Self Improvement Site
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
Articles from Michael Kewley | Selfgrowth.com
- Living from love - by Submitted on Aug 07, 2013 from Michael KewleyOur usual way of being is to live in accordance with the rules and regulations set down by others. To play other people's games. They tell us what is right and what is wrong, and most importantly, how we should behave. This is simply conditioning by our parents, our educational system and ...
Views: 1356 - On Being One With The Reality Of Life - by Submitted on Jun 25, 2013 from Michael KewleyAn interview with Dhamma master Michael Kewley by Leonie Gschwendtberger 'Dhamma is simple. Live with love and be aware. It is only the mind that complicates this teaching and says that it is not enough. The mind, invested as it is in fascination and distraction from simply being, always ...
Views: 1234 - Being present in life - by Submitted on Sep 04, 2012 from Michael KewleyThere is a common misunderstanding in spiritual practice that we do what we do to acquire some special qualities and that there is something to get from outside ourselves. Something that we don't already have. Something that will make our life perfect. It is the lottery syndrome. We feel that ...
Views: 1700(1 vote) - Being in balance - by Submitted on Sep 03, 2012 from Michael KewleyOne of the qualities of spiritual progress is balance. This is achieved through the establishment of a calm and peaceful centre. Actually, this centre is not acquired by doing anything special, or by developing any particular talents or abilities, but by simply letting go of the minds natural ...
Views: 1028 - Free from the world - by Submitted on Jun 19, 2012 from Michael KewleyThere is an old rule: The one who stays silent is criticised. The one who talks too much is also criticised. Even the one who speaks only a little is criticised. There is no-one in the world who is never criticised. Dhammapada: verse 227 Criticism is a part of our life, whether we give ...
Views: 1287(1 vote) - Everything is perfect - just as it is - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2012 from Michael KewleyWe all have a perception of perfection. We carry with us an idea of how everything should be and because of this spend huge amounts of time and energy trying to arrange conditions to match this idea. Our family, friends, partners and colleagues, our work and social engagements. Nothing falls ...
Views: 2891(1 vote) - Another place - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2012 from Michael KewleyAt one time I was flying out of Heathrow airport to go to India and conduct our annual series of ten day Vipassana Retreats at the International Meditation Centre in Budh Gaya. It was a stormy evening and the sky was black with clouds and occasional lightning flashes, a good indication of what ...
Views: 1374 - Spiritual reality & fantasy - by Submitted on Mar 04, 2012 from Michael KewleyAt one time many years ago, I had a female student who came to learn Vipassana meditation with me. After some weeks she was met by a friend who also claimed a meditation practice. ‘How long have you been learning?’ asked the friend. ‘Oh, for about six weeks now,’ my student replied. ‘Are you ...
Views: 1342 - Some Dhamma Questions & Answers - by Submitted on Sep 30, 2011 from Michael KewleyThese are real questions asked in various forms on retreats or seminars. Perhaps some are your questions also ............... Question: Why is it that I seem to have such a problem with anger? Answer: It's interesting to notice the words we use to describe certain things, because it is our ...
Views: 1182 - The other place - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2011 from Michael KewleyAt one time I was flying out of Heathrow airport to go to India and conduct our annual series of ten day Vipassana Retreats at the International Meditation Centre in Budh Gaya. It was a stormy evening and the sky was black with clouds and occasional lightning flashes, a good indication of what ...
Views: 1188(1 vote) - Dhamma in the family - by Submitted on May 15, 2011 from Michael KewleyMany, many years ago I knelt in front of my teacher and complained about my father, his attitude to me and his complete lack of understanding with my interest in Buddhism. He had recently said some things that had hurt me very much and even angered me. I needed to share that pain and find some ...
Views: 961 - Prison Dhamma - by Submitted on May 03, 2011 from Michael KewleyThe wise man will not look for the faults of others, or for what they have done or left undone. Rather he will look at his own misdeeds. Dhammapada verse : 50 Many years ago, whilst living on the Isle of Man, I was invited to present a Dhamma Talk at the local prison. I had become ...
