Archive for March, 2009
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009
Podcast: ISmile210 – The Trial
In this podcast, Michael shares his experience of going through the deep trials of spiritual work. Rather than being impediments to the Path, Michael argues that the powerful challenges that stillness brings helps to bring light into and through our work. This paradox, while confusing to the mind, helps us uncover the spaciousness that lies [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Podcast,Theory & Practice by Michael McAlister
Monday, March 30th, 2009
I got yer tweets right here…
Follow me and let’s see what happens.
No Comments » - Posted in Writing by Michael McAlister
Saturday, March 28th, 2009
When Grandpa leads…
Cade and Grandpa Don navigating moments on stairs. Nirvana.
No Comments » - Posted in Photos by Michael McAlister
Friday, March 27th, 2009
Will the Youth Change Buddhism?
Over at Dharma Folk, kudos makes an interesting series of points about the decline of faith among the world’s youth: In this generation, the youth communicate through text messages, Facebook wall posts, and AIM instant messages. They express themselves through emoticons and profiles, identify themselves with online communities and Facebook groups, and voice concerns through [...]
3 Comments » - Posted in Writing by Michael McAlister
Friday, March 27th, 2009
John Galt v. Frodo
For some reason I’ve been having several discussions lately with some of my more rightward leaning friends about how Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged is a must (re)read. I guess fear of the unknown, fear of losing livelihoods, fear of losing minds, fear of losing anything and everything has led to a resurgence of psychological ossification. [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Politics,Theory & Practice,Writing by Michael McAlister
Thursday, March 26th, 2009
Why Buddhism Makes Sex Hotter
Sex educator, Violet Blue, interviews author, punk rock bassist, film-maker and Zen rebel, Brad Warner about… you guessed it, the interconnection of sex and Buddhism. Violet Blue: What’s the basic philosophy about sex from a Zen perspective? Brad Warner: There’s no specific philosophy as such. When you enter the Buddhist order either as a layperson [...]
No Comments » - Posted in People,Theory & Practice,Writing by Michael McAlister
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009
When Satan Starts to Gasp
The Washington Post ran an interesting Deepak Chopra article on the evolution of “evil.” …the Devil is the embodiment of absolute evil, the kind that admits no other explanation. His fortunes decline when valid explanations are at hand. It seems to make most sense to me that evil is a blunt and inaccurate expression of [...]
2 Comments » - Posted in Development,People,Writing by Michael McAlister
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009
Spirit Is Higher and Deeper
Today, Andrew Cohen offers up an interesting piece in which he rather adamantly asserts that: … Spirit is definitely Higher. Definitely? Are you absolutely sure? Because conviction begets egoic resistance. I’m just saying we should be careful here. On the level of mind, sure. No problem. Spirit is “higher.” But then again, it’s also “deeper” [...]
No Comments » - Posted in People,Theory & Practice,Writing by Michael McAlister
Monday, March 23rd, 2009
The evolution of Shambhala
Waylon Lewis offers us a great insider’s account of the shifts and adjustments that Shambhala has made since Trungpa’s death. …in the 17 years since his death, time has not stood still. When I came of age, having completed the 16-year-old Rites of Passage with Will Ryken and Mitchell Levy, the kingdom in which I [...]
No Comments » - Posted in People,Writing by Michael McAlister
Sunday, March 22nd, 2009
Infinite Smiles
Infinite Smiles An amazing weekend by any measure. Committed practitioners, natural beauty, stillness. It all worked together to offer an open expanse. Bows.
No Comments » - Posted in Photos by Michael McAlister
Saturday, March 21st, 2009
The view of Monterey from my deck…
This shot was taken about twenty minutes before an amazing rain washed over the Santa Cruz mountains, as well as the rest of the Bay Area. Cool environment in which to meditate.
1 Comment » - Posted in Photos by Michael McAlister
Saturday, March 21st, 2009
Morning visitors through my window…
Morning visitors through my window… While the screen gets in the way here, after our second morning meditation, about fifteen deer came through the grounds browsing for food. We invited them to sit with us but they declined. The alpha male of the group mentioned something about lent.
No Comments » - Posted in Photos by Michael McAlister
Friday, March 20th, 2009
Just arrived at Mt. Madonna Center
Just arrived at Mt. Madonna Center Originally uploaded by Michael G. McAlister … enjoying some kombucha in the cafe.
No Comments » - Posted in Writing by Michael McAlister
Thursday, March 19th, 2009
The End of Fear
I’m getting packed up and ready to lead InfiniteSmile.org‘s Spring Retreat. I always look forward to getting prepared for leading these things eventhough all my preparation tends to fly out over the Pacific Ocean the moment I get to the Mount Madonna Center. Although I’m close to having my Dharma talks ready, ultimately I always [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Writing by Michael McAlister
Wednesday, March 18th, 2009
Can multifaith religious education work?
Justin Gest writes in the guardian.co.uk about whether multifaith religious education is a failure? In advance of the release of a new pamphlet, Philip Barnes questioned the success and value of religious education in the UK. He writes that religious education fails to engage pupils’ interest and “does harm” in alienating many devout people by [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Fundamentalism,Theory & Practice,Writing by Michael McAlister
Tuesday, March 17th, 2009
Buddhist Law Enforcement
Thanks to DigitalDharma, I was able to read this piece on Aussie police officers that are incorporating the Dharma into their work. Adhering to the principles of non-violence, calmness and love for all human beings is not easy when your day job involves investigating and locking up potentially violent criminals. But a handful of NSW [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Writing by Michael McAlister
Tuesday, March 17th, 2009
Psychotherapy & Buddhist Practice
Over at Buddhaspace, “G” offers his analysis of how Buddhist tradition and Western psychotherapy are coming together. …many modern scholars and those working on the science of the mind believe that there is an intrinsic psychotherapeutic aspect to Buddhism. via Buddha Space.
No Comments » - Posted in Writing by Michael McAlister
Monday, March 16th, 2009
Attachment Alert: Rush Limbaugh Is Evil!
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve received several inquiries relating to how any of us could possibly “let go” of that man called Rush and all of the unconsciousness that he spits out over the airwaves each day. For the record, my preference is to choose music over talk whenever I can. I should [...]
2 Comments » - Posted in Chapter 3 - Fear,Chapter 6 - Practice,Fundamentalism,Interfaith,People,Theory & Practice,Writing by Michael McAlister
Monday, March 16th, 2009
When the student is ready…
Rev. Danny Fisher offered this Barbara O’Brien piece up on his blog. Despite its brevity I agree that it is a very valuable bit of writing for those looking for a teacher. How do you know which teachers are for real and which are phonies? Many schools of Buddhism place great importance on lineage — [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in Writing by Michael McAlister
Monday, March 16th, 2009
Patanjali and Social Networking
The Huffington Post’s, Tara Stiles writes smartly of using basic yogic goodness to enhance our online experiences. She first asks: Do you ever feel like freaking out on someone on Facebook, or Twitter? Have you ever wrote not-so-nice things about someone or someone’s photo or video on any social network site? Do you find yourself [...]
