Monday, September 30, 2024

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right View: Understanding the Noble Truth of Suffering

 

RIGHT VIEW
Understanding the Noble Truth of Suffering
When people have met with suffering and become victims of suffering, they come to me and ask me about the noble truth of suffering. Being asked, I explain to them the noble truth of suffering. (MN 77) What is suffering? (MN 9)

In short, the five aggregates affected by clinging are suffering. (MN 9)
Reflection
Some forms of suffering are glaringly obvious, such as a pounding toothache or the deep grief that comes from losing a loved one. Others can be subtler and more pervasive rather than episodic. Such is the case with the suffering that comes from clinging to anything whatsoever. Even things that feel overtly gratifying can on another level be sowing the seeds of disappointment. Clinging always involves some sort of suffering.

Daily Practice
Clinging is the word used to refer to our response to desire. When we want something, we reach for it or hold on tightly so it does not slip away. When we don’t want something, we push it away and try to avoid or destroy it. Notice how this attitude of attachment and aversion can manifest, often subtly, in all aspects of experience. Learn to become consciously aware of the unconscious reflex to grasp, and also to let go of it.

Tomorrow: Cultivating Lovingkindness
One week from today: Understanding the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering 


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: Embrace Contradiction

 


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

Please make a tax-deductible gift here »
Embrace Contradiction

Contradictions are uncomfortable. They require us to think and feel for ourselves and not just have an unexamined relationship with things. That’s what makes them rich.

Justin von Bujdoss, “Embracing Contradiction among New York’s Forgotten Dead”


CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Forward today's wisdom to a friend »
Practice: Exploring Emptiness
By Cortland Dahl
Looking uncertainty in the eye to find what lies on the other side of our fear.
Read more »

Via White Crane Institute // S.M. STIRLING

 

S.M. Stirling
1953 -

S.M. STIRLING, Canadian-born author, born; an American science fiction and fantasy author. Stirling was born in Metz, France to an English mother and Canadian father. He has lived in several countries and currently resides in the US in New Mexico with his wife Jan.

His novels are generally conflict-driven and often describe military situations and militaristic cultures. In addition to his books' military, adventure & exploration focus, he often describes societies with cultural values significantly different from modern western views, especially with a more liberal attitude to sexuality (Lesbian characters often figure), in a sympathetic or at least neutral way. One of his recurring topics is the influence of the culture on an individual's outlook and values, with a particular emphasis on the idea that most people and societies consider themselves (mostly) moral.

|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|

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Via GBF San Francisco


 

Recent Talks on GBF San Francisco

 


Via Daily Dharma: Unlimited Treasures Within

 


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

Please make a tax-deductible gift here »
Unlimited Treasures Within

When we begin to appreciate, we can make a lot of great discoveries from within ourselves. There are unlimited treasures within ourselves.

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, “The Antidote to Self-Criticism”


CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Forward today's wisdom to a friend »
Full-Moon Mind
By Shinge Roko Sherry Chayat Roshi
A Zen master offers a teaching on acknowledging our feelings without being controlled by them. 
Read more »

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Mindfulness and Concentration: Establishing Mindfulness of Mental Objects and Abiding in the Fourth Jhāna

 


TRICYCLE      COURSE CATALOG      SUPPORT      DONATE

RIGHT MINDFULNESS
Establishing Mindfulness of Mental Objects
A person goes to the forest or to the root of a tree or to an empty place and sits down. Having crossed the legs, one sets the body erect. One establishes the presence of mindfulness. (MN 10) One is aware: “Ardent, fully aware, mindful, I am content.” (SN 47.10)
 
When the awakening factor of concentration is internally present, one is aware: “Concentration is present for me.” When concentration is not present, one is aware: “Concentration is not present for me.” When the arising of unarisen concentration occurs, one is aware of that. And when the development and fulfillment of the arisen awakening factor of concentration occurs, one is aware of that. . . . One is just aware, just mindful: “There is a mental object.” And one abides not clinging to anything in the world. (MN 10)
Reflection
The practice of insight meditation also involves the practice of concentration. Insight and concentration are like the two wings of a bird, each supporting the function of the other. Concentration is a mental factor that allows the mind to focus on a single object without being carried away by the stream of consciousness into telling and retelling stories. Insight is understanding the nature of what you are focusing on. 

Daily Practice
As with all mental factors, sometimes concentration is present and sometimes it is not. Sometimes your mind is focused, and other times it is flitting from one object to another, apparently out of control. With practice you can notice these fluctuations of mind. You can watch the ability to focus come and go, always simply being aware of what is happening. The idea is not to control the mind but to calm it and let it settle.


RIGHT CONCENTRATION
Approaching and Abiding in the Fourth Phase of Absorption (4th Jhāna)
With the abandoning of pleasure and pain, and with the previous disappearance of joy and grief, one enters upon and abides in the fourth phase of absorption, which has neither-pain-nor-pleasure and purity of mindfulness as a result of equanimity. The concentrated mind is thus purified, bright, unblemished, rid of imperfection, malleable, wieldy, steady, and attained to imperturbability. (MN 4)

Tomorrow: Understanding the Noble Truth of Suffering 
One week from today: Establishing Mindfulness of Body and Abiding in the First Jhāna

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 Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation \\ Words of Wisdom - September 29, 2024 💌


"Individual differences are not better or worse, merely different. If we forgo judging, we come to understand that each of us has a unique predicament that requires a unique journey. While we share the overall journey, everyone’s particular experiences are his or her own. No set of experiences is a prerequisite for enlightenment. People have become enlightened in all ways. Just be what you are. "

- Ram Dass -

 

Via FB


 

Via FB


 

Via FB


 

Via FB


 

Via FB


 

Via FB


 

Via FB