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Articles by Michael Kewley

Browse published articles attributed to Michael Kewley, with full-archive search.

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By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Everything is perfect - just as it is

We all have a perception of perfection. We carry with us an idea of how everything should be and because of this spend huge amounts of time and energy trying to arrange conditions to match this idea. Our family, friends, partners and colleagues, our work and social engagements. Nothing falls outside our desire to be happy by controlling all the things we think we need to produce that happiness. It is a constant struggle. The blueprint for perfection against the realities of life.r

Primary topic: Meditation

3,040 views5/5 (1)

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

The other place

At one time I was flying out of Heathrow airport to go to India and conduct our annual series of ten day Vipassana Retreats at the International Meditation Centre in Budh Gaya. It was a stormy evening and the sky was black with clouds and occasional lightning flashes, a good indication of what was to come.r

Primary topic: Meditation

1,294 views5/5 (1)

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Don't defend yourself

Our usual way of being is to live in accordance with the rules and regulations set down by others. The play other people's games. They tell us what is right and what is wrong, and most importantly, how we should behave. This is simply conditioning by our parents, our educational system and society in general. At a very early age we learn that certain modes of behaviour are either acceptable or not. We loose spontaneous action, because in our mind we always trapped by this conditioning. A student of mine telephoned me one day to ask a question.r

Primary topic: Meditation

1,773 views3.5/5 (2)

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Being present in life

There is a common misunderstanding in spiritual practice that we do what we do to acquire some special qualities and that there is something to get from outside ourselves. Something that we don't already have. Something that will make our life perfect.r

Primary topic: Meditation

1,817 views4/5 (1)

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Self without Love

Human beings are a pretty strange and complicted life-force and although the potential for complete liberation is present in every moment, mostly we take the other route, that of suffering. One of the most common expressions of this suffering in the West is the bizzare pre-occupation with low self esteem. How did we arrive in this place where we continually think that we are no good, or at least not good enough, and then so often feel intimidated and threatened by everything around us ?

Primary topic: Meditation

1,072 views4.5/5 (2)

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Free from the world

There is an old rule: The one who stays silent is criticised. The one who talks too much is also criticised. Even the one who speaks only a little is criticised. There is no-one in the world who is never criticised. Dhammapada: verse 227 Criticism is a part of our life, whether we give it or receive it, it is always there. For the one who gives it, it is a way to show power and control, for the one who receives it is a humiliation. However, it is a fact of life and no matter who we are or what we do, as long as we have life we will always be in the place to receive it.r

Primary topic: Meditation

1,399 views4/5 (1)

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

It's Easy to Be Philosophical with Someone Else's Life!

Often we feel disconnected from the lives of others. We see people who seem to have so much good fortune and success in the material sense that we wonder how they could ever complain about their life. We fail to realise that suffering and unhappiness are aspects of mind common to all beings, and that our judgements are really only a manifestation of our own jealousies, fears and insecurities. It is so easy to tell others just to 'let go' of some emotional crisis and then to explain exactly what we would do in their situation.

Primary topic: Meditation

1,343 views3/5 (1)

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Changing places

Changing places At one time a student of mine was asking about my time as a monk in the Theravada tradition of Buddhism. He listened to my words and when I had finished speaking he said, 'Ah yes, but the monks life is a special life.' I answered, 'Not when you're a monk.When you are a monk that life is your ordinary life.’

Primary topic: Meditation

1,225 views3/5 (1)

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

The Value of Patience

The value of Patiencenn The cultivation of patience is the highest practicen and Nibbana is the highest truth. The one who harms or upsets anothe is not a true disciple. Dhammapada: verse ...

Primary topic: Meditation

2,916 views

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Dhamma is everywhere

Dhamma is everywhere My teacher arrived back at his monastery one afte oon after visiting his other monastery in London. He came straight to the kitchen where I, as a monk, was making a cup of tea. His smile was enormous and he said immediately, "Paññadipa, I have just heard my whole philosophy in a song on the car radio." (He was searching for a news station and bumped into pop music.) "Really," I said, "What was it?" "Don't worry, be happy," He replied. rn(Don't worry, be happy: Bobby McFerrin 1988)

Primary topic: Meditation

1,504 views

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Another place

At one time I was flying out of Heathrow airport to go to India and conduct our annual series of ten day Vipassana Retreats at the International Meditation Centre in Budh Gaya. It was a stormy evening and the sky was black with clouds and occasional lightning flashes, a good indication of what was to come.r

Primary topic: Meditation

1,502 views

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Living from love

Our usual way of being is to live in accordance with the rules and regulations set down by others. To play other people's games. They tell us what is right and what is wrong, and most importantly, how we should behave. This is simply conditioning by our parents, our educational system and society in general. At a very early age we learn that certain modes of behaviour are either acceptable or not. We loose spontaneous action, because in our mind we always trapped by this conditioning. A student of mine telephoned me one day to ask a question.r

Primary topic: Meditation

1,482 views

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Spiritual reality & fantasy

At one time many years ago, I had a female student who came to learn Vipassana meditation with me. After some weeks she was met by a friend who also claimed a meditation practice.rn‘How long have you been learning?’ asked the friend.rn‘Oh, for about six weeks now,’ my student replied.rn‘Are you seeing green lights yet?’ continued the friend.rn‘No,’ replied my student somewhat startled by the question.rn‘Then your meditation isn’t working!’ said the friend.

