Via Daily Dharma: Becoming Immoveable

 Every challenge we encounter is an opportunity to learn to stand on our own again, grounded and immoveable by any external force, unperturbed by inner grasping or turmoil. This is the final truth of being human, even if we can't see it yet.

Cristina Moon, “Look Beneath Your Feet”

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Mental Action

 

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: "Does this action I am doing with the mind lead to my own affliction?" If, on reflection, you know that it does, then stop doing it; if you know that it does not, then continue. (MN 61)

Reflection

The body has a natural capacity for proprioception, for knowing what it is doing as it is doing it. What about the mind? How often do we know what we are thinking as we are thinking it? Not often, it appears. Mindfulness of the body is being aware of the body while breathing, for example. Mindfulness of mind is being aware of the activities of the mind as they are unfolding. This takes some getting used to, but it can be done.

Daily Practice

This particular text is encouraging us to notice the ethical quality of our mental activity and in particular whether it contributes to some sort of self-harm. Sometimes we are our own worst critic, our own most undermining voice, our own adversary. When we pay close attention to what the mind is doing, we can catch it in the act of hurting us and gently let go of that in order to point the mind in a more positive direction.

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

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Harsh Speech

 

RIGHT SPEECH Refraining from Harsh Speech

Harsh speech is unhealthy. Refraining from harsh speech is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning harsh speech, one refrains from harsh speech. One speaks words that are gentle, pleasing to the ear, and affectionate, words that go to the heart, are courteous, and are agreeable to many. (DN 1) One practices thus: "Others may speak harshly, but I shall abstain from harsh speech." (MN 8) When one says: "All those engaged in the pursuit of the enjoyment of sensual pleasures have entered the wrong way," one thus disparages some. But when one says instead, "The pursuit of the enjoyment of sensual pleasures is a state beset by suffering, and it is the wrong way," then one is not disparaging anyone but simply stating the truth. (MN 139)

Reflection

Right speech does not mean always telling people what they want to hear. Often difficult truths need to be spoken, but there are skillful and unskillful ways of doing this. In this passage we are instructed on the implications of invoking the sense of self. Instead of disparaging others by using an agent noun ("They are such a liar"), simply speak the truth by pointing out their actions (“They have told a lie”) rather than rebuking the self.

Daily Practice

Practice critiquing the words or actions of a person rather than the person. Instead of calling a person rude, point out the rude thing they have said or done. It is a small but important distinction. Whenever people feel attacked, it brings out the tendency to counterattack. When their actions are called out instead, it leaves them room to change their behavior.

Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Mental Action
One week from today: Refraining from Frivolous Speech

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Via Daily Dharma: Bringing Teachings to Life

 No one can ever explain to us how to have an experience. If they could, we would all be enlightened by now. Our task as practitioners is to bring the teachings to life in a personal way. 

Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, “The Power of an Open Question”

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Thich Nhat Hanh // What is motivating you?

 

Thich Nhat Hanh on volition.

(Full talk: https://youtu.be/afsGr7u9CNE)

 

 

Via LGBTQ Nation Daily Brief // Gay penguin “power couple” celebrate their anniversary

 

Gay penguin “power couple” celebrate their anniversary

The male couple, who have hatched two eggs together, enjoyed frozen fish cakes for dinner and held a party with their neighbors in the enclosure. 

By Bil Browning Tuesday, January 11, 2022     

 

 Make the jump here to read the full story and more

Via Tricycle // The Best in Buddhist Short Films

 

The Best in Buddhist Short Films

Beat the cold this January and curl up at home for a cozy evening of Buddhist short films! This year, Tricycle’s annual Buddhist Shorts Film Festival spotlights five films featuring diverse stories from across the Buddhist world, from a portrait of celebrated mystic Thomas Merton to a touching friendship between two Buddhist monks.  Our must-see film selection for 2022 includes: Day of A Stranger. Take a glimpse inside the extraordinary mind of Thomas Merton in this meditative film compiled of audio tapes from his final years living as a hermit in the woods of Kentucky.   Larry Rosenberg: Long Path Home tells the remarkable story of renowned insight meditation teacher and author, Larry Rosenberg, and how his life-long search for self-discovery has helped thousands find freedom from suffering.   In 21 Days, Jin and his father navigate loss, grief, and their new lives 21 days after his mother’s death.   And others! As a Tricycle subscriber, you can enjoy streaming all five films from home until February 4.

