​Dear fellow practitioners – Greetings

Well…. I have to admit that my latest Guided Meditation, the one that I am sharing with you now, is without a doubt the most creative and colourful one that I have shared to date! Some people would even say that my 'Recollecting Deities' practice is a little 'avante garde' – especially coming from a Bhikkhu in very conservative tradition! Perhaps I am becoming more bold in my middle age? 

But this boldness is not unprecedented… I had wondered in the past when I composed and recorded both "The Charnal Ground Meditation"… and "Visualisation of a Lotus Metta Meditation" many years ago… if I would be criticised or misunderstood? As it turns out… those two meditations can actually both be found listed at present on the 'Insight Timer Meditation App' - 'Top 5' of their 'Highest Rated By Users' page, with many thousands of plays per item. Whoever would have thought? (I certainly didn't) But it serves to illustrate the fact that it is good to be bold at times… if you have a good reason.

Lord Buddha clearly understood of course that there are many different temperaments and 'character types' among human beings… and so he actually recommended many different types of meditations. Some of which are rarely mentioned these days.

The internet has changed many things. There is a much larger audience for material related to meditation instruction now. People from literally all over the globe, from many different cultures are looking for ways to cultivate and experience more Peace. Different methods work for different people. I am willing to be a little brave and creative and to risk a little criticism, because I have a personal commitment to trying to share many different meditation methods and practices with as many people as possible… understanding that some people 'out there' will surely benefit. 

So what is this meditation all about?

This rich and lengthy guided meditation and visualisation is actually many different things. It is a teaching and contemplation about Buddhist cosmology… A meditation upon the beautiful qualities of virtuous Deities. (in Pali – Devanusati) As well as a way to set up a powerful 'resonance' in the heart, to expand one's capacity to generate more Loving-Kindness and Compassion. And of course if meditating in this manner turns out to actually be brightening and uplifting for the mind… then it also becomes something of a Blessing or an Empowerment. These are indeed very rich and wonderful practices.

Whenever one does something a little unusual or 'out of the box' however… one can usually be sure of two things… that some people will really like it… and that others really won't! 

You can always try it out and see… and if it works for you, Great!  And if doesn't, then never mind.

I sincerely hope that some people find this meditation useful.

(As it took me years to figure out how to present it - and many hours to script, record and edit!)

With much Loving-Kindness,

Dear Fellow Practitioners, greetings

We are at a period in history where humanity has many great challenges. It seems as though we are becoming increasingly disconnected from both the environment and from each other as a global family. This tendency is having dire consequences even as I write… and in terms of war ecological disaster and the physical, mental and spiritual health of the humans on our planet… the consequences could soon be much much worse. Much of this phenomena is due to corrupt leadership in the corporate world and in bought and paid for governments, making harmful decisions for the short-term benefits of a select few. Many of the ordinary folk however are still very good-hearted and really wish for a better situation. So what can we do?

As Buddhist practitioners I believe that we have a lot to offer. The power of sila and of metta is truly profound. In this meditation I am asking you to be bold enough to embrace the entire world with Loving-Kindness. Holding the planet and all of humanity in 'The Heart of Loving-Kindness'… for the sake of this world – our current home, for our own sakes, and for the sake of our greater human family. Metta is a powerfully protective force that produces vast amounts of merit. The cultivation of metta as a meditation has truly excellent consequences for us as individuals both now and in the future… and it affects others in a positive manner as well.

Please join me in embracing the entire world with Loving-Kindness
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… after doing so, you may find that at the very least you feel more connected to the planet and to humanity. And a greater foundation of well-being is an excellent support for deepening insight.

With much Loving-Kindness

Dear fellow practitioners,

Last December I led a three week pilgrimage to the Buddhist Holy sites of Northern India. Having a few days in each of the most significant sites, we had enough time to explore some of the events that occurred in these special places. 

This talk is comprised of three separate readings which relay events that occurred in the area of Savathi and the Jetavana. Together these three short readings help to bring the Lord Buddha to life and communicate some of his extraordinary abilities and qualities.

I hope that you enjoy this reading and find something herein helpful.

​With best wishes,