Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures

 

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RIGHT LIVING Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures  Sensual misconduct is unhealthy. Refraining from sensual misconduct is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning sensual misconduct, one abstains from misbehaving among sensual pleasures. (MN 41) One practices thus: “Others may engage in sensual misconduct, but I will abstain from sensual misconduct.” (MN 8) Sensations cognizable by the body are of two kinds: things to be cultivated and things not to be cultivated. Such sensations as cause, in one who cultivates them, unhealthy states to increase and healthy states to diminish, such sensations are not to be cultivated. But such sensations as cause, in one who cultivates them, unhealthy states to diminish and healthy states to increase, such sensations are to be cultivated. (MN 114)

Reflection Sensual pleasures come in many forms, some obvious and overt, some more delicate and suggestive. All have the potential for leading us into misbehavior, which is defined as acting in ways that cause harm or are laced with greed, hatred, and delusion. The pleasures of physical sensations are particularly seductive, and it is conducive to overall health and well-being to be capable of abstaining from misconduct whenever possible.  Daily Practice We practice observing physical sensations in formal sitting meditation, when we can remove ourselves somewhat from everyday sights and sounds that can be so distracting. By paying close attention to very subtle sensations, such as those accompanying the inbreath and outbreath, we learn that all sensations are impermanent, thus giving us the ability to avoid misconduct when facing more challenging enticements later. Tomorrow: Developing Unarisen Healthy States One week from today: Abstaining from Intoxication 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: Honesty Is the Way Forward

 

Honesty Is the Way Forward

It’s not easy to take accountability, to see yourself in another, but we must all be honest about how we got here so that we can imagine a new way. Christopher Rivas, “I Am This Chaos” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

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Via White Crane Institute -- DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE (DOMA)

 

1996 - President Bill Clinton announced his signing of a bill outlawing homosexual marriages, DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE (DOMA) but said it should not be used as an excuse for discrimination, violence or intimidation against Gays and Lesbians.  No…of course not. Who would do such a thing? Thanks for nothing, Bill. Guess you had your fingers crossed for that “equal protection” part? In 2013 the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to strike down DOMA. The Obama administration, which had declined to defend the law, took steps to insure the Federal government, including the Internal Revenue Service, recognized marriages from states where LGBT marriage is legal. Under the Full Faith and Credit section of the Constitution. We shall overcome!

|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 |8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|

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Green Tara Mantra | Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha | 綠度母 (多羅菩薩) 心咒

Green Tara Mantra | Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha | Versão Lírica | Enfrenta...

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 -