Check out the full Festival lineup »

George Harrison - My Sweet Lord (Official Music Video)

 

 

https://www.upworthy.com/george-harrison-my-sweet-lord-video?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1

[GBF] new GBF talks

 

New talks have been added to the audio archive at the GBF website:

2022.01.09 Laura Burges (The Four Brahmaviharas).mp3

2021.11.13 GBF Retreat - Steven Tierney (Elderhood).mp3

 

 

https://gaybuddhist.org/

 

Via Dhamma Wheel // Cultivating Appreciative Joy

 

RIGHT INTENTION Cultivating Appreciative Joy

Whatever you intend, whatever you plan, and whatever you have a tendency toward will become the basis on which your mind is established. (SN 12.40) Develop meditation on appreciative joy, for when you develop meditation on appreciative joy, any discontent will be abandoned. (MN 62)  The characteristic of appreciative joy is gladdening produced by the success of others. (Vm 9.93)

Reflection

Appreciative joy is the neglected brahma-vihara, or sublime state of mind, less well known than its siblings lovingkindness, compassion, and equanimity. As we see from this definition, it serves as an antidote to discontent. When feeling good about someone else, you cannot at the same time feel bad about yourself. While feeling joy in appreciation of the good fortune of others might feel forced at first, it can gradually become a habit of mind.

Daily Practice

Look for opportunities to notice when good things are happening to other people and extend good wishes to those people rather than jealousy or resentment. Celebrate the good fortune of even strangers and be happy for them. Joy and gladness are both rare and precious, and celebrating others' good fortune is an easy way to access those feelings on a regular basis. Even if things are not going well for you, you can share in the happiness of others. Try it and see for yourself.

Tomorrow: Refraining from Harsh Speech
One week from today: Cultivating Equanimity

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Via Daily Dharma: Look Beneath the Surface

 If an emotion or a disturbing state of mind is too painful to look at directly, seek the underlying condition that holds it in place. You may be surprised at what you discover.

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, “The Aim of Attention”

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Via Tricycle // Overcoming the Inner Critic

 

Overcoming the Inner Critic By Dawn Scott

There is gold to be found in our longings and aspirations. But we must meet them with kindness—and protect them from the inner critic—so they don’t become a source of tension.

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Via Daily Dharma: The Right Attachments

 There’s no need to banish our longings or our aspirations, because we can recognize the gold and the beauty at the center of them. When we relate to them wisely, they can fuel our practice.

Dawn Scott, “Overcoming the Inner Critic”

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Via Dhamma Wheel // Understanding the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering

 

RIGHT VIEW
Understanding the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering

What is the cessation of suffering? It is the remainderless fading away and ceasing, the giving up, relinquishing, letting go, and rejecting of craving. (MN 9) When one knows and sees sounds as they actually are, then one is not attached to sounds. When one abides unattached, one is not infatuated, and one’s craving is abandoned. One’s bodily and mental troubles are abandoned, and one experiences bodily and mental well-being. (MN 149)

Reflection

Craving is the cause of suffering, and if we crave a hundred things we will experience a hundred episodes of suffering. We are used to this constant thirst to possess things we like and to avoid what we don’t like. But we do not have to follow the dictates of our desires. It is possible to notice the yearning for something and then simply let go of it. This capacity points the way to freedom from compulsion.

Daily Practice

Using sound as the focus of practice, see if you can begin to notice the minor ways you favor or oppose the sounds you meet in your experience. Step back from being annoyed by a particular sound; step back from the allure another may induce; step back from constantly welcoming what sounds good and resisting what sounds bad. This stepping back is replacing desire with equanimity and can be practiced in small ways.

Tomorrow: Cultivating Appreciative Joy
One week from today: Understanding the Noble Truth of the Way to the Cessation of Suffering

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Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.