shaolin

Why train in Shaolin? Inner peace in our modern world.

There are people who have a stirring inside them–—qualities that lay dormant, potential untapped, energy to give and aspirations unfulfilled. Are you one of these people? You engage with the world. You’re not afraid of idealism or cynicism for that matter. You embrace the mystery . . .

Here is a dharma talk by Reb Anderson, senior dharma teacher at Green Dragon Temple (Green Gulch Farm)  near Muir Woods, CA. Shaolin Kung Fu sprang up in the middle of zen practice.  The Shaolin Temple today still sees zen as an integral part of the practice. . . .

“Buddhism and Martial Arts are one. The study of martial arts requires great concentration. When a person focuses their mind on practicing their martial arts, they clear their mind of all distracting thoughts. This is analogous to Ch’an (Zen) meditation, where a person tries to . . .

Mindfulness practice connects us to our present moment.We become very aware of the here happening right now.Do we have that awareness when we start to move?The breath is available to anchor this present now.We focus on breath to find stillness, usually while sitting in a . . .

What can it mean to be intimate with another person? How do our practices help us realize that intimacy? Forms and exercises allow us to “just be” with each other and help us find that intimacy in daily life. 

Dharma talk on the fortuitous acceptance of Huike as Damo’s student. In 527 CE, an Indian monk the Chinese call Damo (Bodhidharma) came to Shaolin. The legend says he sat in meditation in a cave near the Temple for nine years. But this alone was . . .