THE SECOND ARROW
Daily Zen Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner Daily Zen Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner

THE SECOND ARROW

There's a parable the Buddha gifted us to relate with suffering more skillfully. Any time we suffer affliction, two arrows are let loose in our direction. To be pierced by the first arrow is painful. To be struck by the second arrow is even more excruciating.

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FILL YOUR HEART
Daily Zen Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner Daily Zen Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner

FILL YOUR HEART

Our daily practice helps us widen our window of tolerance so we can face what is coming up for us openly and without judgment. When we experience this way, our relationship with pain and suffering transforms…

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SEE THE CONTEXT
Daily Zen Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner Daily Zen Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner

SEE THE CONTEXT

Sometimes we get so fixated on our point of view that we see everything through the lens of our conceptual understanding. There's an old saying that "if you only have a hammer, then everything looks like a nail". 

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EXPLORE DEVOTION
Daily Zen Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner Daily Zen Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner

EXPLORE DEVOTION

When we place our hearts and our longings outside of the realm of the small self, we create the possibility of wonder. In this place, we explore the boundlessness that is our true nature.

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CONFRONT YOUR CRITIC
Daily Zen Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner Daily Zen Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner

CONFRONT YOUR CRITIC

We're more likely to believe the truthfulness of negative sentiments as compared to positive ones. This positive-negative asymmetry gives birth to our notorious inner-critic.

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STAY OPEN
Daily Zen Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner Daily Zen Sensei Michael Shikan Brunner

STAY OPEN

Stay open to the present moment and embody the compassion you want for this planet.

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