By the Way: March 2011

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Haiku Examples

Haiku of Loneliness:

So alone without you
in a world full of people--
lonely like us both.

Haiku of Indecision:

I cannot make up
my mind; do I want to be
a writer or monk?

Haiku on Contemplation on Death:

The story of my
life could be funny, touching,
inspiring and short!

Haiku of Bigotry

Dangerous colors--
fools want to paint the rainbow
in their own color.

Haiku of Half-Regrets:

The story of my
life is not as fun as I
think it could have been.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Haiku Poems - A Simple Way to Break Writer's Block using Haiku Examples

Haiku is a simple poem containing three lines and a total of 17 syllables. It is derived from Japanese poetry. Traditionally, the first and third lines of the haiku contain five syllables and the second line contains seven syllables. The haiku does not have to rhyme. Most haiku (both singular and plural forms are haiku) use the five-seven-five progression of syllables to create surprisingly diverse effects. The third line may present a different idea that is linked to the theme in the first two lines.

Haiku examples:

To want to be the

best is to nourish your ego,

which is not very wise.

Last night my dream was

to cross all doors from my home

to your tender heart.

Wanting safety can

become the biggest hurdle

to self-mastery.

Compromising can

become a habit unless

one is vigilant.

Most traditional Japanese haiku express ideas connected to nature, and and the passing of the seasons. However, there are no such constraints in writing haiku in English. The biggest advantage of writing haiku is its incredible flexibility. Anything and everything is permissible, even a change in the number and order of syllables.

How to Use Haiku Poems to Break Writer’s Block

The short and simple form of the haiku means that it hardly takes a minute to write one. Though the 5-7-5 syllabic format of the haiku is simple enough, it is acceptable to write haiku using a total of 13 to 17 syllables. So, if you are blocked you can use haiku as a fun way to overcome writer’s block.

You can also write haiku to jumpstart your writing session, to regain focus whenever you are stuck or bored or just to have fun!

Writing Haiku Online:

Haiku can be shared in blogs and other social media. Since they are usually less than 140 characters, you can tweet your haiku to your circle of friends. You can also Google for online haiku contests.

To read more haiku examples, click: Haiku Poems - An Easy and Elegant Way to Break Writer's Block

Five Benefits of Daily Goenka Vipassana Meditation Practice

Mr. S.N. Goenka and his assistants teach Vipassana meditation in ten-day residential courses worldwide. During the Vipassana course, meditators learn how to meditate by practicing intensively and continuously. On the last day, Mr. Goenka explains how they should continue their meditation practice after the course so that they can gain maximum benefit from Vipassana.

Vipassana Meditation Practice After the Course:

Mr. Goenka advises students to meditate one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening at home. In addition, students should practice Vipassana for a few minutes at bedtime until they fall asleep and as soon as they wake up in the morning. In addition, he advises students to take part in a ten-day residential Vipassana meditation retreat at least once a year to deepen their understanding of the meditation practice.

Vipassana Meditation Daily Practice—Five Benefits:

The daily practice of Vipassana improves quality of life in several ways, directly and indirectly. Among them, the five most important benefits are:

Increased basal level of awareness and equanimity
Understanding of sitting meditation and daily life affecting each other beneficially
Development of positive mental qualities
Appreciation of the value of ethical behavior
Positive health resulting from meditation during meals