The woman faster than Bruce Lee

(Untold the Legacy of Bruce Lee) Female Karate Master Maki Uehara, Okinawa

Bruce Lee amazing skills: real or AI slop?

• Bruce Lee's punch was too fast to block
• VIDEO: My Kick Ass American Zen
• What happened to Doggone? Zen koans (TED)
• VIDEO: From US Marine to Zen monk

When they stole 'First Sleep' from us

(Erased Century)

During the three watches of the night till dawn

Again and again in ancient Buddhist texts, including descriptions of the wandering ascetic Siddhartha's own "great awakening" (maha-bodhi), the enlightenment (bodhi) that led him to become the Buddha, "the Awakened One," were the "watches of the night."

These were the natural cycles of sleep (now referred to as polyphasic or biphasic sleep) and waking, which included "first sleep."

 

Emerging from first sleep, one is calm and in a naturally "meditative" state (calm, samatha) conducive to samadhi (mental coherence, superconsciousness). This samma-samadhi (defined in Buddhism as the eight meditative absorptions or jhanas) are crucial to attaining liberating insight (vipassana).

Calm is the very foundation of heart/mind purification (vissudhi-magga, the "path of purification") that insight-practices (described in the two Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourses) are built on.

The bases for this calm are virtue (sila) and diligent persistence, not loose living and then over-efforting as most of us seem to think is the answer to tackling all things nowadays. Virtue leads naturally to peace of mind leads naturally to insight, not in and of themselves but progressively by consistent practice.

• Watches of the night
• The vigil or "wake (ceremony)" around death refers to this
• The original translations of sati (Buddhist "mindfulness") were "wakefulness," "attentiveness," "watchfulness," "vigilance," "diligence," "assiduousness," non-absentmindedness, non-drowsiness, non-diffusion, non-scattered attention, and one might add "calm persistence" rather than force or struggle, greedy striving or straining.
• Watchkeeping

These "watches" of the night were not an ancient Indian invention that the Buddha-to-be Siddhartha invented. They are our human birthright as Homo sapien sapiens. We are wired this way, and industrialization took it away for capitalism and Christianity's sake.

The British seem to have coined "watch" of the night, but all Americans used to turn in, wake up, do family things together, including eating together, then go back to sleep. This was natural. This was taken for granted. This is the way it had always been since our caveperson days.

Who took it away and why? It's clear that it was capitalist industrialists weaponizing the West's Christian religion.

Curing the Five Hindrances of mind/heart

(Venerable Gotami) Stuck in life? These Five Things (Hindrances) are hold you back

1. Sense craving (kāmacchanda): seeking pleasure through the five senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and physical feeling.
2. Ill-will (vyāpāda): feelings of anger, hostility, vengefulness, resentment, hatred, and bitterness.
3. Sloth-and-torpor (thīna-middha): mental and physical lack of energy with little to no ability to make effort toward samadhi or concentration.
4. Restlessness-and-worry (uddhacca-kukkucca): the inability to calm the mind and bring it to stillness (samadhi) and focus one's energy.
5. Skeptical doubt (vicikiccha): lack of confidence, conviction, faith in the practice and one's ability to succeed in calm and insight toward enlightenment and liberation.

• The Five Hindrances (pancha-nívarana)

Etymology

According to Gil Fronsdal, the Pali term (nīvaraṇa) translated as "hindrance" actually means "covering." What these hindrances cover over are: the clarity of our mind, as well as our ability to be mindful, wise, concentrated, and stay on purpose [1].

According to earlier translations by Rhys Davids, the Pali term nīvaraṇa (Sanskrit nivāraṇa) refers to an obstacle or hindrance in the ethical sense, usually enumerated in a set of five [7].

In Pali language literature: Pali canon

In the Pali canon's Samyutta Nikaya, several sutras or discourses juxtapose the Five Hindrances with the Seven Factors of Enlightenment (satta-bojjhanga) [a].

For instance, according to SN 46.37, the Buddha states: "Meditators, there are these Five Hindrances, obstructions, corruptions of mind, weakeners of wisdom. What are the five?

