About Holy Cross - Centre for Christian Meditation and Spirituality

The Holy Cross - Centre for Christian Meditation and Spirituality is an institution of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Limburg, Germany. It is based at the Holy Cross Church in Frankfurt-Bornheim and is dedicated to services, contemplation, meditation, retreats, counseling, and other events such as concerts.
The Art of cultivating stillness

The Art of cultivating stillness

In Asian and movement practices, stillness is not just the absence of movement, it is seen as a powerful presence that infuses movement with depth and significance. An integral part of the movement It is truly captivating when , Noh actor, bugaku dancers or Balinese dancers pause in their performances because the stillness they exhibit is an integral part of the movement itself. This can be observed in Japanese Noh actors and Sufi dervishes .

Origin of Yoga and its connection with Buddhism

Nowadays, you can find classes in nearly every city, and there are numerous online platforms that facilitate practicing yoga at home. Yoga involves a combination of physical postures and breath , which can be either static or flowing, slow or fast. Historical origins of Yoga It is essential to understand the core and purpose of yoga and its historical origins. This offers valuable insights into the cultural context during which the lived and .
Avalokiteshvara Thangka Painting

Samatha as a preparatory stage for Vipassanā

is commonly seen as a foundational practice, serving as a preparatory step for more advanced of , including Vipassanā. It plays a crucial role in calming the and reducing distractions, making it easier for practitioners to progress in their spiritual journey. Vipassanā, on the other hand, is considered an advanced practice that directly addresses the insight and components of the . It is often undertaken after a foundation in .
Chinese Early Qing Dynasty "Water and Land Ritual" Painting, 17th Century

Buddhist Rituals – A captivating fusion of materiality and spirituality

have long been a subject of fascination and inquiry. They encompass a rich of practices, from and chanting to and ceremonies. Beyond their surface, these are deeply intertwined with materiality, forming a complex and meaningful relationship that merits exploration. On the surface, emphasizes detachment from the material world, yet its rituals employ material objects and sensory experiences to enhance the spiritual journey. This apparent contradiction is a central .
Marathon Monk art

The Spiritual Athlete’s Path to Enlightenment

Throughout this world, there are many mysterious and amazing feats that can be found. People are capable of doing most incredible things that we have never deemed possible. Only by truly believing in ourselves can we accomplish what were thought as impossible goals. Marathon of In Mount Hiei of , there can be found a small group of who live in a and can accomplish many remarkable challenges. This mountain had .
Lung-gom-pa runner

The Tibetan Lung-gom-pa runners

is an esoteric skill in that is believed to enable practitioners to run for extended periods of without tiring. This technique is similar to those used by Kaihōgyō in and practitioners of Shugendō. Like so much about , Lung-gom-pa running remains something of an enigma. through physical endurance Lung-gom-pa, also known as " marathon runners," is a form of spiritual training within Tibetan . This practice involves intensive spiritual training, .
Phurba Gallery

The Tantric Phurba – A protective ritual dagger

The is a dagger used in practices. It is used to protect against negative energies and to promote positive change. The phurba is not to be used for or harm, and should only be used for ritual purposes. It is a powerful for protection and should be used with care and respect. Origin of Phurba in The renowned , who was initiated by the Indian sage Prabhahastin, is said .
A scroll painting of Saraha, surrounded by other Mahāsiddhas, probably 18th century and now in the British Museum

The Mahamudra Practice – Unveiling the True Nature of the Mind

is a form of that emphasizes the nature of . In Mahamudra, practitioners aim to see the true nature of their minds, which is said to be empty and open. Origin of the Mahamudra Practice The main text of Mahamudra is "The Root Text of the " by the Indian  (not to be confused with the earlier philosopher). The actual practice and lineage of mahāmudrā can be traced back to wandering  or great .

Meditation Practices – To train the attention of mind & teach compassion

can be defined as a practice where an individual uses a technique, such as focusing their mind on a particular object, thought or activity, to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. Meditation has been practiced since antiquity in numerous religious traditions and beliefs. The earliest records of meditation (dhyana) are found in the Upanishads of Hindu philosophy, and meditation plays a salient role in the contemplative repertoire of Buddhism and Hinduism. Since the .
Padmapani Paubha

The Tales of Padmapani Lokeshwar, Sankata and the Mahankal Bhairava

Narendra Deva along with the priest, Bandudatta and a local farmer, Lalit travelled all the way to Assam, to bring Lokeshwar to but since they faced a lot of "sankat" (dangers) along the way, the priest Bandudatta summoned Sankata, the "deity who removes dangers". In , stories about and have existed from the beginning of and they were an important part of everyday life. They elaborated everything from .