Friday, July 19, 2024

Via Daily Dharma: Release Emotions

 

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Release Emotions

Only through acknowledging and releasing blind emotions can I experience the inner unencumbered and harmonious being that is always present despite the suffering.

Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, “The Terror Within”


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Mindfulness and Playfulness
By Alex Tzelnic
A more equitable and inclusive approach to practice.
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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given

 


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RIGHT LIVING
Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Taking What is Not Given
Taking what is not given is unhealthy. Refraining from taking what is not given is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning the taking of what is not given, one abstains from taking what is not given; one does not take by way of theft the wealth and property of others. (MN 41) One practices thus: “Others may take what is not given, but I will abstain from taking what is not given.” (MN 8)

On smelling an odor with the nose, one does not grasp at its signs and features. Since if one left the nose faculty unguarded, unwholesome states of covetousness and grief might intrude, one practices the way of its restraint, one guards the nose faculty, and undertakes the restraint of the nose faculty. (MN 51)
Reflection
As we move systematically through the six sense spheres, we come to that most overlooked of sensory capabilities, discerning odors. The senses are simply giving us information, and whether we grasp after this information or simply let it be and take what is given is a choice we make in reacting to the information. Moving beyond the raw smell into attraction or aversion is a way of taking what is not given.

Daily Practice
Can you smell something with a lovely scent and simply notice that pleasure arises with the experience of smelling? And can you smell something foul or disgusting and simply be aware that displeasure or even pain arises in the smelling of it? And further, can you hold both experiences equally, with equanimity, rather than automatically being drawn to one and repulsed by the other? Practice simply being with what is.

Tomorrow: Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States
One week from today: Abstaining from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures

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Via White Crane Institute // MAHMOUD ASGARI and AYAZ MARHONI

 


Died
2005 -

The Iranian Government publicly executed two teenage boys on July 19th 2005, in the city of Mashad. Their names were MAHMOUD ASGARI and AYAZ MARHONI, one eighteen and the other seventeen or possibly sixteen-years-old.

They were accused of raping a thirteen-year-old boy, but it has been established that the authorities invented the charge of rape to prevent public sympathy for the true reason for their execution, that they were Gay. After their arrest the two boys endured a year of imprisonment and torture before the high court of Iran upheld their sentence and their execution by hanging was carried out in a public square in the city of Mashad.

International outrage was met with arrogance and impunity by the religious and conservative Iranian government, and a systematic persecution soon began against Gays, which has led to an unverified report of a second execution, and untold numbers of arrests and torture. These events indicate that the worldwide struggle for Gay Freedom has not decreased but has become more violent and inhumane.


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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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Thursday, July 18, 2024

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Verbal Action

 


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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 have done an action with speech, reflect upon that same verbal action thus: “Has this action I have done with speech led to both my own affliction and 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 can use our powers of memory and observation to learn and grow along the path toward greater clarity and self-understanding. We want to do good deeds so that good things will come from that, and one way to do this is to reflect on the impact of our speech on others. If we notice ourselves saying things that cause affliction in ourselves or others, it is beneficial to admit this and learn from it what not to say in the future.

Daily Practice
As with your physical actions, pay attention to the effects of your verbal actions on other people. Just after you have spoken, notice if what you have said might have hurt someone’s feelings or if it has been insensitive or disrespectful in some unintended way. These days more than ever, we cannot always trust our deeply conditioned habit patterns of speech and need to actively reflect on the effects of our verbal actions.

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

Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media
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Questions?
Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.



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

Via Daily Dharma: How Can We Learn About the World?

 

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How Can We Learn About the World?

How can we see more deeply, and grow spiritually more and more? Very simply, how can we learn about the world?

Mushim Patricia Ikeda, “Seeing the Unseen”


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Dogen in a Hammock
By Leath Tonino
On learning to appreciate reading difficult texts. 
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Via White Crane // HORATIO ALGER JR.,

 


Died
Horatio Alger
1899 -

HORATIO ALGER JR., American writer, died (b. 1832); 19th century American author who wrote approximately 135 dime novels. Many of his works have been described as “rags to riches” stories, illustrating how down-and-out boys might be able to achieve the American Dream of wealth and success through hard work, courage, determination, and concern for others.

This widely held view involves a significant simplification, as Alger's characters do not typically achieve extreme wealth; rather they attain middle-class security, stability, and a solid reputation — that is, their efforts are rewarded with a place in society, not domination of it. He is noted as a significant figure in the history of American cultural and social ideals, even though his novels are rarely read these days. As bestsellers in their own time, Alger's books rivaled those of Mark Twain in popularity.

What no one understood at the time, however, was the reason for Alger’s arrival in New York, not to mention an interesting correlative to his atavistic concern for boys. Back in Brewster, a special parish investigating committee of the Unitarian church had charged their minister with “gross immorality and a most heinous crime, a crime of no less magnitude than the abominable and revolting crime of unnatural familiarity with boys.” This is verified by The Washognton Post and The New York Times in their reporting. As recently as 2006, the sexual assault allegations against him prompted the renaming of a Marlborough, Mass., fair that had carried his name, according to reporting for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

Considering what Alger had been accused of doing to two lads named John Clark and Thomas S. Corcker before he hightailed it out of Brewster is it any wonder that his first book was titled Ragged Dick?

And, in the spirit of you-can't-make-this-stuff-up: Of late, it has come to light that one Supreme Court Justice, Clarence Thomas is a celebrated member of the "Horation Alger Jr. Association", an Alexandria, Va.-based nonprofit organization, that has counted the justice as a member for three decades. The New York Times reported that he has called it “a home to Virginia and me,” referring to his wife, and said it “has allowed me to see my dreams come true.”

Do tell.


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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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