1. Sensual craving...
2. ill-will...
3. sloth-and-torpor...
4. restlessness-and-remorse...
5. skeptical doubt...

"There are, meditators, these Seven Factors of Enlightenment, which are nonhindrances, nonobstructions, noncorruptions of mind/heart. When cultivated and developed, they lead to the realization of the fruit of true knowledge and liberation. 

"What are the seven? The enlightenment factor of mindfulness... equanimity... [8][b]."

Ven. Anālayo emphasizes: To overcome the hindrances, to practice satipatthana [the Four Foundations], and to establish the awakening factors [the Seven Factors of Enlightenment] are, indeed, according to several Pali discourses, the key aspects and the distinctive features common to the awakenings of all buddhas of the past, present, and future [9].

Ven. Anālayo supports this by identifying that, in all extant Sanskrit and Chinese versions of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourse (Satipatthana Sutta), only the Five Hindrances and Seven Factors of Enlightenment are consistently identified under the dhamma contemplation section.

Contemplations of the Five Aggregates clung to as self, Six Sense Bases and Four Noble Truths are not included in one or more of these non-Pali language versions [9].

In terms of gaining insight into and overcoming the Five Hindrances, according to the discourse on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, the Buddha proclaimed:

 

"How, meditators, does a meditator live contemplating mental objects in the mental objects of the Five Hindrances? Herein [within this Doctrine and Discipline], meditators, when sense-craving is present, one knows, "There is sense-craving in me."

When sense-craving is not present, one knows, "There is no sense-craving in me."

One knows how the arising of the non-arisen sense-craving comes to be; one knows how the abandoning of the arisen sense-craving comes to be; and one knows how the non-arising in the future of the abandoned sense-craving comes to be [10]. More: The Five Hindrances

How to develop Four Elements Meditation

How to develop Four-Elements Meditation

Full of practical info, not theory

In the Pali language texts, there are two ways for developing the Four Elements Meditation, in brief and in detail.

The brief method explained here is meant for those of quick understanding. The detailed method is meant for those who have difficulty with the brief method.

The Buddha taught the brief method in the Maha Satipatthana Sutta (the “Greater Discourse on Setting Up the Four Foundations of Mindfulness”): A meditator reviews this very body however it is positioned or placed as consisting of just elements: “There are in this body just the earth-element, the water-element, the fire-element, and the air-element” (The Path of Purification, Visuddhimagga, Ch.XI, para. 41–43) explains further:

First, one of quick understanding who wishes to develop this meditation should go to a solitary place. Then one should advert [turn attention towards] one's entire material body and discern the elements in brief in this way:

Western (British) Sayalay now Beth Upton

“In this body

1. what is hard or rough is [to be regarded as] 'earth element,'
2. what is flowing or cohesive is 'water-element,'
3. what is maturing (ripening) or heat [temperature] is 'fire-element,'
4. what is pushing or supporting is 'air-element.'”

One should advert and give attention to it and review it again and again as [simply] “earth-element, water-element, fire-element, air-element,” that is to say, as mere elements [components, qualities, characteristics], not as a being but as selfless.

 

As one applies attention in this way, in no long time, concentration [stillness] arises, which is reinforced by understanding that illuminates the classification [labelling] of the elements.

 

This is only access-concentration* and does not reach absorption [a fully absorbed or concentrated condition] because it has states with individual essences as its object.

• [*“Neighborhood or access-concentration” (upacāra-samādhi) is the degree of concentration (stillness, centeredness, mental-settling, focus) just before entering the absorptions or jhānas.]

Alternatively, there are these four [bodily] parts mentioned by Ven. Sariputta for the purpose of showing the absence of any self in the Four (great primary) Elements:

“When a space is enclosed with bones, sinews, flesh, and skin, there comes to be the term 'material form' (rupa)” (M. I. p. 190). And one should resolve each of these, separating them out by the hand of knowledge, then discern in the way already stated (above): “In these what is hardness…as its objects.”

 

This is the method taught at Burma's Pa-Auk Meditation Centre. Discern in the body:

• 1. Earth-element: hardness, roughness, heaviness, softness, smoothness, lightness.
• 2. Water-element: flowing, cohesion.
• 3. Fire-element: heat, coldness.
• 4. Air-element: supporting, pushing [for a total of 12 characteristics lumped into four categories called the Four Elements, the dhatu or maha-bhuta].

