Maturity

What's maturity?

Excellent Definition provided by Buddhist Lamas....

1. Maturity is when you stop
trying to change o thers, ...
instead focus on changing
yourself.
2. Maturity is when you
accept people as they are.
3. Maturity is when you
understand everyone is right in their own perspective.
4. Maturity is when you
learn to "let go".
5. Maturity is when you are
able to drop "expectations"
from a relationship and give
for the sake of giving.
6. Maturity is when you
understand whatever you do,
you do for your own peace.
7. Maturity is when you stop
proving to the world,
how intelligent you are.
8. Maturity is when you don't
seek approval from others.
9. Maturity is when you stop
comparing with others.
10. Maturity is when you are
at peace with yourself.
11. Maturity is when you are
able to differentiate between "need" and "want" and are able to let go of your wants.

& last but most meaningful !

12. You gain Maturity when you stop attaching "happiness" to material things !!

wishing all a happy matured life.

Buddism

1) Ajahn Brahm: Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung?: Inspiring Stories for Welcoming Life's Difficulties.

2) Ajanh Brahm: Don't Worry, Be Grumpy: Inspiring Stories for Making the Most of Each Moment

http://www.lionsroar.com/buddhism-z-basic-buddhist-library/

INDIA

12 Buddhist Books To Read On Your Path To Enlightenment

Dive in to this ancient spiritual tradition.

 Mar 01, 2016

Antonia Blumberg Associate Religion Editor, The Huffington Post

AMAZON

Buddhism is one of the world’s oldest religions. Founded by Siddhartha Gautama, later known as the Buddha, circa the 5th century BCE, Buddhism outlines a path of personal spiritual enrichment through meditation and insight. Following in the Buddha’s footsteps, Buddhists seek to reach nirvana, or enlightenment, a state of transcendence free from suffering, desire and the cycle of death and rebirth.

Unlike Christianity or Islam, Buddhism does not have one central text that sums up the religion’s basic tenets. What people call “Buddhism” today is really a collection of different philosophies and schools of thought, ranging from Zen to Mahayana to Theravada.

If you’re seeking to explore Buddhism more deeply, here are 12 books that both practitioners and religious seekers can use to learn more about this ancient tradition.

Are there any books that we missed? Tell us in the comments below. And check out our other ReligionReads lists on Sikhism, Paganism and Seeker Spirituality.

‘The Heart Of The Buddha’s Teaching’

Amazon

The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh introduces the core teachings of Buddhism. The book explores concepts like the four noble truths, theeightfold path, the three doors of liberation and demonstrates their power to transform lives.

‘Real Happiness’

Amazon

Real Happiness, by renowned Buddhist teacher Sharon Salzberg, is a must-read for those interested in learning about the life-changing effects of starting a meditation practice.

‘On The Path To Enlightenment’

Amazon

On the Path to Enlightenment by renowned Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard is an anthology of key teachings from some of the most famous Buddhist teachers in history. The teachings touch on topics like the qualities of the mind, altruism, meditation and how to remove obstacles in your path.

‘Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind’

Amazon

Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki presents a clear, relatable exploration of Zen practice, from breathing techniques to the concept of non-duality. The book explains the importance of “beginner’s mind,” starting off with the line: “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.” 

‘When Things Fall Apart’

Amazon

Written by renowned Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart offers wisdom for dealing with pain and life’s difficulties from a Buddhist perspective. Chödrön shows how we may cultivate compassion and courage through painful experiences.

‘Radiant Mind’

Amazon

Radiant Mind is a collection of essential Buddhist teachings and texts edited by Jean Smith. In addition to the texts, the book includes commentaries and interpretations from Buddhist leaders like the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh and Jack Kornfield.

‘Being Upright’

Amazon

Being Upright by Reb Anderson introduces the fundamental concepts of Zen Buddhism and explores its ten basic precepts, including not killing, not stealing and not lying. The book offers a new kind of ethics based in compassion.

‘The Poetry Of Zen’

Amazon

Translated and edited by Sam Hamill and J.P. Seaton, The Poetry of Zen is a collection of Chinese and Japanese Zen poetry spanning from the tradition’s early days to the twentieth century. 

‘After The Ecstasy, The Laundry’

Amazon

After The Ecstasy, The Laundry by American vipassana teacher Jack Kornfield explains the everyday realities of being on a spiritual path. The book draws heavily from Kornfield’s own Buddhist tradition, while also exploring wisdom from Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Sufi traditions.

‘The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Buddhist Wisdom’

Amazon

Written by Gill Farrer-Halls, this illustrated introduction to Buddhism is great for beginners. The book includes the story of Prince Siddhartha and the spread of Buddhism, basic beliefs of Buddhism, quotes from teachers, practical instruction on how to meditate and more.

‘Nothing Holy About It’

Amazon

Tim Burkett’s Nothing Holy About It explores Zen teaching and aims to show readers that, as Amazon writes, “you don’t need to go looking for something holy— buddha nature is right here in front of you.”

‘Mindfulness In Plain English’

Amazon

We’ve all heard of mindfulness, but do we really understand what it means or how it works? Mindfulness In Plain English by Bhante Gunaratana explains this important concept for those interested in experiencing its transformative potential

Yoga

The Mudras are 10 in number.

