Are rebirth and reincarnation one and the same thing?

"the unenlightened life is full of suffering and dissatisfaction" a great restatement of the 1st noble truth that points to the 3rd noble truth, to many people turn away at hearing the 1st.

His six building blocks of a spiritual life correspond closely to studies of what contributes to Wellness also. Although I love sitting with the local Soto Zen group I feel that the emphasis on just sitting is an over emphasis that makes me ask; Is Zen Buddhism?

Driving mindfully is an excellent practise, turn the radio off and really focus on what you are doing and the sensations of the forces at work on the car and your body as you go around corners. Take a different route to really shake up your awareness.

Do you remember the intense concentration required when you were learniing to drive, how it seemed like there was so much to do at the same time. Beginners mind !

"start to see suffering in the attachment and preference of one side or the other"

If I might paraphrase this as "suffering can be seeing/being in attachment and preference to one side or the other". Until you can see things as they are without attachment and preference you cannot act fully skillfully as you might be responding to something other than what is really happening.

You don't have to think happy thoughts and stay in a situation, but seeing the reality instead of your interpretation and accepting it is a prerequisite for a truely proactive/positive/skillful response.

Brian, I was just wondering if with everything that was involved in the 1st call (introducing yourself, the principles and getting used to the technology), you felt that you got to say everything you wanted about optimism on the call?

Thank you for your great work!

Thanks for the info Vince, I am listening again to episodes 30-33 and getting a lot out of them. I have recently started sitting with a Soto Zen group as there is not a lot of choice in the area of Ireland I live and there is no mention of the fact that mediation only covers 2 parts of the eight fold path. I wonder sometimes is Zen Buddhism.

Is this part one with more to come? It was very interesting, but I feel a more apt name for this episode might have been; Can cushion-based practice help us turn the corner.

Love the new site. I get email notifications for the pocasts so do I need to do anything to keep getting them now you have moved?

I am not a napper as my body clock is too hardwired but I am trying to build rest into my day by using the POMODORO TECHNIQUE which is a time management system.

So I have a cheap casio watch programmed to 25 minute work periods with 5 minute breaks for 2 hours and it works really well. So long as I use it! After all KNOWLEDGE ISN"T POWER UNTIL IT"S APPLIED.

It's a great book, all of it very useful. But I am coming around to the importance of habit 2 and inparticular the section of the note entitled "Planting Priorities". Without priorities clearly developed and planted deeply in your heart and mind, you expend too much energy directing and motivating yourself to be truly effective.