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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Verbal Action

 

RIGHT ACTION
Reflecting Upon Verbal 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 verbal action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61) When you are doing an action with speech, reflect upon that same verbal action thus: “Is this action I am doing with speech an unhealthy bodily action with painful consequences and painful results?” If, upon reflection, you know that it is, then stop doing it; if you know that it is not, then continue. (MN 61)

Reflection

Speech is a form of action, and all actions have their consequences. Using mindfulness as a kind of mirror, pay attention to the effect your verbal actions have on those you speak to, as well as the effect they have on your own mental and emotional states. If you detect that people are being harmed by what you say, or if you notice your own mood turning toward the unhelpful spectrum, then stop saying what you are saying.

Daily Practice

A careful speaker is consciously aware of what they are saying while they are speaking and also takes notice of how their words are affecting others. Practice speaking carefully. It takes some extra effort to both compose your words and reflect upon them, as with a mirror, but it is worthwhile effort. Words are like seeds, and as the discourse reminds us, “However the seed is planted, in that way the fruit is gathered.”

Tomorrow: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given
One week from today: Reflecting upon Mental Action

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Via Daily Dharma: Practicing Nonduality with Pain

 A goal-oriented healing practice cannot permeate deeply enough. We must penetrate our pain so thoroughly that illness and health lose their distinction, allowing us just to live our lives.

Darlene Cohen, “The Practice of Nonpreference”

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Via LGBTQ Nation -- Anti-trans troll Matt Walsh says Black mermaids aren’t “scientific” in on-air meltdown

 

Via LGBTQ Nation -- Pete Buttigieg had the most polite clapback for a GOP official who called him a "weak little girl"

 

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Malicious Speech

RIGHT SPEECH
Refraining from Malicious Speech

Malicious speech is unhealthy. Refraining from malicious speech is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning malicious speech, one refrains from malicious speech. One does not repeat there what one has heard here to the detriment of these, or repeat here what he has heard there to the detriment of those. One unites those who are divided, is a promoter of friendships, and speaks words that promote concord. (DN 1) One practices thus: “Others may speak maliciously, but I shall abstain from malicious speech.” (MN 8) If anyone should speak in disparagement of something, you should not be angry, resentful, or upset on that account. If you were to be angry or displeased that would only be an impediment to you, and then you could not recognize whether what they say is rightly said or not rightly said. If others should speak in disparagement of something, then you are to explain what is incorrect as being incorrect. (DN 1)

Reflection

Speech is a two-way street, and the practice of right speech includes the ability to listen well in addition to speaking well. When you are the recipient of malicious speech—words that are intended to attack and wound and induce anger in you—it is a practice in itself to resist the temptation to take offense and lash out with your own malicious speech. Equanimity is the tool to use here, allowing you to not take things personally.

Daily Practice

Practice listening to the words of others, especially those that are critical of you or that disagree with opinions you hold dear, without taking them personally. Notice when the reflex of self-defense rears up; notice how it inclines you to resist what is being said and even to want to attack the person saying it—and then use the power of equanimity to regard the content objectively, without being automatically triggered into aversion.

Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Verbal Action
One week from today: Refraining from Harsh Speech

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Via Daily Dharma: Investigating Desire

 By going into the experience of desire itself, rather than acting on it, you let go of the belief that you are incomplete.

Ken McLeod, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”

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Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation // Words of Wisdom - September 14, 2022 💌

 
 

"Now the elegance of karma yoga is, the very act you do to help another person is simultaneously the act you’re doing to work on yourself. Like, I am helping you now, at some level, but this act is my work on myself. Because the clearer I get, the better my help is for you. So I’m serving as an act to work on myself; I am working on myself as an act to better serve you. Can you see how the circle works? Can you see the elegance of that?"

- Ram Dass -

From Here & Now Ep. 207: Getting Free with Karma Yoga

Via KCRW // Mt. Shasta

 

Via White Crane Institute // SIR FRANCIS SCOTT KEY

 

Noteworthy

The Anacreonic Song

1814 -

SIR FRANCIS SCOTT KEY wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” on this day. We celebrate this as a moment in Gay history because the theme of the anthem is based on the then popular “Anacreon in Heaven.” Ahhhh...Anacreon. Who was Anacreon? Born in Teos, Ionia circa 570 BCE, Anacreon was one of the nine Lyric Poets of the golden age of Greek poetry. And being the good and manly Greek he was, Anacreon’s poems and odes were largely about the beautiful boys he loved or longed for or held in his arms as he cooed lyrical poetry to them. He kisses and tells; he names names: Smerdis, Leukapsis, Smialus, Eurylus and Bathyluss, probably the boy band of the day.

