Thursday, May 2, 2024

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Mental Action

 


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RIGHT ACTION
Reflecting Upon Mental 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 mental action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61)

When you have done an action with the mind, reflect upon that same mental action thus: “Has this action I have done with the mind led to the affliction of another?” If, upon reflection, you know that it has, then tell someone you trust about it and undertake a commitment not to do it again. If you know it has not, then be content and feel happy about it. (MN 61)
Reflection
We are used to hearing that Buddhist teachings encourage us to stay in the present moment, and this is true of meditation generally. But it is also appropriate to learn from the past, and reflecting on your past actions is one way to do this. Notice that actions include mental actions, so even what you have thought in the past is to be investigated to see if any of it has caused harm to another person.

Daily Practice
Think back on the quality of your thoughts directed toward other people in the recent past. Have you felt jealousy, ill will, or repressed anger, for example? Have you plotted in some small way to undermine the success of someone, even if you did not put the plan into action? This is intrinsically unhealthy and potentially harmful behavior, and bringing such thoughts to light by confessing them to a friend can be helpful.

Tomorrow: Abstaining from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures
One week from today: Reflecting upon Social Action

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

Questions?
Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.



Tricycle is a nonprofit and relies on your support to keep its wheels turning.

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

Via Daily Dharma: Death Brings Life

 


As a nonprofit organization, Tricycle depends on the generosity of individuals like you.

Please make a tax-deductible gift here »
Death Brings Life

Facing the truth of our own death can bring us back to life.

Juliana Sloane, “What a Visit to a Cadaver Lab Taught Me About Death Contemplation”


CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE
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The Buddha as a Farmer
By Thanissaro Bhikkhu
How the farming culture of the Buddha’s day may have shaped his ideas on patience.
Read more »

Aging as a Spiritual Practice
An Online Course with Lewis Richmond
Confront the realities of growing older with clear-sightedness and compassion with Zen teacher and ordained disciple of Suzuki Roshi, Lewis Richmond. His experience and unique meditation practices will help you to meet life with wisdom, acceptance, and greater ease.
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Via White Crane Institute \\ TYRONE "TY" HERNDON


Country singer Ty Herndon
1962 -

TYRONE "TY" HERNDON is an American country music singer. After signing to Epic Record  in 1995, Herndon made his debut with his number one single, "What Mattered Most", followed by the release of his first album of the same title. The album was followed by the release of his second album, Living in a Moment, which produced his second number one country hit, with the album's title track.

In June 1995, Herndon was arrested in Fort Worth, Texas, at Gateway Park by an undercover male police officer who alleged that Herndon asked the officer to accompany him to a wooded area of the park where Herndon sat on a log and exposed himself. When taken into custody, he was also discovered to be in possession of methamphetamine. A plea bargain saw the singer sentenced to community service and drug rehab, and the charge of indecent exposure was dropped. By the end of 2000, Herndon's music was no longer being played on radio, and by 2002 he had stopped touring. Thus began both a professional and personal downward slide that included a divorce from his second wife, bankruptcy, a weight gain of 75 pounds, a mugging in Los Angeles by three men at gunpoint, a lawsuit from a California dentist claiming that Herndon had not paid for emergency dental work and another lawsuit from a former manager for breach of contract. In 2004, he entered a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility for the second time.

Following the incident in Fort Worth, his sexuality became a topic of interest within the country music industry. Although his rep denied it following his arrest, the speculation came to an end on November 20, 2014, in an interview with People magazine, Herndon came out as a gay man, and stated that he had been in a relationship for a few years with Matt Collum. When asked if his two ex-wives knew of his sexuality, Herndon confirmed that they "absolutely" knew. In relation to this, Herndon re-issued "What Mattered Most" in June 2019 with the song's pronouns changed to reflect a gay relationship. He noted that he had been in a closeted relationship with another man at the time of the original's release.

Ty has partnered with GLAAD to put on the Concert For Love and Acceptance to help raise funds for the LGBT+ community. The 2020 event — co-hosted by Ty’s “dear friend” Kristen Chenoweth, and CMT’s Cody Alan — also raised money the Academy of County Music’s Lifting Lives, a nonprofit organization serving members of the music community who face unexpected hardships.

 

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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 \\ BENJAMIN SPOCK

 


Dr. Benjamin Spock and a child who will, no doubt, Live Long and Prosper
1903 -

The go-to pediatrician BENJAMIN SPOCK was born (d: 1998). Before there was Vulcan "Spock" there was Dr. Spock. His book, Baby and Child Care, published in 1946, is one of the biggest best-sellers of all time. Its revolutionary message to mothers was that "you know more than you think you do."

Spock was an early advocate for the rights of LGBT people. He was also the People's Party candidate in the 1972 United States presidential election on a platform which called for free medical care, the repeal of "victimless crime" laws, including the legalization of abortion, homosexuality, and marijuana, a guaranteed minimum income for families and the immediate withdrawal of all American troops from foreign countries. He died in 1998.

|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

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Wednesday, May 1, 2024

THE TASTE OF THINGS Trailer (2023) Juliette Binoche, Drama Movie

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Harsh Speech

 



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 speaks hurriedly, one’s body grows tired and one’s mind becomes excited, one’s voice is strained and one’s throat becomes hoarse, and the speech of one who speaks hurriedly is indistinct and hard to understand. (MN 139)
Reflection
This is a simple and straightforward suggestion for how to speak more effectively. Hurried speech is a form of harsh speech and is to be abandoned whenever possible. When you look, you can see how strained people can get when they rush their words, and you know what this feels like when you do it. Speedy action of body, speech, or mind supports restlessness, while taking your time is conducive to calming body and mind. 

Daily Practice
Put this guideline for right speech into action today and see what effect it has on your mind and body and on the people with whom you speak. Slow down your speech. Take your time to say what you mean with care. See if you can craft words that “go to the heart” rather than speaking harshly. Notice also when the speech of others is indistinct or hard to understand, and learn from this the effect of your own speech.

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.



Tricycle is a nonprofit and relies on your support to keep its wheels turning.

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