A mindful reminder from Byron Katie

 

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Harming Living Beings

 

RIGHT LIVING
Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Harming Living Beings

Harming living beings is unhealthy. Refraining from harming living beings is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning the harming of living beings, one abstains from harming living beings; with rod and weapon laid aside, gentle and kindly, one abides with compassion for all living beings. (MN 41) One practices thus: “Others may harm living beings, but I will abstain from the harming of living beings." (MN 8) A layperson is not to engage in the livelihood of trading in intoxicants. (AN 5.177)

Reflection

What you do for a living involves repeating certain actions of body, speech, and mind again and again on a daily basis. If any of these things cause harm to yourself or others, you are engaging in the consistent practice of becoming unhealthier every day. It is important to undertake the commitment to abstain from harming all living beings, including yourself, and in some cases this might mean changing professions.

Daily Practice

Reflect upon your means of livelihood and investigate honestly whether or not it is contributing to the kind of intoxication that causes harm. Remember that there can be many forms of intoxication, which is defined as the loss of diligence and the growth of heedlessness. Are you contributing to greater clarity and well-being by what you do for a living? If so, that is good, but if not, you might want to think of making some changes.

Tomorrow: Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States
One week from today: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given

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Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

Via Daily Dharma: Just Keep Practicing

 Remember, if you miss a day or two, your cushions will forgive you. They are ready to get back to work as soon as you get back on track. You’re already good at this. Just keep practicing. 

Gregg Krech, “Meditating Every Day and What to Do When You Don’t”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Via White Crane Institute / Earth Day

 

Noteworthy

2021 -

EARTH DAY is a name used for two different observances, both held annually during spring in the northern hemisphere, and autumn in the southern hemisphere. These are intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth and its environment. The United Nations celebrates Earth Day, which was founded by John McConnell in 1969, each year on the March equinox, while a global observance originated by Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in, and since January 1970 also called Earth Day, is celebrated in many countries each year on April 22.

More information here:  https://www.earthday.org/ 

April 22 was chosen as the date to maximize participation on college campuses for what he conceived as an "environmental teach-in". He determined the week of April 19–25 was the best bet as it did not fall during exams or spring breaks. Moreover, it did not conflict with religious holidays such as Easter or Passover, and was late enough in spring to have decent weather. More students were likely to be in class, and there would be less competition with other mid-week events—so Wednesday, April 22 was chosen. The day also fell after the anniversary of the birth of noted conservationist John Muir. The National Park Service, John Muir National Historic Site, has a celebration every year on or around Earth Day (April 21, 22 or 23), called Birthday-Earth Day, in recognition of Earth Day and John Muir's contribution to the collective consciousness of environmentalism and conservation.

Unbeknownst to those making the decision, April 22, 1970, was coincidentally the 100th anniversary of the birth of Vladimir Lenin, when translated to the Gregorian calendar (which the Soviets adopted in 1918). Time Magazine reported that some suspected the date was not a coincidence, but a clue that the event was "a Communist trick", and quoted a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution as saying, "subversive elements plan to make American children live in an environment that is good for them." FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover, may have found the Lenin connection intriguing; it was alleged the FBI conducted surveillance at the 1970 demonstrations. The idea that the date was chosen to celebrate Lenin's centenary still persists in some quarters, an idea borne out by the similarity with the subbotnik instituted by Lenin in 1920 as days on which people would have to do community service, which typically consisted in removing rubbish from public property and collecting recyclable material. Subbotniks were also imposed on other countries within the compass of Soviet power, including Eastern Europe, and at the height of its power the Soviet Union established a nationwide subbotnik to be celebrated on Lenin's birthday, April 22, which had been proclaimed a national holiday celebrating communism by Nikita Khrushchev in 1955.

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