Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Intention: Cultivating Lovingkindness

 

RIGHT INTENTION Cultivating Lovingkindness Whatever you intend, whatever you plan, and whatever you have a tendency toward, that will become the basis on which your mind is established. (SN 12.40) Develop meditation on lovingkindness, for when you develop meditation on lovingkindness, all ill will will be abandoned. (MN 62)  The function of lovingkindness is preferring welfare. (Vm 9.93)

Reflection Kindness is a habit, like everything else in our emotional range. It can be learned and reinforced and cultivated, or it can be neglected, abandoned, and suppressed. Why not practice kindness by fostering the welfare of all beings, including yourself? Like any habit, it takes time and patience to interrupt the reflex to blame and hate and to install the new patterns of thought and behavior. But it can be done. So let’s do it! Daily Practice Lovingkindness can be invoked at any time. Look for opportunities to think kindly of other people, to wish them well, and to soften your heart. Do this especially as an antidote if you feel yourself going in the other direction and feeling ill will toward someone. Lovingkindness and ill will cannot coexist in a single mind moment, so you always have a choice to feel friendly or feel hostile in any situation. May you choose wisely. Tomorrow: Refraining from False Speech One week from today: Cultivating Compassion Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

Tricycle is a nonprofit and relies on your support to keep its wheels turning. Donate »

© 2023 Tricycle Foundation 89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Via Daily Dharma: Awareness

 Everything is changing constantly, but the awareness, the fact of being aware of sensations and change, does not change. There is always awareness. 

Douglas Penick, “The Magic & Mystery of Aging”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Via TRIcycle

 

What We Gain When We Learn to Let Go By Gil Fronsdal

While the Buddhist practice of letting go can be extremely beneficial, the practice can be even more significant when we also learn to let go intosomething valuable.

Read more »

Via Ram Dass