* Please Note: While doing Mudras the free fingers have to be kept straight.
The 10 Hand posture are explained individually below.

1. Gyan Mudra or the Mudra of Knowledge
Method: Touch the tip of the thumb and the tip of the index or 1st finger together.The other 3 fingers have to be kept straight as shown in the picture.
Benefits:
A. It helps in meditation and concentration and reduces negativity of the mind.
B. It improves memory and with regular practice students can improve grades and intelligence.
C. It aids in alleviating headache, insomnia and hypertension and reduces anger.
Note: For better results do Prana Mudra after this Mudra

2. Vayu Mudra or Mudra of Air
In this Mudra, the tip of the index or 1st finger is touched to the base of the thumb and the thumb comes over the finger with a slight pressure of the thumb being exerted. Rest of the fingers remain straight as in the picture. Benefits:
A. By the practice of this mudra, all vayu ,that is, air related affections, like Arthritis,Gout, Sciatica,Knee pain,and Gas are relieved. It especially benefits in neck pain and spinal pain.

3. Shoonya Mudra or The Mudra of Emptiness
The tip of the middle finger is put at the base of the thumb and the thumb comes over the finger with slight pressure of the thumb being exerted on the finger as shown in the picture. The other 3 fingers are kept straight.
Benefits:
A. Regular practice of this Mudra helps in reducing ear pain and watering from the ears.
B. If this Mudra is done for 1 hour daily it can benefit in hardness of hearing .
C.The bones become strong and is beneficial in heart disease .
D. It strengthens gums and is helpful in throat problems and thyroid disease.
Precautions: This hand posture should never be done while eating or walking.

4. Prithvi Mudra or the Mudra of Earth
In this Mudra the tips of the thumb and the ring finger are touched together as in the picture. Rest of the fingers are kept straight. Benefits:
A. Regular practice of this Mudra, is helpful in body weakness, thinness and also obesity
B. It improves the functioning of the digestive system and reduces the defiency of vitamins.
C. It gives energy and lustre to the body.

5. Prana Mudra or the Mudra of Life
In this Mudra the tips of the thumb,ring finger and the little finger are touched together while keeping the other 2 fingers straight.
Benefits:
A. It awakens the dormant power of prana gives energy,health . It is beneficial in diseases of the eye and improves eyesight, raises body resistance to disease, reduces deficiency of vitamins, removes tiredness.
B.During fasting it reduces hunger pangs and thirst.
C.In insomnia, doing this hand posture, along with Gyan Mudra, helps in bringing on sleep.

6. Apan Mudra or the Mudra of Digestion
This mudra is made by joining the tips of the thumb, the middle finger and the ring finger keeping the other fingers straight. Benefits: A. Toxins are removed from the body and the body becomes pure. It also relieves constipation, piles, diseases caused by vayu or air, is helpful in diabetes, stoppage of urine,kidney defects and dental problems.
B. It is beneficial in stomach and heart diseases and brings out perspiration.
Please Note: It increases the flow of urine.

7. Apan Vayu Mudra or the Mudra of Heart.
This Mudra is a combination of Vayu Mudra and Apan Mudra. The tips of the thumbs,the middle finger and the ring finger touch each other while the index finger touches the base of the thumbwith a slight pressure. The little finger remains straight.
Benefits:
IT gives the benefit of Apan Mudra and Vayu Mudra as explained earlier.
A. It is helpful in Heart and Vayu diseases and gives health. People with a weak heart should do it daily. It is very beneficial to people who have just had a heart attack.
B. It removes gas from the stomach,aids in asthma,headache and high blood pressure.
C. If it is done 5 to 7 minutes before climbing stairs,it aids in easy climbing.

8. Surya Mudra or Mudra of the Sun

This Mudra is done by touching the tip of the ring finger to the base of the thumb and exerting pressure on the finger with the thumb as in the picture.
Benefits: A. It balances the body,reduces body weight and obesity. It increases body heat and helps in digestion.
B.It reduces hypertension and cholesterol and builds strength.
C.It is beneficial in diabetes and liver defects.

Precautions: Weak persons should not do this hand posture and DO NOT do this hand posture for a long time in hot weather.

9. Varun Mudra or Mudra of Water
This Mudra is made by touching the tips of the thumb and the little finger.
Benefits
A. It reduces dryness of the skin and improves skin lustre and softness.
B It is useful in Skin diseases ,acne and blood defects . It improves facial beauty.
Precautions :Persons suffering from Asthma and respiratory problems should do this Mudra for a short duration only.

10. Ling Mudra or the Mudra of Heat
Cloes the fist as in the picture.Keep the left hand thumb straight and the rest of the fingers clasped as shown in the picture.
Benefits
A. This mudra increases heat in the body and can cause sweating even in winter if done for a long time.
B. It helps in cold, coryza, asthma, cough, sinus problems and low blood pressure.
C. It dries phlegm.
Precautions : When doing this Mudra please increase intake of water, fruit, fruit juices,clarified butter (Ghee) and milk.
DO NOT do this hand posture for a long duration.

# Concluding Remarks : These are the 10 Hast Mudras which if done regularly, for the prescribed duration and following the outlined precautions will be extremely beneficial to one's health.