Via AmericaBlog Gay:

Anderson Cooper comes out

"The fact is, I'm gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn't be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma July 3, 2012

The Limited Mask of Self

Of all the words we use to disguise the hollowness of the human condition, none is more influential than 'myself.' It consists of a collage of still images—name, gender, nationality, profession, enthusiasms, relationships—that are renovated from time to time, but otherwise are each a relic from one particular experience or another. The defining teaching of the Buddhist tradition, that of non-self, is merely pointing out the limitations of this reflexive view we hold of ourselves. It’s not that the self does not exist, but that it is as cobbled-together and transient as everything else.

- Andrew Olendzki, "Self as Verb"

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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma

Tricycle Daily Dharma July 2, 2012

Uprooting the Seeds of Anger

We all know anger from experience, but when we are asked to pause and consider, ‘What is this anger?’ it’s not always so easy to see what it is. Yet when we approach our feelings of anger with awareness, with mindfulness, it becomes a productive part of our practice. We find, after all, that anger has something to teach us.

- Jules Shuzen Harris, Sensei, "Uprooting the Seeds of Anger"

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Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma July 1, 2012

Being Unafraid of Pain

You don’t have to be afraid of pain. If it’s going to be there, you can let it be there—but don’t let the mind be in pain with it.

- Upasika Kee Nanayon, "Tough Teachings to Ease the Mind"

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Via JMG: LAOS: US Embassy Supports Nation's First-Ever LGBT Pride Celebration

Laos has held its first-ever LGBT Pride event with the support of the U.S. Embassy.

More than 100 people attended the event, which took place on the sports field of the U.S. Embassy. The guests of honor were U.S. Ambassador Karen Stewart and Dr. Bounpheng Philavong, Director of the Center for HIV/AIDS/STI (CHAS) at the Lao Ministry of Health. During their remarks, both Dr. Bounpheng and Ambassador Stewart congratulated the event organizers for taking an important first step to achieving full acceptance of LGBT people in Lao society.

"The message we want to send is that no matter what you look like or where you come from or what your sexual orientation is, every single one of you is a person with value and should be treated with dignity and respect," Ambassador Stewart told the crowd to loud applause. The event drew performers and participation from a number of organizatons that provide outreach and services to Laos' LGBT community, including the Purple Sky Network, Lao Positive Health Association (Lao PHA), Population Services International (PSI), the Burnet Institute, Family Health International (FHI), the Vientiane Youth Center for Health and Development, and UNFPA.

The theme was "Proud To Be Us."

Labels: gay Pride, LGBT culture, State Department

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma June 30, 2012

True Dharma

Dharma is not about credentials. It’s not about how many practices you’ve done, or how peaceful you can make your mind. It’s not about being in a community where you feel safe or enjoying the cachet of being a 'Buddhist.' It’s not even about accumulating teachings, empowerments, or 'spiritual accomplishments.' It’s about how naked you’re willing to be with your own life, and how much you’re willing to let go of your masks and your armor and live as a completely exposed, undefended, and open human person.

- Reginald Ray, "Blazing with Wakefulness"

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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 29, 2012

Enjoying the Silence

Silence doesn’t mean not talking and not doing things; it means that you are not disturbed inside. If you’re truly silent, then no matter what situation you find yourself in you can enjoy the silence.

- Thich Nhat Hanh, "The Heart of the Matter"

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Via AmericaBlogGay:

Anti-gay Republican tries to woos gays on health care by invoking same-sex marriage

This is laughable: Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-SC): “The Supreme Court’s precedent in this case will far exceed health care. In short, government is now able to make you do anything by penalizing you with a tax. If future governments don’t like marriage it will be able to tax you if you want to get married. That goes both ways – for traditional and gay marriage. If future governments want to limit the...

Via US Uncut / FB:

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Tricycle Daily Dharma June 28, 2012

Suffering's Lessons

It is because of pain and suffering that we first want to practice. And it’s because of pain and suffering that we attain enlightenment. Regard suffering as a teacher, and an inspiration.

- Mingyur Rinpoche, "The Easy Middle"

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