Via The Tricycle Community \\ Three Teachings: Sitting with Suffering

 

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September 19, 2024 Breaking Open Instead of Breaking Down   Suffering is an inevitable, defining feature of existence. The Buddha gained this insight when he attained enlightenment, and later declared this as the first of the four noble truths. Escape from suffering is the goal of Buddhism, but the way out is not to turn away. The way out is through. So as we work toward the goal of escaping suffering, we must learn to endure pain, hardship, disappointment, and all the various ways suffering shows up around us and in our own lives.   How do we confront and sit with suffering without letting it destroy us? How does intimacy with suffering advance insight and stir compassion instead of fear, hostility, or callousness? One way to help relieve the pain is simply to embrace suffering with care and attention, whether it is arising in ourselves or we’re watching atrocity unfold around the world. Another option is to cultivate compassion. As meditation teacher Scott Tusa says, “Compassion allows us to bear witness in a way that softens us and opens us, rather than breaks us down.” It brings us together and fortifies us where we otherwise might feel isolated and helpless.  This week’s Three Teachings explores how developing compassion through practice and in everyday life can help sustain us through adversity near and far. Why We Shouldn’t Be Afraid of Suffering By Thich Nhat Hanh  Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh says that we shouldn’t fear suffering; we should fear not knowing how to handle our suffering. Therefore, looking away isn’t the answer. Rather, we should look closely with mindful attention. Read more » On Bearing Witness and the Wisdom of Karuna By Jessica Angima First-generation Kenyan-American organizer and social practice artist Jessica Angima offers advice and practical steps for cultivating clear seeing, resilience, and ultimately skillful action in the face of suffering. Read more » Fostering Boundless Compassion: The Root of Connection By Scott Tusa In the third of a four-part Dharma Talk, meditation teacher Scott Tusa explains how developing compassion allows us to soften and open instead of shutting down or shutting out harsh realities. In turn, this leads to greater connection. Watch Now » Follow Us

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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 are doing an action with the mind, reflect on that same mental action thus: “Is this action I am doing with the mind an unhealthy bodily action with painful consequences and painful results?” If, on reflection, you know that it is, then stop doing it; if you know that it is not, then continue. (MN 61)

Reflection The mind is always in motion, either taking in information from the senses and processing it, or conjuring up thoughts and images, memories and plans, from its own interior reaches. It is valuable to learn how to watch what your mind is doing, for in this way you gain the ability to discern whether your mental actions are healthy or unhealthy and helpful or unhelpful to the agenda of well-being and happiness. Daily Practice Practice and develop the skill of metacognition: that is, being aware of what you are thinking as you are thinking it. The same goes for being aware of the entire range of mental activity, including remembering, imagining, and associating one mental object with another. In addition, measure your mental activity in terms of how harmful or beneficial the consequences of your actions are, and adjust your actions as appropriate. 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.

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Via Daily Dharma: No Monkey Business

 

No Monkey Business

If you’re concentrating, you’re not roaming around—there’s no monkey business. While I’m creating, I have no time to think badly about other beings. In this way, my art practice is like a spiritual practice. Asha Kama, “Recovering ‘Wasted Prayers’” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

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Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation -- Words of Wisdom - September 18, 2024 💌

 

"People ask, 'Do you believe that there is continuity after death?' And I say, 'I don’t believe it. It just is.' That offends my scientific friends no end. But belief is something you hold onto with your intellect. My faith in the continuity of life has gone way beyond the intellect. Belief is a problem because it is rooted in the mind, and in the process of death, the mind crumbles. Faith, consciousness, and awareness all exist beyond the thinking mind..."

- Ram Dass -

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) Just see how many people fight! I’ll tell you about the dreadful fear that caused me to shake all over: seeing creatures flopping around, like fish in shallow water, so hostile to one another! Seeing people locked in conflict, I became completely distraught. But then I discerned here a thorn, hard to see, lodged deep in the heart. It’s only when pierced by this thorn that one runs in all directions. So if that thorn is taken out, one does not run and settles down. (Sn 935-939)

Reflection This poignant passage attributed to the Buddha strikingly depicts the human situation under the effects of craving—like fish desperate to breathe in water that is becoming ever shallower—and the conflict to which that gives rise. It is not that we are evil, only wounded by the thorn of desire and driven to hostility by the pain. If the thorn were removed from our hearts we would all become well and live together in harmony.       Daily Practice Look for the thorn in your own heart and pluck it out every time it pierces you. It is not a hard object lodged there since birth that can be removed once and for all. Rather it is a reflex triggered again and again when attachment or aversion or confusion is present. As such, it is a response you can unlearn and remove. Practice replacing craving with equanimity in small ways, gradually gaining the skill of removing the thorn. 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: Bone-Deep Faith

 

Bone-Deep Faith

I believe dharma is the best antidote to mental afflictions including greed, anger, and ignorance. Therefore, in this life and many lives to come, we should steadily follow the footsteps of Shakyamuni Buddha and grow bone-deep faith from the bottom of our hearts. Khenpo Sodargye, “Faith in Buddhism” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Intention: Cultivating Appreciative Joy

 

RIGHT INTENTION Cultivating Appreciative Joy Whatever you intend, whatever you plan, and whatever you have a tendency towards, that will become the basis upon 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)  Appreciative joy is the way to purity for one who has much discontent. (Vm 9.108)

Reflection Entangled as we are in a consumer economy that depends on the cultivation of desire and discontent, it can be hard to simply take joy in what we already have and feel joy in the good circumstances of others. Yet this can be practiced as an antidote to always feeling desire for one thing or another. Cultivate appreciative joy, or gladness for the happiness of others, at every opportunity and feel its cleansing and shielding effects. Daily Practice Discontent can be subtle and insidious. It can poison us slowly in small but steady doses, or erupt in episodes of jealously and resentment. By paying careful attention to the details of your experience, notice the next time you feel bad in some way about what others have or get. Now recognize that as a form of discontent and counter it with appreciative joy, deliberately taking pleasure in the good fortune of another person. 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 Daily Dharma: Understanding Change

 

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Understanding Change Understanding change is not freeing ourselves in a fixed way, but it may help us to see there are different types of change.  Martine Batchelor, “Impermanence as Liberation” CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO