Daily Dharma: Taming a Wild Animal

 

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Taming a Wild Animal Ancient texts compare the process of concentration to the taming of a wild animal. It is a difficult endeavor, full of ups and downs, but one that yields reliable results if practiced diligently and with patience. Mark Epstein, “Meditation’s Secret Ingredient” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

All Heavens Bite By Buddhadasa Bhikkhu This teaching from the late Thai reformist monk Buddhadasa Bhikkhu (1906–1993) explores the sufferings inherent in even the highest of heavens. Read more »

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You get to be at home with change and uncertainty. You get to be at home with not knowing how it all comes out. You make a plan knowing full well that it may be irrelevant a moment later, and you're at peace with that. I find that when I'm at a choice point, the best thing to do is to be quiet and empty and go back to square one. But I try to stay at the choice point as long as I can, because that's as interesting a place as any other place, to stay with not knowing what to do. But if you listen, it all becomes apparent in time. Patience is good—the tolerance for not knowing what's what is quite an art form.

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Awareness Is Not Experience One of the powerful aspects of awareness arises from the fact that the awareness of an experience is not the experience itself. Larry Yang, “The Bare Experience of Craving” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

The Third and a Half Noble Truth By Thanissaro Bhikkhu Theravada monk Thanissaro Bhikkhu provides a timeless teaching on searching for happiness in areas tethered to suffering. Read more »

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Harsh Speech

 

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RIGHT SPEECH Refraining from Harsh Speech Harsh speech is unhealthy. Refraining from harsh speech is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning harsh speech, one refrains from harsh speech. One speaks words that are gentle, pleasing to the ear, and affectionate, words that go to the heart, are courteous, and are agreeable to many. (DN 1) One practices thus: “Others may speak harshly, but I shall abstain from harsh speech.” (MN 8) When one speaks unhurriedly, one’s body does not grow tired and one’s mind does not become excited, one’s voice is not strained and one’s throat does not become hoarse. The speech of one who speaks unhurriedly is distinct and easy to understand. (MN 139)

Reflection The previous text on right speech emphasized the drawbacks of speaking hurriedly, and this one reverses the focus and speaks to the benefits of taking your time when you have something to say. This can seem out of touch with the pace of modern life, but does that mean we should ignore this advice to fit in with the times? Might it be better to be guided by these wise words and learn to slow down how we communicate? Daily Practice How much of the stress in your experience comes from speaking too fast or trying to follow the speech of others who are speaking at a mile a minute? Notice, by paying attention, when this happens and make a conscious effort to slow down the pace of your own speech. This can have the effect of slowing down the people you talk with as well. You don’t have to be swept along by the speaking habits of others.  Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Mental Action One week from today: Refraining from Frivolous Speech Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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From Hookups to Heart Circles: Building Intentional Community for Gay Men

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Extending Tenderness As you extend tenderness to others, you may also begin to recognize how it brings out tenderness in them. Life begins to look more like a mother gazing at her infant child with deep adoration. Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, “Nurturing the Intelligent Heart” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

American Zen Retold By David Guy This review of Ben Van Overmeire's American Koan: Imagining Zen and Self in Autobiographical Literature explores how koans and autobiographical narratives reveal the evolution of Zen practice in America. Read more »

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Intention: Cultivating Appreciative Joy

 

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RIGHT INTENTION Cultivating Appreciative Joy 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 appreciative joy, for when you develop meditation on appreciative joy, any discontent will be abandoned. (MN 62)  Appreciative joy fails when it produces amusement. (Vm 9.95)

Reflection The emotion indicated by the term appreciative joy is a deep one and is to be distinguished from mere amusement. Noticing the success of others is not a momentary lift; you are allowing yourself to be profoundly moved by the beneficial aspects of life that do not center on yourself. Once we open to all the ways others have good things happen to them, this becomes a boundless source of our own good feelings. Daily Practice Cultivate appreciative joy at every opportunity. Get in the habit of noticing the good things that happen around you, not as they relate to your own gain but as they affect and benefit others. Being happy about other people being happy is a practice in itself. It is good to loosen the habit of always relating what you see to yourself and to develop an appreciation for the perspective of others. Feel the joy you experience from this. Tomorrow: Refraining from Harsh Speech One week from today: Cultivating Equanimity Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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