To learn this meditation, one must begin by learning how to discern each of the 12 qualities or characteristics of the Four Elements one at a time.

Usually, the beginner must first be taught the characteristics that are easier [more obvious] to discern then the more difficult [subtle] ones later. The “Four” Elements are therefore usually taught in this order:

1. pushing,
2. hardness,
3. roughness,
4. heaviness,
5. supporting,
6. softness,
7. smoothness,
8. lightness,
9. heat,
10. coldness,
11. flowing,
12. cohesion.

Each characteristic must be discerned first in one place in the body then one must try discerning that same characteristic throughout the body.

1. To discern “pushing”...  More

I don't get it. Help!

Author Shaila Catherine

Fortunately for us in the United States, Americans have gone to Burma, practiced under Pa Auk Sayadaw, succeeded in attaining the absorptions and insight and on occasion written books about it. They are in America. They teach. We can recommend these seven:

1. Beth Upton (British)
2. Shaila Catherine
3. Stephen Snyder
4. Dr. Tina Rasmussen
5. Dr. Nikki Mirghafori
6. Katie Kalyani (Midwest Samsara)
7. Thomas Dhammadipa (Czech polyglot).

There are also successful monastic disciples of the Great Pa Auk Sayadaw:

1. Ven. Sayadaw U Aggañña (now permanently stationed in Los Angeles)
2. Sayalay Susila (abbess of Appamada Vihari Meditation Center, Penang, Malaysia)
3. Sayalay Dipankara (Burmese traveling nun)
4. Ven. Revata (Pa Auk Forest Monastery, Burma)
5. Ven. Mahinda (Pa Auk Forest Monastery, Burma).

• Pa Auk Sayadaw, Four Elements (Pt. 2, p. 19) re-edited by Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly

What if we observe our mind?

What happens when we truly (dispassionately) observe our mind? | Buddhist Wisdom

Is Shaolin Zen Temple kung fu real?

Buddhist vs. Shaolin monks: What's the difference?

Maling Shaolin Kung Fu Academy edited by Wisdom Quarterly

Shaolin Temple, nestled in the Songshan Mountains of China's Henan Province, is renowned for its rich history and dual traditions of Buddhism and martial arts.

Within its sacred walls, both peaceful Buddhist monks and Shaolin "warrior monks" live and practice, each following distinct paths of spiritual and physical cultivation, providing a fascinating glimpse into two distinct yet intertwined traditions.

Explore the daily lives, rites of passage, and unique practices of these Buddhist monks, revealing a rich tapestry of discipline, devotion, and heritage that continues to captivate and inspire people around the world.

A difference in monks

Buddhist monks can be found in various regions across the world, each embodying the diverse traditions and practices of Buddhism.

In [Mahayana Buddhist] China, there are multiple sects such as Chan (Zen) Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism [which claims to be a distinct branch called Vajrayana], each with its unique rituals, teachings, and monastic disciplinary codes.

Outside of China, Buddhism existed in an earlier form in countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, with Theravada Buddhism being predominant in Southeast Asia.

Mahayana Buddhism flourishes in East Asia, including financial powerhouses Japan and Singapore.

These regional differences lead to a rich variety of practices [and old and misleading distinctions like "Northern" and "Southern" schools, extant Mahayana vs. defunct Hinayana], from the monasticism of Theravada Southeast Asia to meditative and austere lifestyle of Japanese Zen monks to the vibrant rituals and chanting of Tibetan monks [and other Himalayan traditions in Nepal, Bhutan, India, Mongolia, and Russia].

Despite these regional differences, all Buddhist monastics (monks and nuns) share a common dedication to the principles of mindfulness (sati), ethical living (sila), and the pursuit of enlightenment (bodhi).

So what’s the difference between Chinese Mahayana Buddhist monks and Shaolin monks?

Buddhist monks

Literary monastics (wenseng) study

Religious affiliation: Buddhist monks adhere to the teachings and practices of "Buddhism" -- which might be divided between those who follow the historical Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) and those who have moved beyond that to devotional practices worshipping Cosmic Buddhas like Amitabha and Vairocana or great Bodhisattvas like Budai and Guan Yin.

