Saturday, November 22, 2025

Via Daily Dharma: Dharma Doors

 

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Dharma Doors

You can either get lost in hurt or anger or treat it as a dharma door to help you get free.

Larry Rosenberg, “Relationship as a Mirror”


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The Bodhisattva’s Illness and the World’s Cure
By Mark Herrick
A Nichiren teacher invokes the Vimalakirti Sutra in a reflection on using one’s suffering as a means of liberation.
Read more »

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Intoxication

 

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RIGHT LIVING
Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Intoxication
Intoxication is unhealthy. Refraining from intoxication is healthy. (MN 9) What are the imperfections that defile the mind? Negligence is an imperfection that defiles the mind. Knowing that negligence is an imperfection that defiles the mind, a person abandons it. (MN 7) One practices thus: “Others may become negligent through intoxication, but I will abstain from the negligence of intoxication.” (MN 8)
Reflection
An intoxicated mind is a negligent mind, no matter what toxin it is under the influence of. Whether alcohol, drugs, misinformation, bigotry, conceit, illusion, or some other harmful influence, all act to distort the functioning of the mind and obscure its capacity to see clearly, thus contributing directly to suffering. Right living requires an honest assessment of and strong commitment to abstaining from negligence in all its many forms.
Daily Practice
Deliberately undertake the practice of non-intoxication by noticing when you are free of anything that causes negligence. This may not be sustainable for long, given the many things that can diminish our alertness and clarity. But at least be aware of the moments when your mind is alert and clear. Perhaps you can gradually extend those moments, and the skill of right living can grow.
Tomorrow: Maintaining Arisen Healthy States
One week from today: Abstaining from Harming Living Beings

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Friday, November 21, 2025

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Via White Crane Institute //

 

White Crane InstituteExploring Gay Wisdom & Culture since 1989
 
This Day in Gay History

November 20


Today's Gay Wisdom
2017 -

Do You Believe In God?

By Quentin Crisp

Well, now, the last time You-Know-Who was mentioned, I began by saying I wouldn't like to say anything that gave offense. And someone in the audience said, "Why stop now?" But this is still something that worries me, so if at any moment anyone finds anything I say offensive, they have only to jump up and down, make a scene, and we will stop.

I believe, like most people, not that of which logic can convince me but what my nature inclines me to believe. This is so of nearly everybody. I am unable to believe in a God susceptible to prayer as petition. It does not seem to me to be sufficiently humble to imagine that whatever force keeps the planets turning in the heavens is going to stop what it's doing to give me a bicycle with three speeds.

But if God is the universe that encloses the universe, or if God is the cell within the cell, or if God is the cause behind the cause, then this I accept absolutely. And if prayer is a way of aligning your body with the forces that flow through the universe, then prayer I accept. But there is a worrying aspect about the idea of God. Like witchcraft or the science of the zodiac or any of these other things, the burden is placed elsewhere. This is what I don't like.

You see, to me, you are the heroes of this hour. I do not think the earth was ever meant to be your home. I do not see the sky as a canopy held over your head by cherubs or see the earth as a carpet laid at your feet. You used to live an easy lying-down life in the sea. But your curiosity and your courage prompted you to lift your head out of the sea and gasp this fierce element in which we live. They are seated on Mars, with their little green arms folded, saying, "We can be reasonably certain there is no life on Earth because there the atmosphere is oxygen, which is so harsh that it corrupts metal." But you learned to breathe it. Furthermore, you crawled out of the sea, and you walked up and down the beach for centuries until your thighbones were thick enough to walk on land. It was a mistake, but you did it.

Once you have this view of your past — not that it was handed to you but that you did it — then your view of the future will change. This terror you have of the atom bomb will pass. Something will arise which will breathe radiation if you learned to breathe oxygen.

So you don't have to worry. Don't keep looking into the sky to see what is happening. Embrace the future. All you have to do about the future is what you did about the past. Rely on your curiosity and your courage and ride through the night.

"Do You Believe in God" is from The Wit and Wisdom of Quentin Crisp (1984), edited by Guy Kettelhack.


