Author Archives: bodhimitta

About bodhimitta

Professionally, I have had several primary careers in life, starting with a dozen years in the U.S. Army in the Military Intelligence field, then some years as an electronics technician in both the civilian and defense industries, and finally computer software, where I have been engaged for about 25 years. My first serious attempt to adopt a spiritual path was in 1987 as a result of life gone awry and an attempt to get myself back on track. This took me to forms of Christianity, with which I did not connect well, and after a few years I left this path. By 2001 I was bitter, demoralized, at odds with the world and everybody in it, including myself. Reaching a breaking point, I again threw myself into an effort to change my life. Being willing to try anything, I investigated several religions, studying their scripture and practicing their ways to one extent or another. Eventually this led to Hinduism and meditation, and seeking meditation training led me to Buddhism where I finally found my spiritual home. My path is born out of suffering and the Buddha speaks to me. I have been committed to a Buddhist path for 10 years, studied the Pali canon for several years under the guidance of a Buddhist teacher, and sat a number of formal Vipassana and concentration meditation retreats and private retreats, the longest being 5 weeks in private retreat. I've made pilgrimage and spent months experiencing the history and culture of Buddhism in several Asian countries. I believe strongly in practice as a part of life and meet several times a week with people who have an ongoing, engaged practice. My experience is that teachers are found in centers, sangha is found in living rooms, and the dhamma is found in life.

on going for merit

Posted on May 2, 2010 by bodhimitta

“If we were to dye a piece of cloth we’d have to wash it first.” – Ajahn Chah

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Free PDF – Nisargadatta “I Am That”

Posted on April 7, 2010 by bodhimitta

I Am That

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Teaching and guidance

Posted on April 6, 2010 by bodhimitta

In teaching, there is a difference between general discourse and guidance given specifically from a teacher to a student or practitioner. A discourse is universally true and the consumer receives the teaching with the perspective that it is simple truth … Continue reading →

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The value of books

Posted on April 6, 2010 by bodhimitta

Words are words; teaching is teaching. The adage that tells us we cannot attain enlightenment from reading books is meant to say that seeing the truth, knowing truth, is experiential. But, the words of teachers, masters and gurus, whether spoken … Continue reading →

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Pulling Weeds

Posted on April 5, 2010 by bodhimitta

OK, once and for all (for now) I reject the position that the existential self does not exist, is not real, is not tangible and significant within the confines of birth and death. The existential self is real, if only … Continue reading →

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To dualism or not

Posted on April 3, 2010 by bodhimitta

“All the dreams are superimposed over a common world. To some extent they shape and influence each other. The basic unity operates in spite of all.” – Nisargadatta, I Am That While Nisargadatta is a non-dualist, statements like this leave … Continue reading →

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Amen!

Posted on April 3, 2010 by bodhimitta

“A man who claims to know what is good for others is dangerous.” – Nisargadatta, I Am That The world could use a heavy dose of this message. I’m sure it would be good for them!  🙂

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Gone Beyond

Posted on March 28, 2010 by bodhimitta

I read Nisargadatta and try to understand his image of non-duality, but I don’t. The notion seems to be that if we are all of the unmanifest, then in that context we are all one and everything is of the … Continue reading →

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Words and concepts

Posted on March 22, 2010 by bodhimitta

I have come to think that one problem I have in understanding the wise – gurus, realized or enlightened individuals – is that they take words that have definite meaning to me, change their definition, and then try to bend … Continue reading →

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I Am

Posted on March 20, 2010 by bodhimitta

Let us presume that I am consciousness.  Consciousness is bound to the senses and their interaction with sense objects.  Through them, consciousness becomes intertwined with likes and dislikes, craving and aversion, desire, hate, ill-will, greed.  Thus, from consciousness springs happiness, … Continue reading →

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