Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given

 

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RIGHT LIVING Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Taking What is Not Given Taking what is not given is unhealthy. Refraining from taking what is not given is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning the taking of what is not given, one abstains from taking what is not given; one does not take by way of theft the wealth and property of others. (MN 41) One practices thus: “Others may take what is not given, but I will abstain from taking what is not given.” (MN 8) On tasting a flavor with the tongue, one does not grasp at its signs and features. Since if one left the tongue faculty unguarded, unwholesome states of covetousness and grief might intrude, one practices the way of its restraint, one guards the tongue faculty, one undertakes the restraint of the tongue faculty. (MN 51)

Reflection The precept against stealing, phrased here as taking what is not given, protects us from ethical misconduct and from unhealthy mind states such as greed and covetousness. On a more subtle level, every time we go beyond the given data of sense experience we are in a sense taking more than is given, which can be seen as a form of stealing. It can be challenging to be with what is without mental proliferation, but it is worthwhile. Daily Practice See if you can train yourself to be aware of the raw texture of sensory input without looking beyond what is given in experience and trying to take more. The Buddha often urged his followers, “Train yourself thus: In the tasting there will only be what is tasted,” nothing added or taken away. This injunction is also in the mindfulness instruction: “Be just aware, just mindful, that there is flavor, without clinging to anything in the world.” Tomorrow: Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States One week from today: Abstaining from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures 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: Wisdom Must Come from Within

 

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Wisdom Must Come from Within Wisdom isnʼt something that others can give to us. While they can teach us, it remains words and external knowledge. But when it comes to the crunch, we have to make wisdom arise ourselves. Ajahn Suchart Abhijāto, “The Forest Container of the Rains Retreat” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

The Power of Recollecting the Buddha By Scott Tusa An essay and practice on embodiment. Read more »

Via Tricycle \\ Three Teachings: An Antidote to Jealousy

 

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August 15, 2024 Empathetic Joy in the Face of Jealousy   Jealousy, or envy, is a familiar feeling for most of us, even though we might not admit to it so easily. Described as “ubiquitous and invisible” in the Fall 2015 issue of Tricycle magazine, jealousy is so common that it would appear to be something readily discussed, but because it is often tinged with shame, it usually goes unspoken.  Meditation teacher, psychotherapist, and hypnotherapist Mindy Newman explores the guilt or shame often associated with jealousy in the latest issue of Tricycle. She finds that the antidote to this ubiquitous but invisible emotion is empathetic joy, one of the four sublime states, also known as the brahmaviharas or four immeasurables. To embody empathetic joy, she says, we must start by recognizing and owning up to jealousy in ourselves. While it may be painful, this first step alone creates space from the afflictive emotion, and the necessary foundation to move away from it. Eventually, shame can drop away and the roots of jealousy may become clear. As we rejoice in the happiness and achievements of others, their gains become ours, too. This week’s Three Teachings presents practices for cultivating empathetic joy and appreciation as an antidote to jealousy.

The Green-Eyed Monster By Mindy Newman Meditation teacher, psychotherapist, and hypnotherapist Mindy Newman offers a step-by-step guide to finding authentic empathetic joy, including practical and meaningful advice, like focusing on your feelings instead of the object of your jealousy. She also shares a meditation practice for going deeper.

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Experiencing Boundless Joyfulness With Scott Tusa Meditation teacher Scott Tusa shares a practice for cultivating boundless joyfulness, which he describes as a great antidote to jealousy, in the fourth video of his four-part Dharma Talk on opening your heart

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Someone Is Jealous of You By Reverend Patti Nakai Former minister of the Buddhist Temple of Chicago Reverend Patti Nakai reflects on the power of appreciating our own lives, including the inevitable suffering, and what we already have, in the face of jealousy.

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Verbal Action

 

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RIGHT ACTION Reflecting Upon Verbal 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 verbal action is to be done with repeated reflection: (MN 61) When you wish to do an action with speech, reflect upon that same verbal action thus: “Is this action I wish to do with speech an unhealthy verbal 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 What we say has its origin in intention, the set of our mind as we speak. It is intention that initiates action of body, speech, and mind. Intention can be conscious or unconscious. Sometimes we know exactly what we want to say and say it, but much of the time words just pour out, apparently on their own. We are encouraged here to be consciously aware of our speech and to actively monitor its effect on others. Daily Practice The practice here is not so much to monitor the content of your speech as to attend carefully to your attitude of heart and mind as you are about to say something. You may say something accurately, but if it comes with a tinge of judgment or dismissal or disrespect, then it is likely to have a harmful effect. Speak what is true, and do so with an attitude of kindness or equanimity, guarding against aversion and hate. Tomorrow: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given One week from today: Reflecting upon Mental 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: There Is Just This

 

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There Is Just This There is nothing to abandon or practice, No meditation or post-meditation. Just this. Miranda Shaw, “The Natural Abiding” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

‘Don’t Miss Your Life’ Ann Tashi Slater in conversation with Sylvia Boorstein Ann Tashi Slater speaks with Spirit Rock cofounder Sylvia Boorstein about losing those you love, the bardos of old age, and the daily practice of dwelling in the moment. Read more » I Leave Home Directed by Sunghwan Kim August’s film is available now! “I Leave Home,” directed by Sunghwan Kim is a heartwarming drama that follows a man yearning to become a Buddhist monk and the obstacles he is met with along the way. Watch now »