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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

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Via Daily Dharma: Framing the Past

 

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Framing the Past

We’re told that you can’t change what happened in the past, but you can change how you frame it. And we’re offered a range of different lenses: acceptance, forgiveness, gratitude.

Noelle Oxenhandler, “What Is the Shape of My Life?”


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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting Upon Social Action

 

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RIGHT ACTION
Reflecting Upon Social 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 [social action] is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61)
Reflection
The historical Buddha did not talk much about social action, and the field of social action is being artificially added here to the traditional list of the three kinds of action: bodily, verbal, and mental. Social action is an important concern in the modern world, and for decades engaged Buddhists have been addressing issues of how the traditional teachings can inform contemporary concerns for promoting greater social harmony.
Daily Practice
The quality of intention you put into social action is going to have an effect on the results, much like the planting of seeds affects the harvesting of fruit. It is important to change the inequities and injustices that abound in society but equally important to do so motivated by generosity, kindness, and wisdom rather than by greed, hatred, and delusion. Practice manifesting positive qualities in all the work you do toward social change. 
Tomorrow: Abstaining from Intoxication
One week from today: Reflecting upon Bodily Action

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#DhammaWheel

Questions?
 Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.
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Via Lgbtq Nation /// Gay Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is hiding evidence of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, senator says "I've demanded the Secretary Bessent produce the file for further investigation. He has refused repeatedly," wrote Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR).

 


Thursday, November 20, 2025

Via 🪷 SoulPod Gathering – Honoring Parents & Incarnation (Ep. 291)

 

Ram Dass SoulPod Satsang
Episode 291
Nov 26th at 3 pm ET | 12 pm PT time zone converter
Register here


“Now, I’ve done this, being with my father once a month now, for several years, because I said to myself, ‘Look, you have to honor your incarnation. And one of the aspects of your incarnation is that you are your father’s son.’ And even though, on some level, that seems kind of funny, it happens to be part of what it’s about. Just like I have to honor the fact that I am an American. I have to pay my taxes. I have to do a lot of stuff. And this is one of the things, I must honor it. And then I have to figure out—what does it mean to honor it? What does it mean to honor it? What does it mean to honor parents?” – Ram Dass

Dear SoulPod Family,

As we move into the Thanksgiving holiday, we invite you to come together in sacred community under the light of Ram Dass’ teachings. Join us on Wednesday, November 26 at 3 pm ET | 12 pm PT for a special SoulPod Gathering to explore Episode 291: Honoring Parents & Honoring Our Incarnation.

This episode spans five decades of Ram Dass’ life—from the late 1960s through the 2010s—offering intimate stories about his mother and father, and deep reflections on what it means to honor the people and conditions of our incarnation.

It’s a beautiful and grounding conversation to sit with right before being with family, offering perspective, compassion, and a softer heart.

✨ Why Join?
Gathering together allows Ram Dass’ teachings to become lived experience. In community, we get to:
🌸 Rest in loving awareness
🌸 Reflect on family, lineage, and the dharma of incarnation
🌸 Share stories and receive support before the holiday
🌸 Keep these teachings alive through honest, heartfelt conversation

🪷 Episode Themes Include:
• The tender complexity of parent–child relationships
• Allowing others to open the door to deeper conversations
• Moments of intimacy born from not trying to “be someone”
• Honoring our incarnation as part of the spiritual path
• Becoming somebody before becoming nobody
• Seeing our parents as high souls, beyond the roles we’ve worn

📅 When: Wednesday, November 26 | 3 pm ET | 12 pm PT
🎙️ Episode: Here & Now – 291: Honoring Parents & Incarnation
🪷 Host: Jackie Dobrinska
📍 Where: Register Here
(Free Event | Donations Encouraged)

Come as you are—with your heart, your history, your tenderness, and your curiosity. Together, we’ll meet the moment with presence and compassion, just as Ram Dass invited us to.

With love and light,
Jackie
for the Ram Dass SoulPod Satsang

==

P.S. If you’re not yet part of the general fellowship on Inner Academy, you can sign up here to receive event invites and community updates directly in your inbox.
 

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