The structure of his poesy was so popular in its own time that others imitated the eponymously named “Anacreontics.” Anacreon was rediscovered by English poets in the 19^th century and they swooned for him like a well-oiled boy in the gymnasium. The vogue for Anacreontics in English culminated in the popular song “Anacreon in Heaven,” the famously un-singable tune for the American national anthem. There have been attempts to convince Congress to seek a new national anthem, something a tad more accessible vocally for the masses. Our bet: if you want to accelerate this movement, just whisper in the ear of the Moral Majority the story of the foreign fay and his poems about “dipping his star-spangled banana” in young men.  (thank you Perry Brass!) That ought to do the trick.

 

 

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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

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Via White Crane Institute // ALAIN LOCKE

 This Day in Gay History

September 13

Born

Alain Locke

1886 -

ALAIN LOCKE (d: 1954) An American writer, editor, philosopher, educator and patron of the arts was born on this date. He is best known for his writings on and about the Harlem Renaissance. He is unofficially called the "Father of the Harlem Renaissance." His philosophy served as a strong motivating force in keeping the energy and passion of the Movement at the forefront.

In classic same-sex “culture carrier” mode, Locke promoted African American artists, writers, and musicians, encouraging them to look to Africa as an inspiration for their works. He encouraged them to depict African and African American subjects, and to draw on their history for subject material. Locke edited the March 1925 issue of the periodical Survey Graphic, a special on Harlem and the Harlem Renaissance, which helped educate white readers about the flourishing culture there.

Later that year, he expanded the issue into The New Negro, a collection of writings by African Americans, which would become one of his best known and seminal works.

His philosophy of the New Negro was grounded in the concept of race-building. Its most important component is overall awareness of the potential black equality; No longer would blacks allow themselves to adjust themselves or comply with unreasonable white requests. This idea was based on self-confidence and political awareness. Although in the past the laws regarding equality had been ignored without consequence, Locke's philosophical idea of The New Negro allowed for real fair treatment. Because this was just an idea and not an actual bylaw, its power was held in the people. If they wanted this idea to flourish, they were the ones who would need to "enforce" it through their actions and overall points of view. Locke has been said to have greatly influenced and encouraged Zora Neale Hurston.

 

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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

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Via NPR // 'A Place Called Home' is a vivid story of author David Ambroz's childhood

 

Via Daily Dharma: Look to Your Heart

 If we study our own hearts, we’ll find that everything is written there.

Ayya Medhanandi Bhikkhuni, “The Dharma of Snow”

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Intention: Cultivating Compassion

 

RIGHT INTENTION
Cultivating Compassion

Whatever you intend, whatever you plan, and whatever you have a tendency toward, that will become the basis on which your mind is established. (SN 12.40) Develop meditation on compassion, for when you develop meditation on compassion, any cruelty will be abandoned. (MN 62) Compassion is the way to purity for one who has much cruelty. (Vm 9.108)

Reflection

None of us like to think of ourselves as cruel, yet cruelty lies dormant in all of us and can rise up without our calling it intentionally to mind. It may not ripen into murderous intent, but it can nonetheless manifest in subtle ways and cause great harm to ourselves and others. Compassion is both the antidote to and the vaccine for this affliction, dispelling cruelty once it has arisen and guarding against its arising again in the future.

Daily Practice

Call to mind the emotion of compassion, feeling tenderness toward those who suffer and encouraging the gentle wish that they heal and become free from affliction. Notice how this has a purifying effect on your mind and heart; it almost feels like fresh, cool water washing away any residue of selfishness or ill will. Bathe in this shower of compassion at every opportunity, thereby keeping all thoughts of harm out of mind.

Tomorrow: Refraining from Malicious Speech
One week from today: Cultivating Appreciative Joy

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Via Daily Dharma: Rest in Experience

 When experiential understanding arises, release all words and concepts. Rest mind within that experience, like resting mind on the breath in shamatha.

Lama Karma Yeshe Chödrön, “Wording the Dharma”

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right View: Understanding the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering

RIGHT VIEW
Understanding the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering

What is the origin of suffering? It is craving, which brings renewal of being, is accompanied by delight and lust, and delights in this and that: that is, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for being, and craving for non-being. (MN 9) When one does not know and see formations as they actually are, then one is attached to formations. When one is attached, one becomes infatuated, and one’s craving increases. One’s bodily and mental troubles increase, and one experiences bodily and mental suffering. (MN 149)

Reflection

The aggregate of formations comprises all the volitional and emotional factors that make up our mental states, that guide our actions of body, speech, and mind, and that shape our deeper character and personality traits. These provide the basis for suffering because we so easily become attached to and infatuated with them. Formations are not a problem in themselves, but craving for them is the very cause of our suffering.

Daily Practice

Practice being aware of your mental states without being attached to them. Observe them with equanimity as they pass through your mind, rather than sorting them into what you welcome and what you resent. Do the same with your intentions and deepest underlying dispositions. Notice how easily any of these can become “sticky” and induce you to cling to it. This is how suffering arises. It is important to see and know this.

Tomorrow: Cultivating Compassion
One week from today: Understanding the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering

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Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.