Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Effort: Maintaining Arisen Healthy States

 

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RIGHT EFFORT Maintaining Arisen 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 maintain arisen healthy mental states. One maintains the arisen joy-awakening factor. (MN 141)

Reflection Last week we looked at abandoning unhealthy states that have arisen in the mind, and this week we are doing the opposite: practicing to maintain the good states of mind that have come up. If we are feeling generous or kind, or are being truthful, that is a good thing and should be supported. The word translated here as “maintain” also has the sense of guarding or protecting healthy emotions and healthy thoughts. Daily Practice All kinds of positive states arise and pass away naturally in the mind. The practice here is to notice that and to support, reinforce, and sustain positive states. If you say something nice to someone, say it again or say it to another person. If you give something to someone in an act of generosity, acknowledge that giving to others is good for you and look for opportunities to give again and again in different ways. Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Mental Objects and Abiding in the Fourth Jhāna One week from today: Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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Via Daily Dharma: The Zero State

 

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The Zero State  There is no need to be afraid of having faults, because knowing we have them can help us to improve. If you considered yourself perfect, would you still want to meditate and cultivate your practice? Master Sheng Yen, “How to Be Faultless” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Buddhist Film Festival Presented by Tricycle March 15-24, 2024 We invite you to join us today at 12:00 P.M. ET for a live screening of The Departure and Q&A with director Lana Wilson as a part of our first-ever Buddhist Film Festival. When you buy your ticket you will have access to today's live screening and Q&A along with five feature-length films and five short films.  Get your ticket » The Eight Awarenesses of the Awakened Being With Laura Burges Ryuko Laura Burges, a lay entrusted dharma teacher in the Soto Zen tradition, discusses “The Eight Awarenesses of the Awakened Being,” realizations that are available to us all and especially helpful in our practice of recovery from addiction. Watch now » Follow Us Forward today's wisdom to a friend »

Via Be Here Now Network // John Fugelsang

 

Chris Grosso – The Indie Spiritualist – Ep. 126 – Humor, Religion, and Politics with John Fugelsang
March 15, 2024

In this episode, Chris Grosso and John Fugelsang converse about:  “People who’ve had such oppression have rebelled against so much never-ending shittiness with humor....

Listen Now

Via [GBF] "Can Our Life Be Ethical AND Joyous?" with Steven Tierney

Steven Tierney shares that we begin to truly embody the Bodhisattva vow when our decisions are based on their impact on "we" rather than "I." We pause and consider others before we think or act. It doesn't mean we forget ourselves, but that others are considered in our actions. 

Taking this vow we commit to not being instigators of any further chaos or misery in the world. Just meditating quietly is a moral act because, during that time, we refrain from creating any conflict. 

He shares that ethical living (known as Śīla in Buddhist practice) goes beyond refraining from harm - we become liberators. The foundations of Śīla are three components of the Eightfold Path: 

• Wise speech
• Wise action
• Wise livelihood

Pausing to consider these three can become our code of conduct that embraces self-restraint, primarily motivated by freedom from causing harm.
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Listen to the talk on your favorite podcast player or our website: 

https://gaybuddhist.org/podcast/can-our-life-be-ethical-and-joyous-steven-tierney/

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Enjoy 800+ free recorded dharma talks at www.gaybuddhist.org/podcast/

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Intoxication

 

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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 loss of good name. (DN 31)

Reflection Negligence can seem harmless enough in some minor cases, but often it has serious consequences. When we are not paying adequate attention, people can get hurt. The opposite of negligence—diligence or attentiveness—is a cardinal Buddhist virtue. This is partly because of the care for life that we have seen expressed in many places. Committing to abstain from intoxication is a gift of harmlessness we give to others. Daily Practice On the practical side, this text is pointing out the loss of reputation that so often accompanies any kind of addiction or habitual intoxication. A person who has a compulsive habit simply cannot be trusted and will usually demonstrate this in potentially harmful ways. If you are generally attentive, acknowledge that your friends and family trust you, and take pride in your good reputation. It’s okay to do so. 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.

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© 2024 Tricycle Foundation 89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Via Daily Dharma: Sangha Is a Treasure

 

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Sangha Is a Treasure  The sangha is the treasure of our greatest yearning, for it provides all of us with a sense of belonging as well as a safe haven; a foundation from which to grow and develop; a way to commit to excellence in practice; and above all, a connection to the heart of compassion. Myokei Caine-Barrett, Shonin, “Our Common Thread” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Talking ‘Tukdam’ with Documentary Filmmaker Donagh Coleman Tricycle interviews Donagh Coleman Ahead of the film’s screening at our upcoming 10-Day Buddhist Film Festival, Tricycle spoke with director Donagh Coleman about the movie’s inception, the valleys between Tibetan Buddhist belief and Western medicine, and the possibility of a sequel.  Read more »