Reading for September 29

Right Concentration
The eighth principle of the path, right concentration, refers to the development of a mental force that occurs in natural consciousness, although at a relatively low level of intensity, namely concentration. Concentration in this context is described as one-pointedness of mind, meaning a state where all mental faculties are unified and directed onto one [...]

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Study group meeting

From Joshua:
The One Dharma Study Group will be meeting this Saturday the 27th from 10-11:30am at the 12South Dharma Center. This week’s discussion will be The First Noble Truth – Dukkha. If you have any readings related to the First Noble Truth that you would like to bring, please bring them along. As always, everyone is encouraged [...]

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Reading for September 22

Right Mindfulness
Right mindfulness is the controlled and perfected faculty of cognition. It is the mental ability to see things as they are, with clear consciousness. Usually, the cognitive process begins with an impression induced by perception, or by a thought, but then it does not stay with the mere impression. Instead, we almost always conceptualise [...]

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The Practice of Awakening — Three Day Meditation Retreat

The Practice of Awakening
One Dharma Meditation Retreat, November 7 – 9
Penuel Ridge Retreat Center
The path of Buddhism offers us a unique opportunity to awaken to our inherent wisdom, compassion, and open heartedness. Over time our perception of awakening can change from the conceptual and distant to our direct experience of this moment. During this retreat, [...]

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Reading for September 15

Right effort can be seen as a prerequisite for the other principles of the path. Without effort, which is in itself an act of will, nothing can be achieved, whereas misguided effort distracts the mind from its task, and confusion will be the consequence. Mental energy is the force behind right effort; it can occur [...]

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A Buddhist in Dixie

Larry McClain sits regularly with One Dharma Nashville. He has written for a strangely eclectic mix of magazines spanning music (CD Review), travel (Delta’s in-flight magazine), Christian devotionals (Upper Room magazines), and even National Lampoon.
by Larry McClain
Being a Buddhist in the South — now that’s dukkha.
When I say “South”, I don’t mean “south Asia.” I’m referring [...]

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Reading for September 8

Right Livelihood
Right livelihood means that one should earn one’s living in an honorable way and that wealth should be gained legally and peacefully. The Buddha mentions four specific activities that harm other beings and that one should avoid for this reason: 1. dealing in weapons, 2. dealing in living beings (including raising animals for [...]

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