The Simple Tao (Simple Taoism)

School of Daoist arts P E R C E I V I N G R E A L I T Y Claire Beckett photographs American converts to Islam in her series, “The Converts.” Copyright Claire Beckett In post–Sept. 11 America, some have—wrongfully—imagined a line between American-ness and Islam. Claire Beckett’s portraits of American converts to the faith complicate that notion by shining a humanizing light on those who’ve experienced both sides of the supposed divide. “I intend for my photographs to open up questions for the viewer, to allow someone seeing this work to think through the issues on their own. Beckett’s series, “The Converts,” which is on display at Carroll and Sons in Boston until June 11, came as a response to the bigotry she observed as the United States waged its war on terror. Some of Beckett’s subjects converted decades ago. The past five years have seen little relief from the sort of prejudice that initially disturbed Beckett. “There is nothing inherently un-American about being Muslim.

| IL TAO DEL GUERRIERO A Lesson on Forgiveness The Buddha was sitting under a tree talking to his disciples when a man came and spit on his face. He wiped it off, and he asked the man, “What next? What do you want to say next?” The man was a little puzzled because he himself never expected that when you spit on somebody’s face, he will ask, “What next?” He had no such experience in his past. Buddha’s disciples became angry, they reacted. Buddha said, “You keep silent. “If you think on it deeply,” Buddha said, “he has spit on his own mind. The man was even more puzzled! Puzzled, confused, the man returned home. The next morning he was back there. The man looked at Buddha and said, “Forgive me for what I did yesterday.” Buddha said, “Forgive? “And you also are new. Winged Heart of the Sufi Order The winged heart is a symbol of the Sufi movement, a mystic branch of Islam. The symbol is a heart with wings, symbolizing ascension; the five pointed star represents divine light, the moon responsiveness to this light. the symbol was chosen by the founder of the Sufi Order, Hazrat Inayat Khan. Here is his description of the symbol, from the Gatha: The Symbol of the Sufi OrderThe symbol of the Order is a heart with wings. Related resources: Sufism Explore the mystical heart of islam.

Taoism 101: Introduction to the Tao | Personal Tao I have been asked many times how to find a Temple, Master or how best to learn Taoism. Here is a brief Taoism 101 course outline on how to discover Taoism. This is a different type of guide to learning Taoism. Taoism teaches a person to follow their breath, to embrace wonder and the joy in living gracefully with style. What is Taoism? To many people, a confusing aspect of Taoism is its very definition. A simply way to start learning the definition of Taoism is to start within yourself. Don’t concentrate on the definition of the Tao (this will come later naturally) Understand what Taoism really is. Practicing Taoism Taoism teaches a person to flow with life. Taoism teaches a person to live to their heart. Here are some simple starting tips to help a person live as a Taoist. Having a set of basic guidelines can be helpful. I can summarize Taoism as simply as Taoism is acceptance of your life. If you embrace these three ideas, everything else follows in Taoism. Practical Taoist Advice

Samadhi: The Height of Divine Consciousness — Sri Chinmoy Above the toil of life my soul is a bird of fire winging the Infinite. Samadhi is a spiritual state of consciousness. There are various kinds of samadhi. In savikalpa samadhi, for a short period of time you lose all human consciousness. Even in savikalpa samadhi there are grades. In savikalpa samadhi there are thoughts and ideas coming from various places, but they do not affect you. When you enter into nirvikalpa samadhi, the first thing you feel is that your heart is larger than the universe itself. In nirvikalpa samadhi there is infinite bliss. The third thing you feel in nirvikalpa samadhi is power. Nirvikalpa samadhi is the highest samadhi that most realised spiritual Masters attain. Even after achieving the highest type of realisation, on very rare occasions is anyone blessed with sahaja samadhi.