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LEVEKUNST · art of life magazine

THE POWER OF SIMPLICITY

No one was more observant, aware and dynamically present than the Maharshi. He missed nothing. From the tremendous power of his inner stillness and outer simplicity, he was far more present and vitally alive than most could ever imagine.

THE FRIENDLY DEATH

Death is a daily experience but we may be unaware of that. We die and come back to our daily life again and again until we stop breathing and a whole new experience begins. There is no need to feel afraid of our death because she helps give meaning to life. No need to fight death because every moment we breathe is an opportunity to be better, to improve our lives.

WHAT I LEARN FROM LIVING WITH THE NUNS

Life as a nun is for some looked upon as a very bad destiny, as the poor soul must be just miserable living under such humble conditions, not having her own property, a partner, a close family, let alone a career and status! From the normal worldly outside perspective it is not at all attractive nor interesting. But they could not be more wrong.

PRAISE TO THE KARMA DAKINI

Behind the snowy prospects of your eyes, ranging like mountains with onyx studs at their peaks, lies only everything, space and light mingling and stretching, blowing, glowing away to an event horizon where I hover and vanish. There lies my true home, my yearning for it beyond measure.

BLUE TO REMIND US

In the midst of a happy life are we likely to stop and ask ourselves; what is this all about?’ But when sorrows blight our existence nothing is more natural than that we should step back and question our existence. We need not shun our mind or our emotions, because, in time, they can become our greatest motivators and our staunchest allies.

WE GIVE – WE RECEIVE

Most of the time people have a hard time giving away things to others which they themselves really like. Yes, we buy a present for someone and then we give that away. But something that you have bought for yourself often has more attachments to it and therefore is harder to give away. But in essence, it is just energy and energy needs to flow to be healthy.

THE MASTER MEDITATOR LAMENTS

The more I search within for my motives, the less I know of my self; every explanation, each answer, painfully wrong and incomplete. Why do I do what I do, where is the cause, where the effect, of promised liberation? Where hides the sneaky sculptor who casts my stony belief in this make-believe world?

THE LINGUISTIC MYSTICS OF TIBET

Misapprehension of language only perpetuates our confused, dualistic perception of reality and thereby leads us away from the realization the single taste of reality. Contrary to this, when language is infused with skillful means, it becomes a vehicle for liberation.

LUCID DREAMING & ENDLESS PURPLE FOG

When we are lucid during a dream, instead of following along with the content of the dream, we have the opportunity to do a variety of useful and insightful kinds of meditation practice. Doing meditation practice while dreaming is particularly interesting because of how quickly and responsively our mental states are reflected in the content of the lucid dream.

EMBRACING LIES

When I hear that crows don’t have teeth, the world is flat, painted cows can be milked, energy equals mass multiplied by the speed of light squared, or nirvana is beyond extremes, I urge myself to have the discipline to examine and investigate what is being said, how those who’re saying it found their truth, and what their arguments and ways of thinking are.

EMPATHY

When we say yes, but in fact, we really mean no, when we do things that we really do not want or simply follow what others have done, we are being co-dependent and not patient or generous! A co-dependent attitude may seem positive at first, but actually, it is generating low self-esteem and lack of confidence.

A SHORT STORY OF A GOLDSMITH

Soon my father found out that I had a flair for the handcraft and he took me to exhibitions and trade shows, taught me history of jewel art and always answered all my questions like ‘What is the name of this gemstone? Where does it come from? How did the Vikings make there jewelry? How do I draw a ring?’

THE KALAPA COURT OF SHAMBHALA

Here dwell the Earth Protectors and Rigdens, who rule over all Shambhala and radiate the heart of all true human law. Kalapa is a vast square with high bright ruby walls, surmounted by golden balustrades. Its four gates are made from sapphire, yellow diamond, ruby and emerald. Within the walls are the inner gates and courtyards paved with white opal. In the center, on a platform of pearl, is a great palace, the Kalapa Court.

SELF-SPIRITUAL PATHWAY OR TRADITIONAL HIGHWAY?

The potential risk of the self-spirituality approach can be that nowadays the spiritual market is so rich that many seekers can get lost on the path, never reaching the genuine spiritual realization which could be marked with a bigger sense of inner freedom, a sense of inter-connectedness and compassion and a strong sense of personal integrity. Psychological immaturity involves many risks.

AM I DREAMING YOU?

Life is indeed dreamlike. So dreamlike that we often cruise through our days barely aware of what is really going on. Then suddenly someone we knew, someone we loved or hated or acknowledged at least, as existing, even if only on the fringes of our world is gone. They are no more; phoof!

EINSAMKEIT

These paintings Einsamkeit were done long ago, and it started one day I was feeling this conglomeration of fear, sadness and resignation, so deeply that I locked myself up in my studio for several weeks, to not be distracted by anything and able to face things directly.

THE JOURNEY TO ENLIGHTENMENT

The journey to enlightenment proceeds along a very slippery path. According to many unimpeachable sources, if you think too much about how to approach the destination then you’re sure to end up wide of the mark. Indirection may be all-important and yet too much stratagem may likewise lead you astray.

A WEEK IN THE CAVE

The first day is not as silent as you might think it would be. The invading noises of bats, jungle, and ocean blend in flurried motion to become that deeper internal silence that negates all commotion. Disturbing isolation becomes a comforting meditation.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BREATH

I am so honored to know this group of wise and beautiful beings from all over the world. We have meditated together for many years now, since many of them were very small children, and I have watched them grow up in an environment where peace, compassion and wisdom were emphasised and valued. They have blossomed into amazing human beings with understanding beyond their years, as is seen in the words of the video here.

LOTUS OCEAN

He is not a man one can ignore: beautiful with a face like Padmasambhava, a fine little mustache and eyes rolling like a half-wrathful half-passionate god, look into endless inner skies. When he sits on the vajra throne most people feel as if a buddha is sitting in their presence. His serenity and authority are complete.