Hi all,

I hope you are all experiencing a wonderful shift into Fall (or Spring if you are down under.) I hadn't realized it had been so long since I sent a newsletter, and hence I have 3 new articles that have posted since last time. Also, see below for information on my latest Feminine Energy Body Empowerment teleseminar starting this Sunday, which, although not strictly speaking Buddhist, does draw on Tantric Buddhist teachings.

But first, this month's articles:

Zen Ghosts - Children's Book Review
Zen and Halloween? Sure! In this third children's book featuring Stillwater, a beloved giant koan-speaking panda, the theme of 'what is real?' is explored through Halloween costumes and imagery. A ghost story-within-the-story, based on an ancient Zen koan, further explores this theme.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art68922.asp

Metta or Lovingkindness Meditation
Metta, or 'lovingkindness', meditation is a beautiful spiritual practice common to many Buddhist schools that anyone can practice and benefit from, Buddhist or not. It begins by helping us cultivate feelings of self-love, and concludes with feelings of metta towards all beings.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art178470.asp

The Diamond Sutra
The Diamond Sutra is one of the most significant Mahayana Buddhist sutras, which includes both Zen and Tibetan Buddhism. Within it, the Buddha teaches about the illusoriness of all phenomena, including the spiritual ideals we may become attached to.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art178203.asp

Be sure to chime in in the Buddhism forum:
http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=351

As I mentioned, I am starting a 4-week teleseminar this Sunday, Feminine Energy Body Empowerment. This course draws on many different energy body teachings and practices, including Tantric Buddhism, to help you connect to the deepest levels of creation within your own subtle body. More information is available here:

http://mommymystic.wordpress.com/womens-energetics/sacral-chakra-teleseminar/

In closing, I offer you this passage on metta from Buddhist teacher Sharon Salzberg, from her book Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness:

"Metta sees truly that our integrity is inviolate, no matter what our life situation may be. We do not need to fear anything. We are whole: our deepest happiness is intrinsic to the nature of our minds, and it is not damaged through uncertainty and change."

May all beings be happy!

In Peace,
Lisa Erickson, Buddhism Editor
http://buddhism.bellaonline.com
http://www.MommyMystic.com

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