Via Daily Dharma: Treasuring Gratitude and Thanks

 During this time of giving, we should not place too much importance on material gifts; it’s our thoughts, words, and deeds that count. Sincere expressions of appreciation, praise, thanks, and an unexpected helping hand can be the most treasured gifts of all.

—Reverend Earl Ikeda, “O Bodhi Tree, O Bodhi Tree”

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Via Daily Dharma: Become Wise to Your True Nature

 No longer dividing the world into good and bad, love and hate, we not only have more freedom and ease in daily life; we also gain access to the wisdom of our real nature.

—Anne C. Klein, “The Four Immeasurables”

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Via FB

 

Via FB

 

Via Daily Dharma: What We Realize in Meditation

 In the very first moment of meditation, there is a profound realization: we recognize that we do not have to take our thoughts as completely real.

—Douglas Penick, “What Are You Meditating For?”

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Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation // Words of Wisdom - December 6, 2020 💌

 

Our whole spiritual transformation brings us to the point where we realize that in our own being, we are enough.

- Ram Dass -

Via Tricycle // The Third Harmony

The Third Harmony
Directed by Michael Nagler

 

Nonviolent resistance is more effective—and now more frequently applied—than violent resistance. The Third Harmony takes a look at the peaceful path to humanity’s transformation in the 21st century.

Watch now »

Via Daily Dharma: Discover Your Inner Motivation

 When there’s nowhere to turn, nowhere to run, we discover an inner motivation, a strong determination.

—Roko Sherry Chayat, “Nirvana: Three Takes”

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Via No Matter How Fine a Love: The LGBTQ Baha'i Experience

 

As more Baha’i LGBTQ Allies come forward we must constantly address what being an ally looks like, what is appreciated, and what we can work on, we are all still learning as we move forward in this new century.  This list isn’t exhaustive and I encourage everyone’s input as I don’t speak for all LGBTQ Baha’is.  

What Baha’i LGBTQ Allies CAN Do 

1. Stand up to / educate homophobic, transphobic, or misinformed Baha’is in person and on Social Media.

2. When discussing forms of prejudice in a Baha’i setting make a point to mention homophobia and transphobia as forms of prejudice that Baha’is should stand up against.

3. If a Baha’i promotes Reparative / Conversion Therapy please be a voice of reason and mention the dangers of this fringe science and its lackluster success rates.

4. Challenge Baha’is when they mention that they know happy celibate LGBTQ Baha’is, they are a very small minority of LGBTQ Baha’is whose life choices should be respected, but not reflective of most of our lived experiences.

5. On Social Media post stories of LGBTQ inclusion, show support for Pride Month, Transgender Awareness Week, and LGBTQ History Month.

6. Actually LISTEN to LGBTQ Baha’i lived experiences in the Baha’i Faith, many of us are very deepened and have served the Cause in many capacities.

7. Educate your Baha’i community on mental health concerns for LGBTQ people, inclusion matters, heavy handed Baha’is and Institutions have and will continue to push some of us over the edge.

8. Write your concerns to your National Spiritual Assembly and the Universal House of Justice, they need to hear from you, they’ve already heard from us believe me! 

What Baha’i LGBTQ Allies Should NOT Do

1. Showing support in a passive way such as hushed tones and when other Baha’is are not around.

2. Remaining silent when other Baha’is make homophobic and transphobic comments.

3. Remaining silent when Baha’is promote the fringe science of Reparative / Conversion Therapy. 

4. Telling LGBTQ Baha’is what is and what is not homophobic or transphobic, it’s not for heterosexuals to decide that.

5. Challenging LGBTQ Baha’is when they do not think the most recent guidance from the National Spiritual Assembly and the Universal House of Justice is helpful, inviting, or affirming.

6. Telling LGBTQ Baha’is that you are in the same boat for being a single celibate Baha’i, to many of us it’s a false equivalency.

7. Avoid posting LGBTQ affirming content on Social Media out of fear of other Baha’is and Baha’i Institutions.

Via Daily Dharma: Turning On the Light

 The technique of direct liberation is comparable to being afraid of a monster in the dark and then turning on the light. When the light goes on we see that there never was a monster in the first place, that it was just a projection of our own mind.

—Lama Tsultrim Allione, “Feeding Your Demons”

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Via Daily Dharma: Make Room for Happiness

 The more clearly we see the lack of worth in mental and physical sensations, the less desire we’ll have for them until, thoroughly disenchanted, craving will be snuffed out automatically. As soon as that occurs, pure happiness will arise by itself.

—Cynthia Thatcher, “What’s So Great About Now?”

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Seven wonders of the buddhist world BBC DocumentaryVideoStream

Via Daily Dharma: A Single Moment of Meditation

 Sooner or later our practice brings benefits. Sometimes you have to be patient; sometimes, the benefits are immediate. Ideally, you see how even a single moment of meditation has immediate benefits.

—Gil Fronsdal, “Evaluate Your Meditation”

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Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation // Words of Wisdom - December 2, 2020 💌

 

Unconditional love really exists in each of us. It is part of our deep inner being. It is not so much an active emotion as a state of being. It’s not ‘I love you’ for this or that reason, not ‘I love you if you love me.’ It’s love for no reason -- love without an object.

- Ram Dass -

Via TUmblr

 

Via Tumblr

 

Why Finland And Denmark Are Happier Than The U.S.

Via Daily Dharma: Open Your Heart

 If you’re uncertain about what to do in a situation, just open your heart and love. 

—Andrew Holecek, “The Best Possible Habit”

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Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation // Words of Wisdom - November 29, 2020 💌

 

What you seek is already within you. The reality is subjective, not the outer objective reality. You may experience it as focused in the center of your chest. It can be called the soul, or in Hinduism, the Atmān, or in Buddhism the pure Buddha-Mind. Jesus Christ said, "The kingdom of God is within you." This is the space of full awareness that is in harmony with the universe; this is wisdom itself. The full spirit of God is inside each of us. When you want to approach God, go inward.

- Ram Dass -