Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Frivolous Speech

 

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RIGHT SPEECH Refraining from Frivolous Speech Frivolous speech is unhealthy. Refraining from frivolous speech is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning frivolous speech, one refrains from frivolous speech. One speaks at the right time, speaks only what is fact, and speaks about what is good. One speaks what is worthy of being overheard, words that are reasonable, moderate, and beneficial. (DN 1) One practices thus: “Others may speak frivolously, but I shall abstain from frivolous speech.” (MN 8) An authentic person is one who, even when asked, does not reveal the faults of others—and still less does not do so when not asked. When asked, however, and obliged to reply to questions, one speaks of other’s faults hesitatingly and not in detail. (AN 4.73)

Reflection Refraining from focusing on the faults of others is not meant to hide the truth but is a way to practice non-harming and non-violence in your communications. Refrain from unnecessary speech that is driven by ill will, jealousy, or resentment. This only brings out and reinforces your own unhealthy tendencies, and it often causes harm. By abstaining from avoidable critical pronouncements, you develop better speech habits. Daily Practice Take a break from criticizing people today. Notice when the impulse to do so comes up and choose instead to refrain from saying what is on your mind. See what it feels like to be able to monitor your speech, understand when it is unhelpful, and hold back from letting it loose. If you do this often, you will be retraining your habits of speech and will gradually develop new, healthier patterns of communication. Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Social Action One week from today: Refraining from False Speech Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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It is when you discover that the rational mind isn’t going to be enough, when you see that the assumptions you’ve been working with are not valid, that there is the possibility of change. Albert Einstein said, “A new type of thinking is essential if mankind is to survive and move toward higher levels.” And again, “Man must be able to develop a higher form of thought if he is ever going to be able to use his energy with wisdom.”

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Intention: Cultivating Equanimity

 

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RIGHT INTENTION Cultivating Equanimity Whatever you intend, whatever you plan, and whatever you have a tendency toward, that will become the basis upon which your mind is established. (SN 12.40) Develop meditation on equanimity, for when you develop meditation on equanimity, all aversion is abandoned. (MN 62)  Equanimity fails when it produces the ordinary indifference of the uninformed. (Vm 9.96) Having thought a mental object with the mind, one is neither glad-minded nor sad-minded but abides with equanimity, mindful and fully aware. (AN 6.1)

Reflection Equanimity is often confounded with indifference or detachment, but this is far from accurate. These two are mild forms of aversion in which a person chooses to push their interest away from an object or deliberately remove awareness from attending to what is present. Equanimity is the opposite of these, engaging the object with heightened awareness but without being pulled by attraction or pushed away by aversion.  Daily Practice See if you can cultivate the attitude of equanimity, so important to the practice of mindfulness, as a refined state of mind. Equanimity is not a lack of interest but a state of heightened curiosity. It does not mean that you don’t care about something but that your caring about it is not driven by likes and dislikes. As you regard the thoughts flowing through your mind, abide with equanimity, mindful and fully aware. Tomorrow: Refraining from Frivolous Speech One week from today: Cultivating Lovingkindness 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: Realizing Interconnectedness

 

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Realizing Interconnectedness When we realize that being fully alive is to be fully alive with and through others, the distinction between selfishness and altruism falls away. Christian Dillo, “Ecological Compassion” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Leaning into Change and Trusting the World Ann Tashi Slater in conversation with Katherine May Ann Tashi Slater talks with best-selling author Katherine May about the gift of “winter” periods and the transformative power of attention. Read more »

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

 

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RIGHT VIEW Understanding the Noble Truth of the Way to the Cessation of Suffering And what is the way leading to the cessation of suffering? It is just this noble eightfold path: right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right living, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. (MN 9) One perfects their ethical behavior by abandoning false speech. (DN 2)

Reflection The traditional path toward the cessation of suffering works on many fronts simultaneously, integrating healthy modes of living with practices for mental development and the slow but steady growth of understanding. In this passage the importance of telling the truth is emphasized as a crucial form of ethical behavior. Developing the wisdom of right view is built on a foundation of truthfulness. Daily Practice Practice telling the truth. Refrain from stretching it, bending it, obscuring it, avoiding it, shading it, and all the other ways we have learned to handle the truth that are other than entirely straightforward. You may notice that this is actually quite difficult, since we regularly speak falsely in little ways. Try being absolutely scrupulous about saying what is accurate and not intended to mislead anyone in any way. Tomorrow: Cultivating Equanimity One week from today: Understanding the Noble Truth 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: No Absolute Truth

 

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No Absolute Truth There’s nothing wrong with conceptualization per se; but when we take our opinions about any event to be some kind of absolute truth and fail to see that they are opinions, then we suffer. Charlotte Joko Beck, “To Totally Be Under” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Working on Laziness By Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Our level of accomplishment is only as great as our level of diligence.  Read more »