Buddhism a spiritual tradition that encompasses many schools and sects. Buddhism originated in proto-India and spread to other parts of Asia [particularly South and Central Asia] then to China, where it became one of the three major religions along with Confucianism and Taoism.

Monastic orders

Warrior monks (wuseng) train to fight

Buddhist monastics belong to monastic orders or communities (sanghas), where they take vows of celibacy, poverty, and self-discipline.

They devote their lives to the pursuit of enlightenment and the alleviation of suffering, following the Noble (Ennobling) Eightfold Path and other Buddhist principles.

Spiritual practices

Buddhist monastics engage in a wide range of spiritual practices, including sitting meditation, walking meditation, mindfulness practices, protection (paritta) chanting, sutra recitation, and ritual ceremonies.

They seek to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and mindfulness through their practices, aiming to attain nirvana -- liberation from the cycle of rebirth and death known as samsara. More: Buddhist vs. Shaolin Monks: What's the Difference?

• VIDEO: The Happiness Project: Shaolin Kung Fu
• Maling Shaolin Kung Fu Academy; Chinese militant fights real Shaolin kung fu master; Sacred Wonders - BBC, 2019; CC Liu, Pfc. Sandoval, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Chinese, Korean, Japanese differences

Calm herbs, Planting Medicine (radio)

Classes (Now and Then Herb School)

Sam Roberts (Now and Then Herb School) explores herbal preparations to treat FEAR.

Hear it in Berkeley on KPFA or Los Angeles on KPFK. What does the Nature's plant farmacy have to help us on our journey to calm and ease?

Planting Medicine airs Tuesdays at 1:00 pm (Pacific Time). The show enhances the community’s knowledge of HERBAL MEDICINE by sharing voices of traditional, holistic healers and healing practices.

• 
  LISTEN: Herbs for Fear | KPFA Planting Medicine – 1:00 pm, March 18, 2025 (heard on March 11th)
• Hear/download: Online Archives - KPFK
• Planting Medicine (KPFA program)
• The Herbal Highway Archives | KPFA

Hosted and produced by Emiliano Lemus and Renée Camila. Find archived episodes of The Herbal Highway hosted and produced by Emiliano Lemus and Renée Camila. Archived episodes: The Herbal Highway.

Why study herbalism?

Renée Camila, Mount Shasta, California

“I don't identify as an herbalist, healer, or have a particular interest in medicine.

“So initially I wasn't sure why I felt so drawn to participate in the first cohort of The Home Herbalist (previously the Now and Then Herbal Apprenticeship).

“Several years later, I continue to thank my lucky stars that I followed that impulse and connected with Sam, Renée, and the beautiful cohort I was privileged to be a part of.

Who has time to learn about sacred herbs?

“I think about conversations we had and lessons I learned from them just about every day. With deeply thoughtful, grounded, informative, compassionate, and soulful curriculum, teaching, and guidance, I don't hesitate to recommend this program even if, like me, you don't identify as an herbalist or healer.

“For me it was a loving investment in my own everyday relationship to plants, magic, and medicine on a personal level.

“Watching Sam and Renée follow their paths and cultivate meaningful work in community and relationship is a joy and an inspiration.”

Listen to show at KPFA or archive.kpfk.org

• CLASSES | Renée Camila | Herbalism and Birthwork
• CLASSES | Sam Johnson | Home and Hearth Herbs
• Pacifica Free Speech Radio, Berkeley and Los Angeles, archive.kpfk.org, 1:00 pm, March 11, 2025; Kellly Ani and Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Stories: Urgency of spiritual practice

Motivational stories to calm the mind

(Buddhist Insights Journey) In today’s fast-paced world, finding peace can feel difficult. However, the timeless wisdom of the historical Buddha reminds us that true tranquility lies within. The "Buddha Story Motivational and Calm Your Mind" brings inspiring tales from the Buddha’s life, offering lessons to uplift, soothe, and guide toward inner peace. These stories help overcome challenges, reduce stress, and find harmony, showing that calm begins with the mind and has the power to transform life.

