1892005034/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384491791...
by ball-of-string
Fri Nov 15, 2013 5:55 am
Forum: Introductions
Topic: Hello from Oregon
Replies: 35
Views: 7708

Re: Hello from Oregon

Portlander here. Welcome to DW
by ball-of-string
Wed Nov 13, 2013 4:56 am
Forum: Meditation
Topic: Swaying during meditation freaking me out
Replies: 8
Views: 10756

Re: Swaying during meditation freaking me out

I don't know if your situation is similar to mine. I was at a retreat when the teacher asked to speak with me. He said I rock back and forth when I am meditating. I had no idea. I started to observe: at first it is subtle, but by the end of the hour it is pretty pronounced. I have back pain, I think...
by ball-of-string
Mon Nov 11, 2013 9:26 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: the avatar anime legend of korra
Replies: 9
Views: 2371

Re: the avatar anime legend of korra

I know I am a sentimental sap, but I was moved to tears by this week's episode. :crying:
by ball-of-string
Fri Nov 08, 2013 1:27 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: the avatar anime legend of korra
Replies: 9
Views: 2371

Re: the avatar anime legend of korra

I like that the two shows emphasize team work, and strong female characters. I like that in both of the shows, many of the "bad guys" are redeemable.

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