Primary topic: Meditation

1,456 views

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Seeing the Buddha

Seeing the Buddhann He who sees me, sees the Dhamma, He who sees the Dhamma, sees me. Vakkali Sutta This short, but beautiful verse expresses completely our spiritual journey, and the goal ...

Primary topic: Meditation

1,449 views

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

On Being One With The Reality Of Life

An interview with Dhamma master Michael Kewley by Leonie Gschwendtberger rn'Dhamma is simple. Live with love and be aware. It is only the mind that complicates this teaching and says that it is not enough. The mind, invested as it is in fascination and distraction from simply being, always seeks something outside the reality of the moment.'rn- Michael Kewley On Being One With The Reality Of Life

Primary topic: Meditation

1,370 views

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Some Dhamma Questions & Answers

These are real questions asked in various forms on retreats or seminars. Perhaps some are your questions also ............... Question: Why is it that I seem to have such a problem with anger? Answer: It's interesting to notice the words we use to describe certain things, because it is our language that defines our relationship to a particular situation. As soon as we used the word ‘problem’, we have created a situation of conflict. We have in our mind an ideal scenario of how things should be for us all the time, and in this instance there is no room for anger.r

Primary topic: Meditation

1,283 views

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

The value of life

The value of life If you don’t let go of your worldly worries about the futurenand making a living, you will regret it. Follow the Way, or all of your days and nightsnwill have been lived for nothing. Zen Master Doge The function of the Dhamma Master is to encourage their disciples to ...

Primary topic: Meditation

1,226 views

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Ordinary Life

Ordinary Life A monk went to Joshu and said “I have just entered your monastery, please teach me.” Joshu asked, “Have you eaten your porridge?” The monk said, “Yes master, I have.” Joshu replied, “Then wash your bowl.”nn(Zen Koan) It is a ...

Primary topic: Meditation

1,202 views

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Living In Peace

Living in Peacen There is an old rule: The one who stays silent is criticised. The one who talks too much is also criticised. Even the one who speaks only a little is criticised. There is no-one in the world who is never criticised. Dhammapada: verse 227n Free from the world Criticism is ...

Primary topic: Meditation

1,173 views

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Being in balance

One of the qualities of spiritual progress is balance. This is achieved through the establishment of a calm and peaceful centre. Actually, this centre is not acquired by doing anything special, or by developing any particular talents or abilities, but by simply letting go of the minds natural tendency to operate in extremes.r

Primary topic: Meditation

1,133 views

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Chasing the peaceful mind

Meditating earnestly, the wise realise Nibbana, the highest happiness. Dhammapada Verse : 23 During one of our annual retreats at the International Meditation Centre, Budh Gaya, India some years ago, a young man from Holland came to me and said, ‘everytime I begin my meditatio I hear Beatles songs in my head, what should I do?’ I simply answered, 'let it be!' Hearing the song isn't important - it's singing along that brings the difficulties.

Primary topic: Meditation

1,083 views

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Inside attachment

Whatever we are attached to will hurt us. It is well understood that attachment is the condition for our suffering and that whatever we are attached to will hurt us This attachment will always manifests in a possessive relationship with life and everything that it contains, and is revealed in the words ‘I, me, mine and my.’ When using these words without wisdom and understanding we open the gates to our unhappiness. The answer to the question, ‘who suffers ?’ is always the same, ‘I do !’ Attachment is always possessive, but what is it that we think we own ?r

Primary topic: Meditation

1,079 views

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Dhamma in the family

Many, many years ago I knelt in front of my teacher and complained about my father, his attitude to me and his complete lack of understanding with my interest in Buddhism. He had recently said some things that had hurt me very much and even angered me. I needed to share that pain and find some support. My teacher listened while I poured my heart out about the current situation and finally when I had finished he smiled and said, rn‘Ah yes’, he said, ‘the Buddha had a lot of trouble with his father too.’

Primary topic: Meditation

1,071 views

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Prison Dhamma

The wise man will not look for the faults of others, or for what they have done or left undone. Rather he will look at his own misdeeds. Dhammapada verse : 50 Many years ago, whilst living on the Isle of Man, I was invited to present a Dhamma Talk at the local prison. I had become quite well known as a Buddhist practitioner and teacher, and then as now, always eager to serve the Dhamma, so I was happy to agree.

Primary topic: Meditation

1,049 views

By Michael KewleyRecently published1 topic

Being worthy

The one who loves the dhamma lives happily, with his mind at ease. Dhammapada verse :79 At 10.32 on the 10th May 1987, I became a monk, with the name Paññadipa, meaning Island of Wisdom. This, as my teacher told me, was reference to the fact that I come from an island, not because I was wise ! It was a very special time for me, not only because I could surrender completely into the ways of a Buddhist monk, but also becasue I would be even closer to my teacher, perhaps the most important person in my life at that time.r

Primary topic: Meditation

1,012 views

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