Via FB -- van Gogh is Bipolar

 

TO BE BORN WE NEED:

 

2 parents

4 grandparents

8 great grandparents

16 great grandparents

32 great great grandparents

64 Penta Grandparents

128 Hexa Grandparents

256 Hepta Grandparents

512 Octa Grandparents

1024 Enea Grandparents

2048 Deca Grandparents

 

Through these last 11 generations we have 4 ancestors, all of them were born about 300 years before you were born or mine.

 

Take a moment and think:

Where did you come from?

- How many battles have you fought?

- How many times were you hungry?

 

How many arguments did you have?

 

- How much change have our ancestors survived?

 

On the other hand, how much love, strength, joy and encouragement has left us?

 

How many of their survival instincts have each of them left in us so we can live today?

 

We only exist because of everything each of them has been through.

 

This should be an opportunity for all of us to honor our ancestors!

 

Goldregen Artwork Connolly

Why Ben Left His Baháʼí Faith Behind

Via Daily Dharma: Dewdrops on a Summer Morning

 The things of this world are as fragile as dewdrops on a summer morning. So you must entrust yourself not to these things, but to immeasurable life, which is our home ground.

Interview with Taitetsu Unno by Tricycle, “Even Dewdrops Fall”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

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 self-mortification have entered upon the wrong way," one thus disparages some. But when one says instead, "The pursuit of self-mortification is a state beset by suffering, and it is the wrong way," then one is not disparaging anyone but is simply stating the truth. (MN 139)

Reflection

Certain words or phrases that appear harsh are simply part of the natural vocabulary of different social groups, and are not necessarily spoken harshly. But notice how certain ways of speaking are accompanied by a harsher mental state. Certain words bring with them a particular emotional tone, and this draws our mind into harsher places than necessary. Learning to see and avoid this can be helpful.

Daily Practice

In the example given in this passage, notice the difference between criticizing a person and criticizing the person’s behavior. When you disparage someone, you invite a defensive measure such as a counterattack; when you disparage their actions, you give the person room to distance themselves from their behavior. Try this for yourself. See if you can develop the habit of criticizing actions instead of people. It is not as harsh.

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

Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media
#DhammaWheel

Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Intention: Cultivating Appreciative Joy

 

RIGHT INTENTION
Cultivating Appreciative Joy

Whatever you intend, whatever you plan, and whatever you have a tendency toward, that will become the basis upon 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 manifestation of appreciative joy is elimination of discontent. (Vm 9.95)

Reflection

It turns out that feeling good about the success or well-being of other people is good for you. The natural inclination of the self is toward selfishness, which is aimed at getting what we want and need. This is a useful function up to a point, but if we are ever to evolve beyond it, we need to reverse the process and cultivate care and concern for others. Wishing them well and celebrating their good fortune is a good place to start.

Daily Practice

Keep on the lookout today for what happens to other people and wish them well when you see or hear of someone having good fortune. This is actually an excellent remedy for your own discontent. If you are not happy about your lot in life, you can immediately lift yourself into a better state by taking joy in the good fortune of others. Rather than resent their success you can use it to help raise your own mood.

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

Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media
#DhammaWheel

Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

Via Daily Dharma: Allow Yourself to Be Loved

 Being cared for is what drives our ability to care for others. Without being open and vulnerable to receive care, our ability to care for our children, family, patients, students, and others is built on a fragile foundation.

Lama John Makransky and Brooke D. Lavelle, “Sustainable Compassion for Those Who Serve”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Via Buddhist Geeks

 

Inquiry Meditation

Begins March 17, 2022

Inquiry, one of our six Ways to Meditate, is the practice of using a question as a prompt for discovery. In Inquiry meditation we open to the groundlessness of reality, into intimacy with all that is. The questions we work with bring us deeper into a space of radical curiosity. Out of that space new possibilities arise for deepening our embodied wisdom, compassion, and action. Led by Ryan Oelke.

Learn more »

Via Exposing homophobia and intolerance online

 

Via van Gogh is Bipolar \\ FB

 

Via White Crane Institute \\ INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY (IWD)

 

Noteworthy 2017 - Today is INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY (IWD), originally called International Working Women's Day. It is celebrated on March 8 every year. In different regions the focus ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation, and love towards women for women's economic, political, and social achievements. The original International Women's Day started as a Socialist political event event, the holiday blended the culture of many countries, primarily in Europe, especially those in the Soviet Bloc. In some regions, the day lost its political flavor, and became simply an occasion for people to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. In other regions, however, the political and human rights theme designated by the United Nations runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner. Some people celebrate the day by wearing purple ribbons. Because, you know, it isn’t a thing until you have a ribbon.

|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8| Gay Wisdom for Daily Living from White Crane Institute "With the increasing commodification of gay news, views, and culture by powerful corporate interests, having a strong independent voice in our community is all the more important. White Crane is one of the last brave standouts in this bland new world... a triumph over the looming mediocrity of the mainstream Gay world." - Mark Thompson Exploring Gay Wisdom & Culture since 1989! www.whitecraneinstitute.org |8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|

Let The Sunshine In | HAIR | Virtual Corona Version | 2020

WALK WITH MOOJIBABA: LIVING WITHOUT EGO

Walk with Moojibaba: Living Without Ego

Moojibaba addresses what happens when one becomes increasingly detached to the world and talks about the inner experience of those who begin to transcend the pull of the mind.