• 00:00 Intro: Buddha motivational stories to calm the mind
• 00:41 1. The Parable of the Burning House
• 04:44 2. The Bamboo Grove and Patience
• 09:21 3. The Story of the Lost Ox sound
• 13:41 4. The Buddha and the Mirror
• 17:28 5. The Parable of the Poisoned Honey
• 21:44 6. The Fasting Monk and Compassion
• 26:09 7. The Story of the Generous King
• 30:08 8. The Monk and the Tree
• 34:40 9. The Story of the Rich Man and His Wishes
• 40:43 10. Story of the Buddha and the Beggar
• 44:32 11. The Parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant
• 47:46 12. The Buddha and the Robe of Gratitude
• 51:05 13. The Lesson of the Golden Fish
• 55:46 14. The Serial Killer Angulimala who became a Saint
• 01:04:03 15. The Buddha and the Broken Bowl
• 01:07:03 16. The Parable of the Snake
• 01:10:36 17. Story The Buddha and the Hungry Tigress
• 01:14:30 18. The Farmer and His Troubles
• 01:19:28 19. The Buddha and the Flower Sermon
• 01:24:54 20. The Buddha and the Glass of Water
• 01:28:11 Thanks for listening

• Popular videos
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Thanks for joining us on this journey through the wisdom of the Buddha. Found these stories inspiring and helpful in calming the mind? Remember to like this video and subscribe to the Buddhist Insights channel for more motivational content and spiritual guidance. Stay connected for more teachings that bring peace, clarity, and wisdom into daily life.

DISCLAIMER: The materials and the information available at this channel are intended for general and educational purposes only. All the videos, pictures, and music used in videos have a license that allows commercial use.

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

#story #stories #buddhastory #buddhastories #storymotivational #calmyourmind #buddha #buddhist #buddhism #buddiststory #buddhistinsightsjourney #buddhistinsights #buddhastorytocalmyourmind #buddhastorymotivational #buddhastorymeditation #buddhastorymoral #buddhastorieswithmorals #buddhastoryforpeaceofmind #buddhiststoryonmindcontrol #buddhiststoryonmindset #storiesbuddha #storybuddist #storybuddha #wisdomstories #wisdomstory #buddhistinsights #buddhistinsightsjourney 

• Buddhist Insights Journey, Nov. 28, 2024; CC Liu, Dhr. Seven, Pat Macpherson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

What is vipassana (insight) meditation?

The Buddha's answer: What exactly is vipassanā?

Ego Podcast (Buddhism) Jan. 9, 2025: Many believe vipassanā (pronounced \vee-paw-saw-naw\) is said to be a standalone meditation technique distinct from samatha (\saw-maw-taw\), but the Buddha’s teachings suggest a deep integration of these practices. They are not standalone methods at all. Explore the truth about vipassanā and its role in successful Buddhist practice.

This video explores what vipassanā ("clear seeing") truly means, its role alongside samatha, and how they contribute to ultimate liberation. It is only on the basis of calm, stillness, and serenity developed through samatha that successful vipassana is possible. The first is the rocket fuel that feeds the second.

Like, comment, and subscribe to deepen understanding of the Buddha’s teachings. #VipassanaMeditation #SamathaAndVipassana #BuddhaTeachings #MeditationTechniques #InsightAndTranquility.

The Contentment Sutra (SN 16.1)

150 inspiring quotes on the quality of contentment for spiritual progress (quote.cc)

.

Long Discourses of the Buddha

"Contentment"? What the Avici is that? Imagine a disposition of mind, a mood, of everything being fulfilled, everything being fine, having enough... The Laws of Attraction and Vibration and One would be so proud we made it. Here we are, at peace. There is a useful opposing force we sometimes cultivate called "a sense of urgency" or samvega. Most of us being lazy, it's probably better to develop enthusiasm and a spiritual quickening. But, actually, too much striving does not help and is counterproductive. It ruins a practice: efforting, manly (virility or viriya) energy, straining. There's a place for it. But it's better to follow the Buddha's "gradual or progressive instruction" (anupubbikathā) to peace: calm (the result of virtue), wakeful stillness (cultivated as the absorptions), and fourfold mindfulness for insight the is the Middle Way that avoids extremes and is the direct path to enlightenment and nirvana.

In this spirit, here is British translator of Wisdom Publications' The Long Discourses of the Buddha (Digha Nikaya) Maurice Walshe:

SUTRA: "Contentment"

"Meditators, Kassapa [1] here is content with any old patchwork robe. He praises contentment with any robe, and he commits no offense of rule or etiquette [2] on account of his wardrobe.

