Thursday, September 19, 2024

Green Tara Mantra | Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha | 綠度母 (多羅菩薩) 心咒

Green Tara Mantra | Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha | Versão Lírica | Enfrenta...

Via The Tricycle Community \\ Three Teachings: Sitting with Suffering

 


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September 19, 2024

Breaking Open Instead of Breaking Down
 
Suffering is an inevitable, defining feature of existence. The Buddha gained this insight when he attained enlightenment, and later declared this as the first of the four noble truths.

Escape from suffering is the goal of Buddhism, but the way out is not to turn away. The way out is through. So as we work toward the goal of escaping suffering, we must learn to endure pain, hardship, disappointment, and all the various ways suffering shows up around us and in our own lives.  

How do we confront and sit with suffering without letting it destroy us? How does intimacy with suffering advance insight and stir compassion instead of fear, hostility, or callousness?

One way to help relieve the pain is simply to embrace suffering with care and attention, whether it is arising in ourselves or we’re watching atrocity unfold around the world. Another option is to cultivate compassion. As meditation teacher Scott Tusa says, “Compassion allows us to bear witness in a way that softens us and opens us, rather than breaks us down.” It brings us together and fortifies us where we otherwise might feel isolated and helpless. 

This week’s Three Teachings explores how developing compassion through practice and in everyday life can help sustain us through adversity near and far.

Why We Shouldn’t Be Afraid of Suffering By Thich Nhat Hanh 

Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh says that we shouldn’t fear suffering; we should fear not knowing how to handle our suffering. Therefore, looking away isn’t the answer. Rather, we should look closely with mindful attention.
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On Bearing Witness and the Wisdom of Karuna By Jessica Angima

First-generation Kenyan-American organizer and social practice artist Jessica Angima offers advice and practical steps for cultivating clear seeing, resilience, and ultimately skillful action in the face of suffering.
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Fostering Boundless Compassion: The Root of Connection By Scott Tusa

In the third of a four-part Dharma Talk, meditation teacher Scott Tusa explains how developing compassion allows us to soften and open instead of shutting down or shutting out harsh realities. In turn, this leads to greater connection.
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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Mental Action

 


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RIGHT ACTION
Reflecting Upon Mental 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 mental action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61)

When you are doing an action with the mind, reflect on that same mental action thus: “Is this action I am doing with the mind an unhealthy bodily action with painful consequences and painful results?” If, on reflection, you know that it is, then stop doing it; if you know that it is not, then continue. (MN 61)
Reflection
The mind is always in motion, either taking in information from the senses and processing it, or conjuring up thoughts and images, memories and plans, from its own interior reaches. It is valuable to learn how to watch what your mind is doing, for in this way you gain the ability to discern whether your mental actions are healthy or unhealthy and helpful or unhelpful to the agenda of well-being and happiness.

Daily Practice
Practice and develop the skill of metacognition: that is, being aware of what you are thinking as you are thinking it. The same goes for being aware of the entire range of mental activity, including remembering, imagining, and associating one mental object with another. In addition, measure your mental activity in terms of how harmful or beneficial the consequences of your actions are, and adjust your actions as appropriate.

Tomorrow: Abstaining from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures
One week from today: Reflecting upon Social Action

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Questions?
Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.



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Via Daily Dharma: No Monkey Business

 

No Monkey Business

If you’re concentrating, you’re not roaming around—there’s no monkey business. While I’m creating, I have no time to think badly about other beings. In this way, my art practice is like a spiritual practice.

Asha Kama, “Recovering ‘Wasted Prayers’”


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