Via LGBTQ Nation // The worst part of traveling while gay

 

The worst part of traveling while gay

People often say that they think we're brothers, but we don't look anything alike. Why is that?

Commentary by Michael Jensen & Brent Hartinger Friday, April 15, 2022     

 

Make the Jump Here to  Read the Full Article

New [GBF] new GBF talks

 

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

2022_04_10 Bob Stahl The 32 Parts of The Body Meditation .mp3

1999_12_05 Clint Seiter Community.mp3

1999_11_21 Kobai Scott Whitney Right Speech.mp3

1999_11_14 Carol Newhouse Desire Passion.mp3

1999_11_07 Jim Wilson Bodichitta Heart Wisdom Incomplete.mp3

1999_10_31 Christian de la Huerta.mp3

Via Daily Dharma: No Needle, No Haystack

 Everybody is looking for something that isn’t available. It’s worse than looking for a needle in a haystack; at least the needle is there, even though it is hard to find. But satisfaction and self are both delusions, so how can they ever be found?

Ayya Khema, “No Satisfaction”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Intoxication

 

RIGHT LIVING
Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Intoxication

Intoxication is unhealthy. Refraining from intoxication is healthy. (MN 9) What are the imperfections that defile the mind? Negligence is an imperfection that defiles the mind. Knowing that negligence is an imperfection that defiles the mind, a person abandons it. (MN 7) One practices thus: “Others may become negligent by intoxication, but I will abstain from the negligence of intoxication." (MN 8) One of the dangers attached to addiction to intoxicants is indecent exposure of one's person. (DN 31)

Reflection

The arguments put forward in the early Buddhist texts against intoxication were mostly practical ones. In this case there is the recognition that when you lose control of yourself through some form of intoxication, the chances increase that you will do something foolish or embarrassing that you will regret later. Better to undertake the commitment to abstain from the kind of negligence that leads to such behaviors.

Daily Practice

See if, through introspection, you can discern the point at which intoxication begins to show up in your experience. If you are a drinker, investigate the moment between the first and second swig, or the first and second glass, or whatever point you can notice when the mind begins to get a little sluggish. If you don’t drink, try the same experiment with some other form of intoxication. There are many to choose from.

Tomorrow: Maintaining Arisen Healthy States
One week from today: Abstaining from Harming Living Beings

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

Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

Via FB //The Other 98%

 

The US Navy and Their Hilariously Inept Search for Dorothy and Her Friends

100 Years of Men in Love: The Accidental Collection Trailer

Via Bay Area Reporter // 100 Years of Men in Love: new film celebrates historic affectionate photos

 

Via Bay Area Reporter // Great Freedom' - love in the face of injustice

 

'Great Freedom' - love in the face of injustice

MOVIES | By Brian Bromberger | Apr 12

At a time when Ukrainians are being killed and dying for their freedom, Austrian writer/director Sebastian Meise's exquisite film 'Great Freedom' couldn't have arrived in Bay Area theaters at a more opportune time.

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Social Action

 

RIGHT ACTION
Reflecting Upon Social 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 social action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61) One reflects thus: “Others may speak in unhealthy ways; I shall refrain from speaking in unhealthy ways.” (MN 8) One lives with companions in concord, with mutual appreciation, without disputing, blending like milk and water, viewing each other with kindly eyes. One practices thus: “I maintain verbal acts of lovingkindness toward my companions both openly and privately.” (MN 31)

Reflection

How we speak to one another has a big impact on how well we get along with one another. We evoke from others the same emotions we express to them. If you say something with annoyance, you will provoke annoyance. If you say something kind, you will bring out the kindness of others. This is how human interactions work: however the seed is planted, the fruit is gathered.

Daily Practice

One important way of practicing in daily life is bringing as much lovingkindness as possible to everything you do, especially in the realm of verbal action. Make a point today of speaking kindly to the people you interact with. You’ll find it comes easily if you can manage to view the other person “with kindly eyes.” Find something good in other people to focus upon and allow your speech to flow from the emotion of friendliness.

Tomorrow: Abstaining from Intoxication
One week from today: Reflecting upon Bodily Action

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

Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

Via Via Daily Dharma: Be with the Breath

 

 A sense of ease and wellbeing with the breath can do a lot more for you than any amount of status, material gain, praise, outside pleasures—any of the ways of the world.

Thanissaro Bhikkhu, “Less is More” 

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Via FB

 

Penélope Cruz’s Role in Parallel Mothers Was 18 Years in the Making | Th...

PARALLEL MOTHERS | Official Trailer

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Frivolous Speech

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 be hurt, and you cannot help them emerge from what is unhealthy and establish themselves in what is healthy—one should not underrate equanimity toward such a person. (MN 103)

Reflection

Many times in the world of human interaction we encounter minor offenses of some kind that usually provoke an immediate and unexamined reaction. When we feel hurt or annoyed or angry, we often lash back automatically. This is what we are focusing on here. By becoming aware of our speech and only speaking when it is useful and appropriate, we bypass a lot of unconscious conditioning that can cause harm.

Daily Practice

Sometimes you run into a difficult person. There are situations in which it is not going to be effective to speak up. See if you can identify these situations when you run across them and remain silent instead of venting your emotions. Many times it is better to maintain equanimity than to get drawn into an argument or even a fight. Practice not allowing yourself to be provoked into unnecessary speech.

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.

 

Via Daily Dharma: Sharing Our Light

 When out of gratitude we use our candle to light other people’s candles, the whole room gets brighter. This is why we transfer merit to others. This kind of light is continuous and inexhaustible.

Master Sheng Yen, “Rich Generosity”

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Via FB

 

Via White Crane Institute // QUEER NATION

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Queer Nights Out!

1990 -

QUEER NATION, the direct-action group's inaugural action took place at Flutie's Bar, a straight hangout at the South Street Sea Port in New York City on April 13, 1990. The goal: to make clear to patrons that queers will not be restricted to Gay bars for socializing and for public displays of affection. More visibility actions like this one became known as "Queer Nights Out."

|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 - April 13, 2022 💌

 
 

Don't treat yourself so gingerly; you can let go of stuff. Sometimes it takes three breaths instead of two to do it, but you can do it. Be a little tougher and don't cling to stuff. People go around carrying everybody's stuff all of the time. I just pick it up and put it down. Pick it up and put it down. - Ram Dass