Exploring Gay Wisdom & Culture since 1989

Noteworthy 2000 - CAKES DA KILLA (aka Rashard Bradshaw) is an American rap artist who fuses genres of hip hop, house, and electronic dance music. He came to prominence in the "queer explosion" of hip hop music stemming from New York in 2012 and is among the credited performers for the current trend of acceptance of LGBT people in the rap community. Bradshaw is currently based in Atlanta and his first full-length studio album Svengali was released in October  2022. We are unable to ascertain a precise date of birth, so he is included here. Rashard Bradshaw started rapping in high school for fun before considering it as a career. He first began writing tracks to instrumentals he found on the internet and posting them to Facebook. In 2011, his homemade demos came to the attention of an executive producer named Stixx, who invited Bradshaw to appear on the mixtape Downtown Mayhem Vol. 1 alongside Rip The Ruler. Bradshaw then went on to release his own debut mixtape Easy Bake Oven, Vol. 1 through Stixx' Downtown Mayhem label. As an emerging artist in the hip hop genre—along with fellow LGBT artists such as Le1f, Mykki Blanco, and House of Ladosha—Bradshaw gained popularity through media interest in LGBT figures and themes in hip hop and rap, having been written about in a Pitchfork article about said "movement".  'I came outin the third grade. This is just me being me. People make it sound like it's controversial and revolutionary, and that's weird to me, because in hip-hop you have people glorifying negativity, like killing people and not taking care of your kids -- that should be scandalous. That should be what we talk about. And openly gay rapper shouldn't be breaking news. -- Bradshaw on being gay in hip hop.

|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|

 

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Effort: Developing Unarisen Healthy States

 

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RIGHT EFFORT Developing Unarisen Healthy States Whatever a person frequently thinks about and ponders, that will become the inclination of their mind. If one frequently thinks about and ponders healthy states, one has abandoned unhealthy states to cultivate healthy states, and then one’s mind inclines to healthy states. (MN 19) Here a person rouses the will, makes an effort, stirs up energy, exerts the mind, and strives to develop the arising of unarisen healthy mental states. One develops the unarisen tranquility and concentration awakening factors. (MN 141)

Reflection Sometimes healthy states of mind come up on their own, apparently spontaneously. Other times we have to make them happen. The word for “develop” in Pali (bhāvana) literally means “cause to be” or “make become” and so is very descriptive of the process. The more you experience healthy states, the more they develop, and the more the mind inclines toward what is helpful and skillful. Daily Practice Practice calling to mind thoughts that are likely to bring on healthy mental states. These might be thoughts of a loved one that evoke friendliness and lovingkindness. Or thinking about those in distress might bring about feelings of compassion and wanting to help. Among the best positive states to develop are peacefulness, or tranquility, and focusing the mind with concentration. The more you develop these states, the easier it gets. Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Mind and Abiding in the Third Jhāna One week from today: Maintaining Arisen Healthy States 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: Beyond Dualism

 

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Beyond Dualism According to the Buddha, our own sense of reason or logic is not to be trusted. The simple reason for this is that absolute reality, our ultimate nature, is beyond the dualism of the thinking mind. Pema Düddul, “Wisdom Beyond Reason” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

The Way of the Rails By Susan Moon A Soto Zen teacher and writer captures how life is like a train ride across the country. Read more » Women of Tibet: A Quiet Revolution Directed by Rosemary Rawcliffe On March 12, 1959, 15,000 unarmed Tibetan women took to the streets of Lhasa to oppose the violent occupation of their country by the Communist Chinese army. For the first time on film, three generations of Tibetan women and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama tell the story of one of the great movements of nonviolent resistance in modern history. Watch now »

Via The Tricycle Community \\ Three Teachings on Karma

 

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April 3, 2025 Understanding Our Agency   Karma, the principle of cause and effect, predates Buddhism. But as the engine that propels samsara—the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth—karma is a critical insight into the Buddhist worldview. Causes and conditions do not preclude agency, however. In fact, just the opposite. By investigating our causes and conditions, our intentions and actions, we can create wholesome ones that will diminish future suffering. Apprehending this agency can provide relief and also motivation. As Joseph Goldstein writes: The great inspiration of the Buddha’s teaching is that we must each take ultimate responsibility for the quality of our lives. Given certain volitional actions, certain results will follow. When we understand that our lives are the unfolding of karmic law that we are the heirs to our own deeds, then there grows in us a deepening sense of responsibility for how we live, the choices we make, and the actions we undertake. Recognizing karma can also help us cultivate compassion, as we perceive the causes and conditions that may have led to suffering or unwise choices. This week’s Three Teachings reviews the crucial principle of cause and effect, how to recognize it, and why, when fully understood, it’s so fulfilling.  Forward today's teachings to a friend » Reflections on the Law of Karma By Joseph Goldstein In an overview of what karma is, and isn’t, meditation teacher Joseph Goldstein highlights the fulfillment available from looking closely at our intentions through mindfulness and investigation. Read more » Composting Our Karma By Barbara Rhodes “Rather than feeling hindered by our karma, we can attend to it,” writes Zen master Barbara Rhodes. “As we learn our lessons, we become more and more aware. We learn to openly question, and we learn to listen.” Read more » Don’t Get Stuck in Neutral By Tulku Thondup We must work at transforming the mind and loosening the grasp of attachment, wrote Tulku Thondup, recognized as the reincarnation of Khenpo Konchog Dronme. “We shouldn’t fritter away our lives by engaging only in neutral karmas. Instead, we should exert ourselves in virtuous karmas such as prayer and service.” Read more » Follow Us

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