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 says, "All those disengaged from the pursuit of the enjoyment of sensual pleasures have entered upon the right way," one thus extols some people. But when one says instead, "The disengagement from the pursuit of the enjoyment of sensual pleasures is a state without suffering, and it is the right way," then one is not extolling anyone but is simply stating the truth. (MN 139)

Reflection One of the common patterns of speech that causes difficulty is the tendency to extol some people and disparage others. We judge and label people as good or bad, right or wrong, based on what they do and then use speech to overpraise some people and overly blame others. This leads to a form of harsh speech that is directed at individuals, who will naturally take it personally and respond by retaliating against the blaming.  Daily Practice Practice actively framing everything you see people around you doing as impersonal actions of body, speech, and mind rather than as qualities of the people as individuals. It is not that people are kind or cruel but their actions may be kind or cruel. Praising the person may elevate their sense of self and contribute to such things as inflated pride, while praising their actions will encourage further good action.  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: Transforming Attachment

 

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Transforming Attachment In Vajrayana the most important technique is transformation. Instead of cutting something like attachment out, you transform it. Instead of the difficult, disciplined way of pushing something down, suppressing it, cutting it out—instead, you work with that, play with that, and then try to transform it. Gelek Rinpoche, “A Lama for All Seasons” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Finding the Words An Interview with Joseph Goldstein by Amy Gross In his seventy-fifth year, a surprising thing happened to meditation teacher Joseph Goldstein: He began writing poetry. Read more »

Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation \\ Words of Wisdom - February 7, 2024 💌

 

The melodrama of fanaticism is a form of spiritual materialism; you make spiritual life into something else to acquire, like a new car or television set. Just do your practices; don't make a big deal out of them. The less you dramatize, the fewer obstacles you create. Romanticism on the spiritual path is just another attachment that will have to go sooner or later.

-Ram Dass -

Via GBF: The Diamond Approach: Knowing Ourselves from the Inside Out" with Trip Weil

The latest dharma talk from Trip Weil is now available for listening.  

The Diamond Approach incorporates some aspects of psychology to look at what causes our suffering, obscures our innate qualities, and stands in the way of personal freedom.

In this talk, Trip Weil examines a key aspect he sees that the Diamond Approach shares with Buddhism: one calls it the super-ego, and the other speaks of the demon Mara.

He explores how there are two kinds of suffering: that which leads to more suffering and that which can guide us to the end of suffering.

He points out that the super-ego or any part of us that says we don't deserve freedom and can't be free is a trap. Our true work is to realize who and what we really are. In this sense, awakening isn't a reward, it's a result of our practice and our encounters with suffering and doubt.
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Listen to the episode on your favorite podcast player or the GBF website: 

https://gaybuddhist.org/podcast/the-diamond-approach-knowing-ourselves-from-the-inside-out-trip-weil/

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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 on 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)  The function of appreciative joy is being unenvious. (Vm 9.95)

Reflection The reason for working so consistently with intention and for developing healthy intentions like appreciative joy is to clear the mind of toxic states like envy and discontent. When you are able to feel good about the good fortune of others, you cannot at the same time feel bad about it. Just as suffering is the trigger of compassion, seeing people do well and be healthy gains access to joy. Daily Practice Look around you at any time of day and notice things that are going well for yourself and for other people. We are often habituated to seeing the fault in things. Try deliberately to go in the other direction and be aware of positive situations and events. Then allow yourself to feel gently joyful about them. There is a lot that is going well in our world, and it is a worthy practice to take notice of these things and allow them to bring joy. 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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Via Daily Dharma: Finding Your Voice

 

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Finding Your Voice Meditation allows us to see how the voices we have internalized from our parents, political leaders, and religious teachers inform the way we speak and think, and thereby it opens up a space in which we’re not just vocalizing what our community believes and says. Stephen Batchelor, “Finding the Voice, Performing the Self” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

The High of New Beginnings—and the Joy of What Comes Next By Jessica Angima A teaching for regaining your beginner’s mind when you need it most. Read more »

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right View: The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering

 

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RIGHT VIEW Understanding the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering What is the cessation of suffering? It is the remainderless fading away and ceasing, the giving up, relinquishing, letting go, and rejecting of craving. (MN 9) When one knows and perceives odors as they actually are, then one is not attached to odors. When one abides unattached, one is not infatuated, and one’s craving is abandoned. One’s bodily and mental troubles are abandoned, and one experiences bodily and mental well-being. (MN 149)

Reflection Suffering arises and falls away moment by moment, just like everything else. Suffering is not an abstract characteristic of the world but is manifest in thousands of little ways every day. Any time you feel afflicted by suffering, you can inquire into what it is that you want to be other than it is and then relinquish your hold on that episode of wanting. Desires and discontents come up but need not rule us. Just let go of them, one by one. Daily Practice As we move through each of the senses in order, today we work with odors and the sense of smell. Next time you smell something offensive, and you catch yourself automatically recoiling from it, try instead to bring an attitude of equanimity to the experience. Notice that you can disengage from aversion to the smell if you choose to do so and then continue to smell the odor without attachment or aversion. Tomorrow: Cultivating Appreciative Joy One week from today: Understanding the Noble Truth of the Way to the Cessation of Suffering Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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