Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Harsh Speech

 

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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 disengaged from the pursuit of self-mortification have entered upon the right way,” one thus extols some. But when one says instead, “The disengagement from the pursuit of self-mortification is a state without suffering, and it is the right way,” then one is not extolling anyone but simply stating the truth. (MN 139)

Reflection The principle we reviewed earlier about criticizing the negative actions of people rather than criticizing them as people also applies in the positive direction. It is better to extol, to praise, positive words and deeds than to extol the person. While the negative comments lead to protective defensive behaviors, the positive comments could result in an increase of pride and conceit. Daily Practice Praising someone for being a great person boosts their sense of self, and while this may be a good thing in the case of the developing egos of youngsters, it is not something encouraged for Buddhist practitioners. By all means extol the value and benefit of benevolent words and deeds, for example, but practice the habit of not feeding people’s view of self, lest you contribute to their self-aggrandizement. Help people be humble. 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.

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Via Daily Dharma: It’s All Good

 

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It’s All Good When you encounter a difficulty in your life, an impasse, solve it. If you can solve it, it’s good. If you can’t solve it, it’s still good, as it’s no longer your problem if you can’t solve it. Guo Gu, “The Sound of a Bell, the Seven-Piece Robe” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Phone By Dylan Tuccillo A Lisbon-based writer explores the artificial nature of digital memories. Read more »

Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation // Words of Wisdom - April 3, 2024 💌

 

I've found that each meditation technique I've ever pursued has helped me by touching another space in my being. Somehow I've danced through them without getting caught in a value system that would say that a single meditative technique is the only way. You cannot, however, keep collecting methods all the way to enlightenment. Sooner or later, you will be drawn to one path or another, which is for you the eye of the needle, the doorway to the inner temple.

- Ram Dass

Via Daily Dharma: For Every Front There Is a Back

 

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For Every Front There Is a Back On the opposite side of every front, there is a back; on the opposite side of every back, there is a front. One cannot exist without the other. Yet human beings invariably tend to see only the front and to assume that this is all that exists. Masahiro Mori, “Back Up and Take Another Look” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Just Walking, Just Eating By Mike Gillis A retrospective on Jiro Taniguchi’s masterful comic The Walking Man to contemplate taking in the small wonders of life. Read more »

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Intention: Cultivating Appreciative Joy

 

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RIGHT INTENTION Cultivating Appreciative Joy 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 appreciative joy, for when you develop meditation on appreciative joy, any discontent will be abandoned. (MN 62)  The proximate cause of appreciative joy is seeing the success of other beings. (Vm 9.95)

Reflection It comes naturally to us, for the most part, to feel good about good things happening to us. But this does not necessarily happen all the time. What if we could feel good twice as often or more? Why not experience that same emotion of appreciative joy when other people meet with success or good fortune? Instead of feeling jealousy or resentment, we can develop the skill of sharing in the good fortune of others. Daily Practice Look around you for examples of good things happening to other people. It can seem hard to find because of the negative bias of our news sources, but if you search a little you can find good news. When you do, allow yourself to feel gladness and joy for the good fortune of those people. Share in the appreciation and gratitude. You can only feel appreciative joy when you see or think about the success of others, so look for it. 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.

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Via ADAM and ANDY

 

ADAM and ANDY

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