Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures

 

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RIGHT LIVING Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures Sensual misconduct is unhealthy. Refraining from sensual misconduct is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning sensual misconduct, one abstains from misbehaving among sensual pleasures. (MN 41) One practices thus: “Others may engage in sensual misconduct, but I will abstain from sensual misconduct.” (MN 8) Odors cognizable by the nose are of two kinds: those to be cultivated and those not to be cultivated. Such odors as cause, in one who cultivates them, unhealthy states to increase and healthy states to diminish, such odors are not to be cultivated. But such odors as cause, in one who cultivates them, unhealthy states to diminish and healthy states to increase, such odors are to be cultivated. (MN 114)

Reflection The point here is not that some things smell good and some smell bad. Rather it is that some odors provoke unhealthy states in us and some incline us toward healthy states. As usual, the emphasis is on the mental and emotional response to sensory input and not on the quality of that data. The key is to avoid the tendency for the odor to give rise to craving, either craving for more pleasure or craving for pain to go away. Daily Practice Here you have another invitation to abide in your experience with equanimity, to be acutely aware of something, in this case an odor, without being driven by that information into responding with attraction or aversion. Smells are a good way to practice equanimity, since it is so easy to observe the mind being automatically hijacked by pleasure or displeasure into liking or not liking the smell. Tomorrow: Developing Unarisen Healthy States One week from today: Abstaining from Intoxication 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: Emptiness in Perspective

 

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Emptiness in Perspective Emptiness is not a denial of existence but a subtler perspective that all phenomena are impermanent and interrelated. Miranda Shaw, PhD, “Mothers of Liberation” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

The Five Opponent Powers By Vanessa Zuisei Goddard The guiding teacher of Ocean Mind Sangha explains the Buddhist factors that make up repentance and atonement.  Read more »

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Mental Action

 

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RIGHT ACTION Reflecting Upon Mental Action However the seed is planted, in that way the fruit is gathered. Good things come from doing good deeds, bad things come from doing bad deeds. (SN 11.10) What is the purpose of a mirror? For the purpose of reflection. So too mental action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61) When you have done an action with the mind, reflect upon that same mental action thus: “Has this action I have done with the mind led to both my own affliction and the affliction of another?” If, upon reflection, you know that it has, then tell someone you trust about it and undertake a commitment not to do it again. If you know it has not, then be content and feel happy about it. (MN 61)

Reflection Mental action is at least as important and influential as physical and verbal action. Every thought, memory, or image that goes through your mind constitutes a mental act, and it is based on these mental events that other actions are put into play. It is okay to reflect from time to time on what has gone through your mind and inquire whether on the whole it has been healthy or unhealthy. This is a form of mental housekeeping. Daily Practice Now and then, step out of merely thinking thoughts and reflect on them. A mirror creates an image of whatever passes before it and reveals what it looks like from another perspective. Learn to do that with your own mind by stepping back and gazing on your thoughts rather than “inhabiting” them, as you normally do. This is one way of understanding the practice of mindfulness—becoming aware of what is happening. Tomorrow: Abstaining from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures One week from today: Reflecting upon Social Action Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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Via Three Teachings by Joanna Macy Inbox The Tricycle Community

 

Browse our online courses » July 24, 2025 The Work of Our Time   On July 19, the world lost Joanna Macy, tireless scholar, Buddhist, ecologist, and activist. But her legacy and teachings endure, and will continue to inspire us all.  “Macy was widely respected for her roll-up-the-sleeves leadership in grassroots efforts to address the social and environmental crises of our day. Through books, talks, workshops, and trainings, she helped thousands overcome fear and apathy in the face of uncertainty and respond to societal upheaval with constructive, collaborative action. A longtime Buddhist practitioner, she brought a dharma-inflected sensibility to her life’s work, embodying a compassionate interpersonal ethic akin to her friend Thich Nhat Hanh’s interbeing,” writes Joan Duncan Oliver in an obituary for Macy. Famously linking Buddhism and general systems theory, Macy drew a pathway from intellectual understanding to embodied knowing. By focusing on mutual causality, she celebrated conversation and connection.  In that spirit, this week’s Three Teachings highlights three of the many conversations the renowned ecological and social activist had with Tricycle over the years. For more from Macy, see here. Forward today's teachings to a friend » The Dharma and Destiny of a Planet People With Joanna Macy At Tricycle’s 2022 Buddhism and Ecology Summit, Macy discussed our interdependence as “planet people,” and the strength we can derive from recognizing our shared and interconnected identities. Watch now » The Work of Our Time With Joanna Macy In April 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was escalating around the world, Macy spoke with Tricycle’s editor-in-chief, James Shaheen, about moving forward in times of great despair, and transforming grief into action. Listen now » Allegiance to Life With Joanna Macy In a 2012 interview with Tricycle publisher Sam Mowe, Macy discussed a widening sense of self, the tactic of “don’t-know” mind in relation to environmental action, the common source of pain and the power to heal.  Read more » Follow Us

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Via lgbtqnation // Gay educator & U.S. citizen detained for hours at border

 

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