Via FACEBOOK // Lama Rod Owens

 At the end of the day, when we’ve done what we can, whatever happens will happen. We understand that everything doesn’t work out for the good of all. This is something that we must mourn as well.

#meditationpractice #loveandrage #meditation #dharma #mourning #grief

Via Lion's Roar // The Pure Land Is in the West

 

The Pure Land Is in the West

In the face of racism and oppression, they’ve made their practice communities their refuge. Jean-Paul Contreras deGuzman on the hidden history of Pure Land Buddhists in America.

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Malicious Speech

 

RIGHT SPEECH
Refraining from Malicious Speech

Malicious speech is unhealthy. Refraining from malicious speech is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning malicious speech, one refrains from malicious speech. One does not repeat there what one has heard here to the detriment of these, or repeat here what one has heard there to the detriment of those. One unites those who are divided, is a promoter of friendships, and speaks words that promote concord. (DN 1) One practices thus: “Others may speak maliciously, but I shall abstain from malicious speech.” (MN 8) Disputes occur when a person is contemptuous and domineering. Such a person dwells disrespectful and undeferential towards others, causing harm and unhappiness for many. If you see any such root of a dispute either in yourselves or externally, you should strive to abandon it. And if you do not see any such root of dispute either in yourselves or externally, you should practice in such a way that it does not erupt in the future. (MN 104)

Reflection

You may have noticed that some people are more argumentative than others. There are certain character traits that account for this, and being contemptuous and domineering is certainly among them. The fact is that human conflicts are rooted in human qualities of mind, and these need to be addressed if any kind of transformation is to happen. The place to begin this process is in yourself. Do you see any roots of dispute in yourself?

Daily Practice

One of the ways to practice refraining from malicious speech is to clear your mind of the mental and emotional traits that give rise to it. Do you ever catch yourself being contemptuous or domineering? Do you ever dwell disrespectful and undeferential towards others? This is the place to start: “Others might tolerate these qualities in themselves, but I shall not.” Honest self-reflection is a challenging but rewarding practice.

Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Verbal Action One week from today: Refraining from Harsh Speech Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

Via Daily Dharma: Shedding Past Karma

 It is not necessary to be a prisoner of old karma. It is always possible to change your karma. You can make new karma. But there is only one time that you ever have to do it. Can you guess when that might be?

Jon Kabat-Zinn, “Changing Karma”

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Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation -- Words of Wisdom - April 27, 2022 💌

 

When you stand back far enough, all of your life experiences, independent of what they are, are all learning experiences. From a human point of view, you do your best to optimize pleasure, happiness, all the nice things in life. From your soul’s point of view, you take what comes down the pike. So from the soul’s perspective, you work to get what you want and then if you don’t ‘ah, so, I’ll work with what I’ve got.’ 

- Ram Dass -