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 wish to do an action with the mind, reflect upon that same mental action thus: “Is this action I wish to do with the mind an unhealthy bodily action with painful consequences and painful results?” If, upon reflection, you know that it is, then do not do it; if you know that it is not, then proceed. (MN 61)

Reflection We are familiar with the expression Think before you act. Here it is suggested, Think before you think! It is not as hard as it sounds. The idea is to pay attention to intention, that function of the mind that decides what to do next or points the actions of the mind in a particular direction. Is it really a good idea to go back over what you should have said in that argument last week? Probably not. Choose a different path. Daily Practice By getting in touch with the workings of your intentions, you gain access to the rudder of the ship, so to speak. Learn to notice, not only what you are thinking but also what you are planning. Much of the time we have no access to this, as things are moving so fast or we are so reactive that we don’t feel we are in control of ourselves. But there is an executive function in the mind, and we can learn to notice what it has in mind to do. 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 Daily Dharma: Working on Mindfulness

 

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Working on Mindfulness Sitting, standing, walking, and lying down; eating, drinking, working, speaking, and thinking, we should always have all-round mindfulness of the present. Ajaan Mun, “Strategies for Clear Insight” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Relationship as a Mirror By Larry Rosenberg The founder of Cambridge Insight Meditation Center explores the reflective lessons we learn from intimacy.  Read more » Traveling in Bardo A Book Launch with Ann Tashi Slater Join us for a Q&A and book-signing on September 16 in person at the Tibet House to celebrate the publication of Ann Tashi Slater’s Traveling in Bardo: The Art of Living in an Impermanent World. RSVP » Follow Us Forward today's wisdom to a friend »

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) The monks at Kosambi had taken to quarreling and brawling and were deep in disputes, stabbing each other with verbal daggers. They could neither convince one another nor be convinced by others; they could neither persuade one another nor be persuaded by others. The Buddha then said to them: “What can you possibly know, what can you see, that you take to acting like this? It will lead to your harm and suffering for a long time.” (MN 48)

Reflection This is such an incisive question: What can you possibly know or see to make you act like this? We think it must be something compelling for someone to turn against their own best interests and harm themselves. What higher purpose justifies this? These brawling and quarreling people were not only stabbing each other with verbal arrows, but by doing so they were also inflicting a lot of harm upon themselves. Daily Practice The next time you are engaged in an argument with someone, stop and look inward, examining your state of mind and body. Notice the physical tension and the harsh emotional attitude of the moment. Now ask yourself: Does the issue under dispute really require inflicting damage on myself? Can you feel the harm and suffering involved in such agitated and aversive emotional states? Let it go; you’ll be better off. 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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Via Daily Dharma: Pure and Simple

 

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Pure and Simple Our inherent nature is pure. All we have to do is rediscover who we really are, and that’s what the path is for. It’s very simple. Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, “Necessary Doubt” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

A Dialogical Self By Stephen Batchelor Buddhism shares many practices and ideas with Ancient Greek philosophy. Read more »

Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation| \\ Words of Wisdom - August 20, 2025 💠

 

The root of the problem lies in the way we deal with change. Most of us feel so insecure that we want to create a structure around us that makes us feel safe, and then we don't want it to change. Any change increases our uncertainty and our confusion and our inadequacy. And it frightens us. Think of how bizarre that is, because you are a part of nature. Look out there and show me something that isn't changing. The nature of things is that they change, including us. Do you see how you're in a losing strategy if you pit yourself against change? See, it's a losing game.

Via Lama Rod Owens

 

“In my healing I am also mourning… It is my acknowledgment that there is suffering. It is my honoring of my discomfort as well as the discomfort of everyone else in the world.” – Lama Rod