“The more you grasp of your true nature, the more you are living constantly in a field of peace and a calm mind. In the inner realization of the Truth, you are discovering something tremendous.

The peace that I speak about is coming from the Truth within you.”

23 April 2020

Monte Sahaja, Portugal

-

If you would like to support the sharing of Satsang, you can donate here: mooji.org/donate?tcode=mtv6

This and many other videos can be viewed on Mooji.TV:

bit.ly/moojitv and http://bit.ly/sahaja-express

 

#Mooji #satsang #spirituality #advaita #nonduality #awakening

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right View: 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 understands flavors as they actually are, then one is not attached to flavors. 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

Just as suffering is constructed moment by moment by attaching to the details of sensual experience, wanting the flavors we like and not wanting the flavors we don’t like, so too that very moment of suffering can be deconstructed by abandoning the wanting and not wanting and replacing it with equanimity. We still experience the flavor, directly and intently, but without being entangled with it—only aware of it.

Daily Practice

Practice eating with equanimity. Simply take a bite, chew it slowly and carefully, attending fully to every nuance of texture and flavor, and then swallow when appropriate. All this is done with great awareness but without favoring or opposing any aspect of the experience. When you experience flavors “unattached” and “without infatuation,” you are, in that brief moment at least, entirely free of suffering.

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

Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media
#DhammaWheel

Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

Via Daily Dharma: Exposing the Mind

 Much like a cloud that hides the warming brilliance of the sun, the superficial dimension of the mind conceals the mind’s deeper possibilities. It is the superficiality of this conventional dimension of mind, as well as the deeper possibilities that exist beneath this dimension, that the process of meditation works to expose and reveal.

Will Johnson, “How to Sit—And Why It Matters”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Via LGBTQ Nation: Disney declines

 

Disney declines to condemn Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill after donating to GOP backers

The House of Mouse says that producing "inspiring content" is the most they can do to stop the GOP attacks on elementary school children. The profits would then presumably flow back into the pockets of anti-LGBTQ politicians. 

 

 

 

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Mindfulness and Concentration: Establishing Mindfulness of Feeling and the Second Jhāna

 

RIGHT MINDFULNESS
Establishing Mindfulness of Feeling

A person goes to the forest or to the root of a tree or to an empty place and sits down. Having crossed the legs, one sets the body erect. One establishes the presence of mindfulness. (MN 10) One is aware: "Ardent, fully aware, mindful, I am content." (SN 47.10)   When feeling a bodily pleasant feeling, one is aware: Feeling a bodily pleasant feeling … one is just aware, just mindful: "There is feeling." And one abides not clinging to anything in the world. (MN 10)

Reflection

In every mind moment, consciousness takes a single, particular object to be aware of, and a particular feeling tone coarises with that moment of consciousness. While knowing the object, we also know whether it feels good or bad, or has a feeling tone that is not obviously one or the other. This sensation becomes a focus point for establishing the presence of mindfulness. Just be aware of that feeling tone, arising and passing.

Daily Practice

In this passage we are focusing only on pleasant bodily feeling tones. Yes, we are allowed to experience pleasure and even to focus on it exclusively. As you sit in meditation, notice what feels good in your body. Even if there is discomfort in some parts of the body, there will also be comfort in other parts. Seek out the pleasure in your bodily experience, noticing its texture and how it changes, arising and passing away.

RIGHT CONCENTRATION Approaching and Abiding in the Second Phase of Absorption (2nd Jhāna)

With the stilling of applied and sustained thought, one enters upon and abides in the second phase of absorption, which has inner clarity and singleness of mind, without applied thought and sustained thought, with joy and the pleasure born of concentration. (MN 4) When one sees oneself purified of all these unhealthy states and thus liberated from them, gladness is born. When one is glad, joy is born; in one who is joyful, the body becomes tranquil; one whose body is tranquil feels pleasure; in one who feels pleasure, the mind becomes concentrated. (MN 40)

Reflection

When the mind is temporarily free of afflicted states, it enters upon a natural path towards concentration. Whether or not you practice the jhānas, some degree of focus is an essential part of meditation practice, and this passage describes how you can gently follow the process of relaxing into concentration.

