Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Intention: Cultivating Lovingkindness

 

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RIGHT INTENTION Cultivating Lovingkindness 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 lovingkindness, for when you develop meditation on lovingkindness, all ill will will be abandoned. (MN 62) Suppose there were a pond with lovely smooth banks, filled with pure water that was clear and cool. A person scorched and exhausted by hot weather, weary, parched, and thirsty would come upon the pond and quench their thirst and their hot-weather fever. In just the same way a person encounters the teachings of the Buddha and develops lovingkindness, and thereby gains internal peace. (MN 40)

Reflection Intention has to do with the volitional and emotional states of mind that condition experience and influence the quality of action. Some mental states are helpful and healthy, others are harmful and unhealthy. One of the most beneficial is lovingkindness, which can be developed by generating friendliness and care toward living beings. Compared with the harshness of so many of our other experiences, the practice of lovingkindness feels refreshing and leads to peace.  Daily Practice Friendliness and lovingkindness can be practiced at any time. Simply direct the mind to the thought of a particular person or group of people and allow the emotional tone of caring for their well-being to arise in your heart or mind. By thinking of the person steadily, with the help of supporting phrases and images, you can sustain this kindly quality of mind over time. It feels refreshing, like a cool pond on a hot day. Try it. Tomorrow: Refraining from False Speech One week from today: Cultivating Compassion 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: Overcoming Negative Emotions

 

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Overcoming Negative Emotions We can overcome our negative emotions not by rejecting them—trying to push them away—but by skillfully using them. Phakchok Rinpoche, “Creating a Confident Mind” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Signs of the Unseen By Vanessa Zuisei Goddard  What if what we see is not all there is? Read more »

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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) Birth is suffering. And what is birth? The birth of beings in the various order of beings, their coming to birth, precipitation in a womb, generation, manifestation of the aggregates, obtaining the bases for contact—this is called birth. (MN 9)

Reflection The path to the end of suffering begins with right view because it is important to orient oneself in the right direction before taking any steps. The emphasis on suffering is not meant to make the broad negative statement "Life is suffering" but is to direct us to begin with our own lived experience.  Human beings suffer, and the texture of this suffering is to be examined before taking on the task of understanding its cause and seeking its solution. Daily Practice The process of birth is difficult for both the mother and the baby. All beginnings involve some pain, and Buddhist practice involves turning toward pain as opposed to our natural tendency to avoid or ignore it. Turn toward the various points of suffering arising in your own moment-to-moment experience and simply be aware of them—without resistance and without fear. This is just what is happening right now.  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.

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Via Daily Dharma: Your Most Profound Teachers

 

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Your Most Profound Teachers When you become uncomfortable or frightened, remember that difficult emotions are your most profound teachers. Ruth King, “Soothing the Hot Coals of Rage” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

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