Revoked

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Via White Crane Institute //

This Day in Gay History
December 16 Born George Santayana 1863 - GEORGE SANTAYANA, Spanish novelist, born (d: 1952); A philosopher, essayist, poet and novelist and a lifelong Spanish citizen, Santayana was raised and educated in the United States, wrote in English and is generally considered an American man of letters, even though, of his nearly 89 years, he spent only 39 in the U.S. He is perhaps best known as an aphorist, and for the oft-misquoted remark, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it," from Reason in Common Sense, the first volume of his The Life of Reason. It is frequently said that Santayana’s The Last Puritan is the best novel ever written by a philosopher. It is also one of the saddest novels in literature for it relates the story of a painfully unrequited love that was Santayana’s own. The Harvard philosopher spent almost his entire life in love with an unresponsive heterosexual who, at times, couldn’t even remember his name. And it is this lifelong love — for Bertrand Russell’s brother Frank — that is reflected in The Last Puritan. What a beauty Santayana was! What a sad story!

Today's Gay Wisdom 2017 - The Wisdom of George Santayana Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring. Never build your emotional life on the weaknesses of others. History is a pack of lies about events that never happened told by people who weren't there. Friends are generally of the same sex, for when men and women agree, it is only in the conclusions; their reasons are always different. Tyrants are seldom free; the cares and the instruments of their tyranny enslave them. The Difficult is that which can be done immediately; the Impossible that which takes a little longer. Prayer, among sane people, has never superseded practical efforts to secure the desired end.
\|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 Daily Dharma: Day by Day

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Day by Day

Ultimately, the practice is bringing awareness to your existence, second by second, day by day: What am I doing in this moment? What am I thinking?

Michael Imperioli, “No Mud, No Lotus”

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Effort: Developing Unarisen Healthy States

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RIGHT EFFORT
Developing Unarisen Healthy States

Whatever a person frequently thinks about and ponders, that will become the inclination of their mind. If one frequently thinks about and ponders healthy states, one has abandoned unhealthy states to cultivate healthy states, and then one’s mind inclines to healthy states. (MN 19)

Here a person rouses the will, makes an effort, stirs up energy, exerts the mind, and strives to develop the arising of unarisen healthy mental states. One develops the unarisen awakening factor of mindfulness. (MN 141)

Reflection

Effort is the tool we have to shape what we think, say, and do. Using it in healthy ways, we will become healthier. Just as we learn to guard against the arising of unhealthy states, we are also encouraged to develop healthy mental and emotional states. The text will take us through the seven healthy factors of awakening, beginning here with mindfulness. It is always beneficial to be aware, and we should practice doing so.

Daily Practice

Here you are invited to develop healthy mental states, which starts with creating the conditions that encourage them to arise. The first basic condition for healthy states to arise is mindfulness, for by being consciously aware of your experience you are not just reacting unconsciously to whatever comes up. Simply be attentive in every moment you can and notice what is happening. By doing so you participate in your life.

Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Mind and Abiding in the Third Jhāna
One week from today: Maintaining Arisen Healthy States

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