My first book, to be launched at the Gaudeamus Book Fair, in Bucharest Saturday, November 26, 2011, 14.00 hrs, Editura Herald. A book of words and images about attentive presence, mindful awareness, mind-stretching exercises, creativity in daily life, visual meditations and reflection for life enhancement.
Friends, Enemies, Strangers
In order to be able to get along in the world, we invented labels such as „friend” – the person I like and could help me, therefore I’m attached to him/her, „enemy” – the person I dislike and could harm me, therefore I feel aversion and I reject him/her, and „stranger” – the person [...]
About Mind and Life – Kopan November Course insights
Each mind has a past and a future, and no present. Each moment, your present is already past because it has turned into your future. Being mindfully aware of what happens in your inner world and in the outer world can bring satisfaction and contentment. Regardless of what you think or do, or what the [...]
Back from the Future – experiencing the Lamrim at Kopan Monastery, Nepal
I recently returned from a 7 weeks Tibetan Buddhism meditation course and retreat at the Kopan Monastery in Nepal. My purpose in going there was not so much related to a so-called ‘spiritual journey’, but more to a quest for meaningful and effective means for personal transformation which could be beneficial for myself and for [...]
Mind Your Mind
We are very much accustomed to “minding our steps” when we walk on the roads of life, whether we cross a street, get married or embark on a professional project. What we seldom do is “minding our mind” so as to be able to build a life for ourselves that involves reaching our full potential [...]
The Goal of Spiritual Life
Spirituality can be associated with religion, deities, the supernatural, but also with a wider understanding in which ‚being spiritual’ can be defined as nurturing thoughts, emotions, words and actions in harmony with the idea that the entire universe is, in some way, connected, even if only by the flow of cause and effect. The experience [...]
Improvement and Transformation
Self-improvement can have temporary results, but lasting transformation occurs only when we relate to ourselves without harshness and judgemental attitudes, whether denigration or praise. Trying to change ourselves to become ‚better’ – professionals, parents, spouses, friends -, does not work in the long run because it implies struggle and resisting our own energy by trying [...]
Buddhism and Medicine
The 3rd International Forum on Buddhism and Medicine I recently attended was a perfect demonstration of the benefits of the alliance between spirituality and science. The conference took place at the Lerab Ling Institute of Wisdom and Compassion, a Buddhist centre in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France, founded by the Tibetan meditation teacher Sogyal [...]
Secrets of Success in Achieving your Goal Naturally
Remember to enjoy what you are doing and to do things without strain and effort or expectations for results. Remember to let go of feelings of self-importance and of the sense that you are doing something of serious importance. Remember that motivation determines the quality of an action, therefore keep you motivation as pure as [...]
Be serious, but don’t take yourself seriously
Welcomed by the manager of the administration at the Buddhist Center in Pomaia. A senior employee showed me the place, another explained the schedule and the tasks. Settled in, looked around, feeling shy, half competent and fully enthusiastic. Helped the manager with small tasks, looking humble and trying to impress. The older colleague shows me [...]