"If he has no robe, he worries not; if he has, he enjoys the use of it without clinging or foolish attachment, committing no offense, aware of the danger [of developing attachment and clinging] he wisely avoids it [3].

"Kassapa is content with whatever food offerings he gets... whatever lodgings... whatever medicinal requisites... he enjoys the use of these without clinging or foolish attachment, committing no offense, aware of the danger, he wisely avoids it.

"Therefore, meditators, train yourselves in this way: We will be content with whatever robe... food offerings... lodgings... medicines... that we might get... We will enjoy the use of them without clinging or foolish attachment, committing no offense, aware of the danger, we will wisely avoid it.

"Meditators, I exhort you all using Kassapa as the example, or someone like Kassapa. Exhorted in this way, practice to gain the goal" [4].

NOTES

1. Maha (Great) Kassapa, one of the Buddha's chief disciples who later became the leader of the Monastic Sangha, who convened the First Buddhist Council, organized the Dhamma into a religion after the Buddha's final nirvana, and who was declared by the Buddha as the foremost in the practice of the sane ascetic practices.
2. Unlike, for example, the Buddha's half-brother, the princely monk Nanda (SN 21.8).
3. Nissara napañño: literally, "wise as to liberation."
4. Tathatta: the state of "thusness" or "suchness," nirvana (nibbana). With a different suffix there is the almost equivalent term tathata, found mainly in Mahayana texts, but also occurring in The Path of Purification (VM XVII, 6), etc., where it means "the state of being really so."

• Maurice O'Connell Walshe (trans.), Santuttham Sutta: "Discourse on Contentment" (SN 16.1 PTS: S ii 194 CDB i 662), with Pali title based on the PTS (Feer) edition; edited by Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly

Full Moon manifestation: "Beaver Moon"

We found the magic frequency. (This will revolutionize our future)

Full Moon manifestation: November's "Beaver Moon" Manifestation

(Meditation and Healing) Streamed live on Nov. 14, 2024: This month's full moon peaks on Friday, November 15 — the last supermoon of 2024. We can manifest anything we desire.

🙏 Namaste. Meditation and Healing is a YouTube channel that serves up the best meditation, healing, relaxing, and sleep music. It is composed with different kinds of instruments, blending 432 Hz and 528 Hz Solfeggio frequencies.

This channel was created on Dec. 8th, 2014, with the aim of providing digital space for those who are going through stress, anxiety, insomnia, and depression.

432Hz and 528Hz EXPLAINED: Most powerful frequencies in the universe

The music is composed with beautiful piano, melodious flute, soothing pads, relaxing bells, and many other instruments. This relaxing music helps relieve stress. Relieve negative feelings like anxiety to enhance positive energy.

It can also give meditation techniques a boost if used to soothe while meditating. It also has a healing capacity to find inner peace and heal within.

This music combines to help people overcome stress and anxiety. It used precise professional music production and recording software to provide the best audio quality and experience.

Most of the music on this channel is composed with a combination of instruments and nature sounds.

To enhance the music experience, we also add video with moving graphics and animation, editing them with a sense of flair. We hope to create and present more relaxing and meditative music videos in the future. Thanks and have a great time.

Going Zen at home with Jennifer Garner

Balance: Taoist-Buddhist yin-yang symbol showing the seeds of the opposite on each side

Let's go to Jen Affleck's house to help her.

(Homes & Garden) Thoughts of a Los Angeles "farmhouse" may not immediately lead to a Zen Garden (or, more specifically, a pool area), but Hollywood actor Jennifer Garner has just challenged our conventions.

The actress's pared-back exterior space (architecturally designed by Steve Giannetti) makes a case for minimalist garden design – most notably thanks to its lack of planting, poolside furniture, and accessories.

• The Zen of Jen (and Ben) | Marie Claire She's the nicest girl in town, but as a newish mom in 2007 and as Ben Affleck's wife, Jennifer Garner is finally learning to show some steel. Now in 2024 he's miserable because Latin dreamboat Jennifer Lopez has dumped him again, so Jen and Matt Damon have to keep him off the ledge.