Daily Practice

See if you can tread the path of gladness, leading to joy, leading to peace. This is not the enthusiastic joy of winning the lottery or dancing at a wedding, but is a more subtle and deeper joy that comes from gladness, from a softening of the mind in response to its being free for some time from restlessness, sluggishness, sense desire, ill will, and doubt. Subtract, as you sit, and see if you can refrain from adding anything.

Tomorrow: Understanding the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering
One week from today:  Establishing Mindfulness of Mind and Abiding in the Third Jhāna

Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media
#DhammaWheel

Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

Via Daily Dharma: The Umbrella Mind

 A closed mind causes separation and suspicion. Like an umbrella, a mind is only useful when it is open. The first step toward maintaining an open mind is to understand the nature of mind or self.

Gerry Shishin Wick Sensei, “Zen in the Workplace”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Via White Crane Institute // GLENN GREENWALD

 

---

Glenn Greenwald

1967 -

GLENN GREENWALD is an American lawyer, journalist and author born on this date. He was a columnist for Guardian US from August 2012 to October 2013. He was a columnist for Salon.com from 2007 to 2012, and an occasional contributor to The Guardian. Greenwald worked as a constitutional and civil rights litigator.

At Salon he contributed as a columnist and blogger, focusing on political and legal topics. He has also contributed to other newspapers and political news magazines, including The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, The American Conservative, The National Interest and In These Times. In 2014 he became, along with Laura Poitrasand and Jeremy Scahill, one of the founding editors of The Intercept.

Greenwald was named by Foreign  Policy Magazine as one of the "Top 100 Global Thinkers of 2013" and The Advocate named him as one of the "50 Most Influential LGBT Persons in 2014".

Four of the five books he has written have been on The New York Times Best Sellers list. Greenwald is a frequent speaker on college campuses, including Harvard Law, Yale Law, the University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, UCLA School of Law and the University of Wisconsin. He frequently appears on various radio and television programs.

In June 2013 Greenwald became widely known after The Guardian published the first of a series of reports detailing United States and British global surveillance programs, based on classified documents disclosed by Edward Snowden. The series on which Greenwald worked, along with others, won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.

His reporting on the National Security Agency (NSA) won numerous other awards around the world, including top investigative journalism prizes from the George Polk Award for National Security Reporting, the 2013 Online Journalism Awards, the Esso Award for Excellence in Reporting in Brazil for his articles in O Globo on NSA mass surveillance of Brazilians (becoming the first foreigner to win the award), the 2013 Libertad de Expresion Internacional award from Argentinian magazine  Perfil, and the 2013 Pioneer Award from the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Greenwald lives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the hometown of his partner, David Michael Miranda. Greenwald has said his residence in Brazil was the result of an American law, the Defense of Marriage Act, barring federal recognition of same-sex marriages, which prevented his partner from receiving a visa to reside in the United States with him.

|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|

Gay Wisdom for Daily Living from White Crane Institute

"With the increasing commodification of gay news, views, and culture by powerful corporate interests, having a strong independent voice in our community is all the more important. White Crane is one of the last brave standouts in this bland new world... a triumph over the looming mediocrity of the mainstream Gay world." - Mark Thompson

Exploring Gay Wisdom & Culture since 1989!
www.whitecraneinstitute.org

|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|

 

Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation // Words of Wisdom - March 6, 2022 💌

 
 

Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga are usually grouped together, because Karma Yoga really is serving others as a way of serving God. You serve others as a way of putting flowers at the feet of God, honoring God, and so doing your ‘seva,’ or service, becomes a technique of doing this.

So doing your ‘seva’, your service, can work in a devotional sense, where you are consciously considering your action as an offering, saying, “This is my Karma Yoga, I am doing this now as service to you, as an offering to God, and it’s work on myself.”

Or, I can do it from a meditative point of view called “meditation in action;” discussed in Trungpa Rinpoche’s book Meditation In Action. In this instance, when I am washing a pot, I don’t wash the pot as an offering to God, I just come into the process of washing the pot until I’m fully in the moment, and I quiet my mind into washing the pot until there is just “washing of the pot-ness,” and that is also Karma Yoga.

Once you are starting to awaken, you look around for practices to purify and help awaken. Most people see meditation as this practice. It’s a clear and simple yoga, and you say, “Well, while I do yoga, I do my meditation, and then I go to work, or then I live life, or then I’m gonna do good or something like that.”

Karma Yoga is taking all of the “good or something” that you are going to do after your meditation, and making it into an offering and practice for awakening.

So it’s a perspective, an attitude of offering and seeing how the actions you are performing are much more than the actions themselves. 

- Ram Dass