Via Daily Dharma: Stand Up to Jealousy

 

Support Tricycle with a donation »

Stand Up to Jealousy Facing our jealousy is an act of courage and authenticity, and we can sincerely tell ourselves that by doing so we are helping others.  Mindy Newman, “The Green-Eyed Monster” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Walking with Jizo By Matthew Gindin Invoking the guardian deity of children and travelers in a time of great loss. Read more »

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Effort: Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States

 

TRICYCLE      COURSE CATALOG      SUPPORT      DONATE

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.

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

© 2024 Tricycle Foundation 89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Via White Crane Institute // Toni Morrison

 

 

 

Today's Gay Wisdom

Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison

2019 -

The 2019 loss of Nobel Laureate author Toni Morrison reminded us of her comments on racism and fascism, a comparison even more relevant today.

In this address, given at Howard University during its 1995 Charter Day celebrations, Morrison spoke eloquently about the origins and social significance of Howard and other historically Black institutions of higher learning, about the education and mis-education of African Americans (and LGBT folk, we might add), and about the aberrant societal tensions wrought by racism, [sexism], and fascism.  

. . . Let us be reminded that before there is a final solution, there must be a first solution, a second one, even a third. The move toward a final solution is not a jump. It takes one step, then another, then another. Something, perhaps, like this:

(1) Construct an internal enemy, as both focus and diversion.

(2) Isolate and demonize that enemy by unleashing and protecting the utterance of overt and coded name-calling and verbal abuse. Employ ad hominem attacks as legitimate charges against that enemy.

(3) Enlist and create sources and distributors of information who are willing to reinforce the demonizing process because it is profitable, because it grants power and because it works.

(4) Palisade all art forms; monitor, discredit or expel those that challenge or destabilize processes of demonization and deification.

(5) Subvert and malign all representatives of and sympathizers with this constructed enemy.

(6) Solicit, from among the enemy, collaborators who agree with and can sanitize the dispossession process.

(7) Pathologize the enemy in scholarly and popular mediums; recycle, for example, scientific racism and the myths of racial superiority in order to naturalize the pathology.

(8) Criminalize the enemy. Then prepare, budget for and rationalize the building of holding arenas for the enemy--especially its males and absolutely its children.

(9) Reward mindlessness and apathy with monumentalized entertainments and with little pleasures, tiny seductions, a few minutes on television, a few lines in the press, a little pseudo-success, the illusion of power and influence, a little fun, a little style, a little consequence.

(10) Maintain, at all costs, silence.

[...] Racism may wear a new dress, buy a new pair of boots, but neither it nor its succubus twin fascism is new or can make anything new. …

---

|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|

Gay Wisdom for Daily Living from White Crane Institute

"With the increasing commodification of gay news, views, and culture by powerful corporate interests, having a strong independent voice in our community is all the more important. White Crane is one of the last brave standouts in this bland new world... a triumph over the looming mediocrity of the mainstream Gay world." - Mark Thompson

Exploring Gay Wisdom & Culture since 1989!
www.whitecraneinstitute.org

|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|