(Live_Online #A) Jen Garner does a live at home guided meditation
with r. Chelsea online: Forgiving a piece of yourself (Feb. 17, 2021).

However, despite the absence of decoration, Garner's pool area is anything but boring. Instead, it's soothing, grounding, and designed so that the wood (from both the house and the decking) can take center stage.

• Zen is a Japanese word from Chinese (Chán). The Korean (Sŏn), Vietnamese (Thiền), Pali (Jhana), and Sanskrit (Dhyana) are all words for "meditation," more specifically a kind of serene state of absorption. "Zen" in everyday use refers to the practices in the popular imagination rather than a Mahayana Buddhist school that originated in China (禪宗, chánzōng, the Chan School, "meditation school") or the Buddha-mind school (佛心宗, fóxīnzōng) [1] that later developed into various sub-schools and branches. Zen was strongly influenced by Taoism ☯️, especially Neo-Daoist thought, and developed into a distinct school of Chinese Buddhism [2]. China got Zen from India, Chán deriving from Buddhist dhyana. It then spread south to Vietnam and became Vietnamese Thiền, northeast to Korea to become Seon Buddhism, and east to Japan, becoming Japanese Zen Buddhism [3]. Zen emphasizes serenity meditation practice and direct insight into one's own innate "Buddha nature" (見性, Chinese jiànxìng, Japanese kenshō), and the personal expression of this insight in daily life for the benefit of others [4, 5]. Wiki edited by WQ

Native American practice? Jen's rain dance for LA

This natural material works in harmony with the surrounding greenery and pool water to bring a sense of calmness to the area, and it's one of the finest (and one of the most beautifully simple) examples of a Zen Garden we've observed over the reign of this ever-growing outdoor trend.

A pool makes me feel cool in the garden

• (Marie Claire) A rolled-up yoga mat and a baby stroller is pretty much all you need to blend in at the farmhouse-red Brentwood Country Mart in West Los Angeles [outside of Tinsel Town, closer to UCLA], where Jennifer Garner has asked me to meet her. The cozy-looking place is an apt choice for Hollywood's most down-to-earth star, except for the novelty item being sold at the bakery today: $5 cupcakes commemorating Paris Hilton's imminent trip to jail. There's a camera crew set up by the cash register. In a pair of blue jeans, a short-sleeve polka-dot blouse, and sneakers, Garner is walking along...when I stroll over to say hi. At which point she shoots me a curt "hello" and turns her back. Cuts me dead, [b*tch]. But it's half of the Bennifer! More
• 20 things millionaires refuse to buy despite having money

Stalking Nirvana (Sings-Alone)

Alongside Garner's (unintentional) approval, experts say we owe the rise of Zen-style gardens to their therapeutic qualities – many of which translate to spaces of all sizes (whether we have a pool or not). The key is in the simplicity, they explain.

"Compared to cottage and country garden-style gardens, this style of outdoor space is uncomplicated and paired back. It doesn’t feature a lot of different flowers, creating a sense of peace and tranquility," comments Marcus Eyles, the horticultural director at Dobbies.

• Kelly Ladwig - Nashville Realtor | Anyone else walk down the street and wish they could get a peek into everyone’s home? (Instagram)

"The aim is to create a space with a modern feel – light and clean lines are important when it comes to establishing a sense of Zen." More

VIDEO: Inside Jennifer Garner’s Farm-Style L.A. Home | Open Door | Architectural Digest

(Architectural Digest) Sept. 3, 2024: Today, AD is welcomed by Jennifer Garner to tour her farm-style home in Los Angeles. When designing Garner’s home, there was no Pinterest board or pictures from a magazine; it was simply an in-depth discussion with designers Steve and Brooke Giannetti and a watercolor painting of their vision. Together, they designed a farmhouse-style oasis full of warmth and character. From her wooden kitchen with a dedicated baking station to an orchard in the backyard, it’s easy to forget Garner lives among the hustle and bustle of LA. “I wanted it to feel old and cool and historic, but I also wanted to make it work for a big family with a lot of things going on.”

• How Jennifer Garner uses wood to ground her Zen pool area | Homes & Gardens (homesandgardens.com)
• Home & Garden via MSN.com; Architectural Digest, 9/3/24; Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Dhr. Seven, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly Wiki edit Zen