Via Tricycle

Coming Back to the Buddha 

The Buddha of infinite light, or Amitabha Buddha, accepts us just as we are. The great Pure Land teacher Shinran wrote that we can find great consolation by taking refuge in Amitabha. How do we do this? 

Writer, psychotherapist, environmental activist, and Pure Land Buddhist Satya Robyn shows us how in this month’s Dharma Talk, inviting us to explore our limited nature as human beings and open to the infinite compassion of Amitabha. Robyn shares a three-stage process for coming back to the Buddha, ultimately unraveling the truth that we have access to unlimited love.

Inspired by Shinran, Robyn invites us to recite the nembutsu for a taste of Amitabha’s consolation. “The nembustu, which means remembering the Buddha, is when we recite the name of Amitabha Buddha. It’s a practice that’s available to anybody, you don’t have to have any time, you don’t have to be an academic. It doesn’t matter if you’re living a virtuous life or not. The idea is that everybody can be taken into Amitabha’s arms and have an experience of that consolation.”

Watch the full talk today to learn more about this practice from Robyn, including a special guest appearance by her dog, Ralph!

Watch the Dharma Talk today »

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Effort: Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States

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RIGHT EFFORT Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States Whatever a person frequently thinks about and ponders, that will become the inclination of their mind. If one frequently thinks about and ponders unhealthy states, one has abandoned healthy states to cultivate unhealthy states, and then one’s mind inclines to unhealthy states. (MN 19) Abandoning restlessness, one abides unagitated with a mind inwardly peaceful; one purifies the mind of restlessness. (MN 51) Just as a person who had been a slave, unable to go where he liked, would be freed from slavery, so would one rejoice and be glad about the abandoning of restlessness. (DN 2)

Reflection The most basic meditation instruction given at the start of any session is to relax the body and the mind. This is because restlessness is so prevalent in our lives. The mind cannot begin to see clearly until it has settled down and rid itself of distractions. This text likens attaining a peaceful mind to feeling liberated from slavery, a powerful image indeed. As Bob Marley sings, “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery.” Daily Practice “None but ourselves can free our minds,” Marley continues. It is inevitable, and often outside our control, that our mind is put in chains by deadlines, multitasking, and the expectations of others. But we can free ourselves from this, if only for a few moments here or there or once a day when we sit down to practice. It can feel wonderful to “rejoice and be glad” when we are able to slip the bonds of mental slavery now and then. Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Feeling and Abiding in the Second Jhāna One week from today: Developing Unarisen Healthy States Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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Via Daily Dharma: Understanding Desire

Understanding Desire

Many of our desires are not obsessive, but they still may be a driving force behind many of our actions. The object of craving or desire can be small, even insignificant, but the power of desire is deeply rooted in our minds, almost like a primal energy. Joseph Goldstein, “Peeling Away the Promise of Desire” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

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Listen to this week’s podcasts from the Be Here Now Network

 

David Nichtern – CSM Podcast – Ep. 46 – Joining Heaven and Earth
August 18, 2023

In this episode, David explores: “Earth is nothing but obstacles, actually, from the point of view of Heaven. It’s just a clump of obstacles....

Listen Now