Posts
- In the vast ocean of Buddhist wisdom, few teachings are as fundamental and transformative as the understanding of the Five Aggregates. “ACCORDING TO BUDDHISM, a human being is composed of Five Aggregates (skandhas): form, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness. The Five Aggregates contain everything — both inside us and outside of us, in nature and in society.” — Thich Nhat Hanh 1. Form (Rupa) The physical aspect of our existence - our body, the material world around us, and all tangible phenomena.
- Have you ever felt completely lost, even though deep down you knew you weren’t? We all experience moments when we need to return to basics, to find solid ground beneath our feet. Today, I’d like to share a fundamental concept from Buddhist philosophy that has helped countless individuals find their way: The Three Jewels. Why Learn About the Three Jewels? I often encounter friends and colleagues who approach me with questions about meditation, typically when they’re already stressed or overwhelmed.
- Like the ancient temples that undergo restoration while preserving their sacred essence, this humble digital space has undergone a quiet transformation—both aesthetic and technological—while maintaining its core purpose as a vessel for spiritual exploration. The external changes you might notice are subtle: cleaner lines, refreshed typography, and a more contemplative flow that mirrors the inner journey we all undertake. But beneath the surface, the technological foundations have been completely renewed, much like how inner spiritual work often requires restructuring our mental frameworks while keeping our heart’s intention pure.
- In the vast expanse of the universe, patterns emerge that echo both in the heavens and on Earth. This concept, often encapsulated in the phrase “As above, so below,” suggests that the microcosm reflects the macrocosm, and vice versa. This idea isn’t just philosophical; it finds resonance in various fields, from spirituality to science. One of the most profound expressions of this concept comes from the Hermetic tradition. The Emerald Tablet, attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, states: “That which is Below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above corresponds to that which is Below, to accomplish the miracle of the One Thing” (source).
- After many years, I picked up Yoga and Mantra by Loretta Zanuccoli again. Even though I knew it well, I decided to go through it with fresh eyes, as if I had never read it before. And I was truly impressed. It would be too simplistic to call it just a basic guide to Yoga and Mantras. This book creates a structured narrative about Yoga, gathering knowledge from multiple sources that usually present only partial or isolated aspects.
- Throughout my years of practice, I’ve encountered numerous meditation techniques, each designed for various purposes - from stress relief to inner peace, psychic self-defence to financial well-being. However, among the myriad of methods I’ve learned, only a few have become part of my daily routine, yielding the most significant benefits. While reciting the Great Invocation remains my primary practice for personal well-being and service to humanity, the second most impactful technique in my daily arsenal is undoubtedly “energetic rooting” or “grounding”.
- In my decade-long quest for the perfect Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) tool, I’ve stumbled upon a hidden gem: Twos. This elegantly simple yet surprisingly comprehensive tool has quickly become an indispensable part of my productivity arsenal. Twos stands out with its clean, uncluttered interface, belying the robust functionality beneath. While my trusty Obsidian-Excalidraw duo remains unrivalled for visual note-taking, Twos effortlessly fills the gap in list management and task planning. Their claim, “The best place to write things down”, perfectly encapsulates its essence.
- In July, I kept reading the amazing book “Talks on Agni.” by Torkom Saraydarian and I found this really interesting idea: “The Secret Doctrine says that an atom wants to become a person, and a person wants to become a god.” I’m still thinking about what this really means, but it keeps making me wonder. Maybe it explains why we always want to get better at things. This idea suggests that everything, from the tiniest bit to the biggest thing, wants to grow and improve.
- I’ve been playing the electric bass for years, grooving with various rock bands and even big bands. But lately, life’s demands have pushed my beloved instrument into the background. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon Ali Abdaal’s “Feel Good Productivity” that I realised why my fingers hadn’t danced across those strings in months. Abdaal’s suggestion is deceptively simple: make visible what you want to accomplish. It hit me - my bass was tucked away in its case, out of sight and, consequently, out of mind.
- While reading Ali Abdaal’s insightful book, Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You, I stumbled upon a fascinating concept: the Batman Effect. This idea, rooted in psychology, suggests that adopting an alter ego can help us overcome our fears and tackle daunting tasks with newfound confidence. Imagine having an alter ego who is fearless, capable, and unburdened by the anxieties that often hold us back. Just as Bruce Wayne becomes Batman, we too can step into a persona that empowers us to face challenges head-on.