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The violence in the US this month — the killing of African-American elders at a grocery store, Asian elders worshiping in their church, and 19 small children and two of their teachers in their elementary school classrooms — has elicited so much pain and grief. For many, it has also elicited a new or renewed determination to try to make this a better world. For others, well, for now it’s just exhaustion.

We invite you to join us this Friday, May 27, at 7:00 PM ET to hold space for our collective, whatever we feel, and offer metta to all who are suffering.

With lovingkindness,
All of us at IMS

Register Here

This is a free event. Open to all.

 

 

The Book of Queer | Streaming Soon on discovery+

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Verbal Action

 

RIGHT ACTION
Reflecting Upon Verbal Action

However the seed is planted, in that way the fruit is gathered. Good things come from doing good deeds, bad things come from doing bad deeds. (SN 11.10) What is the purpose of a mirror? For the purpose of reflection. So too verbal action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61) When you wish to do an action with speech, reflect upon that same verbal action thus: “Would this action I wish to do with speech lead to both my own affliction and the affliction of another?” If, upon reflection, you know that it would, then do not do it; if you know that it would not, then proceed. (MN 61)

Reflection

Habits of speech follow the same principles as habits of body and mind. Whatever you practice doing, you learn to do, and however you practice speaking, you learn to speak that way. If you speak well of others, are kind in your intentions, and always take care to say only what is true, your character will be molded in that direction. The opposite is also true, and it is not hard to pick up unhealthy and hurtful habits of speech.

Daily Practice

Practice mindfulness of speech. This means speaking with conscious awareness rather than reacting automatically to what others say or venting the first emotion to surge into your mind. Reflect on the effect your words are likely to have on others before you let fly, and take care not to do harm to yourself or others. In fact, any time you are harming others with your words, you are also harming yourself. Speak carefully.

Tomorrow: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given
One week from today: Reflecting upon Mental Action

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Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

Via Daily Dharma: Effortless Release

If we really understand that nothing lasts and that everything is unreal and illusory, then letting go is easy. Actually, it happens by itself without effort.

Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, “The Secret Strength of Sadness”

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