Views: 942 - Being worthy - by Submitted on May 03, 2011 from Michael KewleyThe one who loves the dhamma lives happily, with his mind at ease. Dhammapada verse :79 At 10.32 on the 10th May 1987, I became a monk, with the name Paññadipa, meaning Island of Wisdom. This, as my teacher told me, was reference to the fact that I come from an island, not because I was ...
Views: 914 - Chasing the peaceful mind - by Submitted on Apr 27, 2011 from Michael KewleyMeditating earnestly, the wise realise Nibbana, the highest happiness. Dhammapada Verse : 23 During one of our annual retreats at the International Meditation Centre, Budh Gaya, India some years ago, a young man from Holland came to me and said, ‘everytime I begin my meditation I hear ...
Views: 993 - Don't defend yourself - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2011 from Michael KewleyOur usual way of being is to live in accordance with the rules and regulations set down by others. The play other people's games. They tell us what is right and what is wrong, and most importantly, how we should behave. This is simply conditioning by our parents, our educational system and ...
Views: 1667(2 votes) - Dhamma is everywhere - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2011 from Michael KewleyDhamma is everywhere My teacher arrived back at his monastery one afternoon after visiting his other monastery in London. He came straight to the kitchen where I, as a monk, was making a cup of tea. His smile was enormous and he said immediately, "Paññadipa, I ...
Views: 1385 - Self without Love - by Submitted on Feb 27, 2011 from Michael KewleyHuman beings are a pretty strange and complicted life-force and although the potential for complete liberation is present in every moment, mostly we take the other route, that of suffering. One of the most common expressions of this suffering in the West is the bizzare pre-occupation with low ...
Views: 966(2 votes) - Inside attachment - by Submitted on Jan 19, 2011 from Michael KewleyWhatever we are attached to will hurt us. It is well understood that attachment is the condition for our suffering and that whatever we are attached to will hurt us This attachment will always manifests in a possessive relationship with life and everything that it contains, and is revealed in ...
Views: 974 - Changing places - by Submitted on Dec 14, 2010 from Michael KewleyChanging places At one time a student of mine was asking about my time as a monk in the Theravada tradition of Buddhism. He listened to my words and when I had finished speaking he said, 'Ah yes, but the monks life is a special life.' I answered, 'Not when you're a monk.When you are a monk ...
Views: 1111(1 vote) - It's Easy to Be Philosophical with Someone Else's Life! - by Submitted on Jul 16, 2009 from Michael KewleyOften we feel disconnected from the lives of others. We see people who seem to have so much good fortune and success in the material sense that we wonder how they could ever complain about their life. We fail to realise that suffering and unhappiness are aspects of mind common to all beings, and ...
Views: 1255(1 vote) - Living In Peace - by Submitted on Oct 31, 2007 from Michael KewleyLiving in Peace There is an old rule: The one who stays silent is criticised. The one who talks too much is also criticised. Even the one who speaks only a little is criticised. There is no-one in the world who is never criticised. Dhammapada: verse 227 Free from the world Criticism is ...
Views: 1084 - The Value of Patience - by Submitted on Apr 03, 2007 from Michael KewleyThe value of Patience The cultivation of patience is the highest practice and Nibbana is the highest truth. The one who harms or upsets another is not a true disciple. Dhammapada: verse ...
Views: 2820 - Seeing the Buddha - by Submitted on Apr 03, 2007 from Michael KewleySeeing the Buddha He who sees me, sees the Dhamma, He who sees the Dhamma, sees me. Vakkali Sutta This short, but beautiful verse expresses completely our spiritual journey, and the goal of that journey, to be ...
Views: 1347 - Ordinary Life - by Submitted on Mar 20, 2007 from Michael KewleyOrdinary Life A monk went to Joshu and said “I have just entered your monastery, please teach me.” Joshu asked, “Have you eaten your porridge?” The monk said, “Yes master, I have.” Joshu replied, “Then wash your bowl.” (Zen Koan) It is a ...
Views: 1110 - The value of life - by Submitted on Mar 13, 2007 from Michael KewleyThe value of life If you don’t let go of your worldly worries about the future and making a living, you will regret it. Follow the Way, or all of your days and nights will have been lived for nothing. Zen Master Dogen The function of the Dhamma Master is to encourage their disciples to ...
Views: 1143