Meditation Month Day 14 via Tricycle

 

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PRACTICE PROMPT Stop seeking.   Where can you find your unborn and unconditional freedom? Notice that the moment you search for it, you are no longer free. Seeking assumes that freedom is elsewhere, that you do not already possess it. But what if your very nature is already unconditional and free? What if the nirvana you have been looking for has been in your pocket all along? When the seeking mind finally comes to a complete stop, what happens? A koan is a device designed to bring the mind to this stopping point. When every attempt to find an answer is exhausted and there is nowhere left for the mind to go, something quietly reveals itself.

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Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation \\ Words of Wisdom - January 14, 2026 ⛄

 

"Renunciation is internal dropout, not external dropout."   Source: Ram Dass – Here and Now – Ep. 77 – True Renunciation

Via Daily Dharma: Being Open to the Ordinary

 

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Being Open to the Ordinary What we think is rare is not really so; what’s rare is our being open to it, right in the midst of the ordinary. Shinge Sherry Chayat Roshi, “In the Midst of the Ordinary” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

The Vanishing Buddhist Pilgrimage of Hajo By Bikash K. Bhattacharya A sacred site once central to Bhutanese and Tibetan devotion now survives mostly in memory as borders, routes, and generations change. Read more » Tricycle Is Now on Substack A new space for conversation, connection, and community Join us on Substack today to meet other readers, chat with editors, and take part in ongoing conversations about practice and daily life. Sign up » Follow Us Forward today's wisdom to a friend »

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Frivolous Speech

 

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RIGHT SPEECH Refraining from Frivolous Speech Frivolous speech is unhealthy. Refraining from frivolous speech is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning frivolous speech, one refrains from frivolous speech. One speaks at the right time, speaks only what is fact, and speaks about what is good. One speaks what is worthy of being overheard, words that are reasonable, moderate, and beneficial. (DN 1) One practices thus: "Others may speak frivolously, but I shall abstain from frivolous speech." (MN 8) When a person commits an offense of some kind, one should not hurry to reprove them but rather should consider whether or not to speak. If you will be troubled, the other person will not be hurt, and you can help them emerge from what is unhealthy and establish them in what is healthy, then it is proper to speak. It is a trifle that you will be troubled compared with the value of helping establish them in what is healthy. (MN 103)

Reflection The guideline to refrain from frivolous speech is a recommendation that we take seriously what we say and say what is meaningful with a sense of purpose and care. It does not mean everything we say has to be profound, just carefully considered. Here we also have guidance for when to speak up and when not to. If we can help someone and make a difference by speaking out, then the fact that it is troublesome is a trifle. Daily Practice As you practice considering carefully the way you speak, the suggestion to "not hurry to reprove" someone who does or says something offensive but rather to "consider whether or not to speak" is an important suggestion. This moment of pause and reflection is itself a powerful practice in daily life and should be followed at every opportunity. Try speaking up only when you really can help a person or situation and not simply from habit or reflex. Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Social Action One week from today: Refraining from False Speech Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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