Via Daily Dharma: No Fundamental Distinction

 

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No Fundamental Distinction Just understand that birth and death itself is nirvana, and you will neither hate one as being birth and death nor cherish the other as being nirvana. Eihei Dogen Zenji, “Birth and Death Are Nirvana”  CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Social Action

 

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RIGHT ACTION Reflecting Upon Social 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 social action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61) A person is content with any food they may get, speaks in praise of such contentment, and does not try to obtain things in improper or unsuitable ways. Not getting things one does not worry, and getting them one makes use of them without being greedy, obsessed, or infatuated, observing such potential dangers and wisely being aware of how to escape them. (AN 4.28)

Reflection Contentment is a healthy character trait, to be cultivated by appreciating what you have at every opportunity. Every moment your mental state plants a seed that becomes rooted in the traits of the unconscious mind, influencing what mind states will arise in the future. Feeling content here and now inclines the mind to feel content in the future, while obsessing over what you do not have only leads to more discontent. Daily Practice Practice intentionally being aware of the things you have rather than focusing on what you lack. This will not only lead to greater personal happiness but contribute to social harmony as well. There is always something you can feel content about, even if it is just the fact that you are able to eat a meal every day. Notice when you find yourself wishing for something different regarding food and try to let go of this and be content. Tomorrow: Abstaining from Intoxication One week from today: Reflecting upon Bodily Action 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: Presence Is a Superpower

 

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Presence Is a Superpower If we are completely present to whatever is arising, we can stretch beyond our self-imposed limits; we can endure what may seem unendurable. Shinge Roko Sherry Chayat Roshi, “Full-Moon Mind” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Frivolous Speech

 

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RIGHT SPEECH Refraining from Frivolous Speech Frivolous speech is unhealthy. Refraining from frivolous speech is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning frivolous speech, one refrains from frivolous speech. One speaks at the right time, speaks only what is fact, and speaks about what is good. One speaks what is worthy of being overheard, words that are reasonable, moderate, and beneficial. (DN 1) One practices thus: “Others may speak frivolously, but I shall abstain from frivolous speech.” (MN 8) I assert and proclaim such a teaching that one does not quarrel with anyone in the world. (MN 18)

Reflection It is entirely natural that people have differences of opinion. It is not entirely necessary that they quarrel about these by getting angry, abusive, or dismissive, or otherwise generating unhealthy and harmful emotions. It is enough to hold and express your own opinions and let others hold and express theirs. You can still encourage them to change their opinions but to do so in discussion and conversation rather than with quarreling.  Daily Practice See if you can imagine what sort of a teaching you might follow such that you would not be inclined to quarrel with anyone in the world. Do you have to take it personally when someone disagrees with you? Do you need to have other people change their opinions to align with yours? See what it feels like to acknowledge that others have different opinions than yours and to feel at ease with that, with no need to have them change. Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Social Action One week from today: Refraining from False 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: More Love

 

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More Love There is far more love available to us in any given moment than we might be aware [of]. And there is much, much more love in our hearts than we as adults have been conditioned to believe is appropriate to express. Kate Johnson, “Making the First Move” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation //

 

Every religion is the product of the conceptual mind attempting to describe the mystery. - Ram Dass

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Intention: Cultivating Equanimity

 

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RIGHT INTENTION Cultivating Equanimity 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 equanimity, for when you develop meditation on equanimity, all aversion is abandoned. (MN 62)  Equanimity is the way to purity for one who has much attachment. (Vm 9.108) When a person, tasting a flavor with the tongue, is not attached to pleasing flavors and not repelled by unpleasing flavors, they have established mindfulness and dwell with an unlimited mind. For a person whose mindfulness is developed and practiced, the tongue does not struggle to reach pleasing flavors, and unpleasing flavors are not considered repulsive. (SN 35.274)

Reflection We all naturally have many attachments. Much of the time we cherish these and feel they are the very things that make life worthwhile. In the Buddhist analysis they also cause us suffering, lead to bodily and mental troubles, and cause a lot of harm in the world. The emotional stance of equanimity is a way of fully experiencing things without being caught by them, of tasting their flavor without attachment or revulsion. Daily Practice Experiment with your experience when you are tasting and consuming food. It is usual to like some things and dislike others, but what if instead you had equanimity toward what you are eating? This doesn't mean eating bland food; rather, it means not focusing on preferences but fully appreciating the pleasant flavor of some bites and the unpleasant flavor of others. Notice the different textures without favoring or opposing. Tomorrow: Refraining from Frivolous Speech One week from today: Cultivating Lovingkindness 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 Gift That Keeps Giving

 

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The Gift That Keeps Giving Generosity brings happiness at every stage of its expression: We experience joy in forming the intention to give, we experience joy in the action of giving, and we experience joy in remembering that we have given. As Gandhi said, “The fragrance remains in the hand that gives the rose.” Beth Roth, “Family Dharma: The Joy of Generosity” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE