Via Daily Dharma: Zen Is an Expression of the Now

 

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Zen Is an Expression of the Now

The meaning of Zen is nothing other than the expression of the now: reality unfolding. Not an imaginary reality—the one we hold in our mind. Real reality. As it is, right now. The meaning of Zen is never something else. Just this. Right here.  Matthias Esho Birk, “Sitting Long and Getting Tired” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Via Three Teachings: Dharma Friends

 

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October 24, 2024 The Importance of Spiritual Friendship   Anyone unfamiliar with Buddhism would be forgiven for thinking of it as a solitary pursuit or practice. Images of silent retreats or a single meditator on a cushion come to mind. But sangha, or community, is one of the three jewels of Buddhism, and friendship is key. The concept of spiritual friends, known as kalyanamitra (P. kalyana mitta), is central to the Buddhist path, as much a support for practice as an outlook to cultivate. Individual friends and sanghas provide necessary encouragement for sticking with practice and following the precepts, or guidelines for an ethical life. They can provide guidance, relief, or inspiration. Spiritual friendship is also important as an orientation. An often-referenced quote by the Buddha is “friendship is not half of the holy life, but all of it” (Samyutta Nikaya, 45.2). As American Tibetan Buddhist nun Venerable Thubten Chodron points out, the Buddha was speaking about himself here, explaining that he is a good friend to all.  This week’s Three Teachings celebrates the importance of dharma friendships and the underrated impact of a friendly disposition, to one another and ourselves.

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Making Our Way Together By Mindy Newman and Kaia Fischer In this retelling of a story in the Karmashataka Sutra about a boy named Virupa, psychotherapist and meditation teacher Mindy Newman and translator Kaia Fischer highlight how “being known” is the mark of true friendship. In this story, the Buddha bestows this very gift to the central character. Newman and Fischer also lay out practical advice for being a good dharma friend.

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Admirable Friendship With Kate Johnson In a four-part Dharma Talk, meditation teacher Kate Johnson, author of the book Radical Friendship, discusses friendship as a central process in our lives and in our practice—one that “restores intimacy, loyalty, and generosity to our relationships with all beings, including ourselves.”

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The Whole of Spiritual Life With Venerable Thubten Chodron and Venerable Ayya Tathaaloka  In an interview on the vital importance of friendship, the nuns Ven. Thubten Chodron and Ven. Ayya Tathaaloka reflect on their own experience and encourage lay practitioners and monastics alike to seek out friends. These relationships, they agree, are an opportunity for transformation.

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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) A person is content with any lodging places they may get, speaks in praise of such contentment, and does not try to obtain these things in improper or unsuitable ways. Not getting these things, one does not worry, and getting them, one makes use of them without being greedy, obsessed, or infatuated, observing such potential dangers and wisely being aware of how to escape them. (AN 4.28)

Reflection Just as you can practice contentment by appreciating whatever you eat or wear, so too can you take this approach to where and how you live. For monks and nuns, who in the early days wandered from place to place, this meant adjusting to a different lodging situation almost every night. The practice of feeling content wherever you are can be extended to laypeople as well. Contentment is a mental state that can be cultivated. Daily Practice It is not difficult to find the flaws in any situation. However, this leads to discontent, which is a state of mind conducive to suffering. Practice instead finding the benefits of things in your life, such as your living situation. It could always be worse. There is always something in any situation that can be noticed, raised in awareness, and appreciated. Practice doing this whenever you can; contentment contributes to your well-being. Tomorrow: Abstaining from Intoxication One week from today: Reflecting upon Bodily 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: Breath as an Anchor

 

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Breath as an Anchor

The breath changes and you change. Nothing stays the same, yet there is constancy. The breath reminds us that we are here and alive: Let it be your anchor to the present moment. Elana Rosenbaum, “Guided Meditation: Awareness of Breathing” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Frivolous Speech

 

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RIGHT SPEECH Refraining from Frivolous Speech Frivolous speech is unhealthy. Refraining from frivolous speech is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning frivolous speech, one refrains from frivolous speech. One speaks at the right time, speaks only what is fact, and speaks about what is good. One speaks what is worthy of being overheard, words that are reasonable, moderate, and beneficial. (DN 1) One practices thus: “Others may speak frivolously, but I shall abstain from frivolous speech.” (MN 8) A person should examine things in such a way that while examining them their consciousness is not stuck internally, and not clinging, they do not become agitated. Then there is no origination of suffering. (MN 138)

Reflection Suffering arises when consciousness gets stuck internally. That is to say, the mind gets attached to the things flowing through it and cannot let go of one thing to allow the next thing to arise. This can happen a lot when we are communicating. How often do you appear to be listening to someone when in fact you are rehearsing what you are going to say next? Right speech requires unsticking the mind from its internal clinging. Daily Practice Encourage your mind to work like Teflon, encountering everything but not getting attached or stuck to the objects it becomes aware of. This requires listening to a person speak, for example, without grabbing hold of a particular word or phrase but remaining open to everything that is said. Stay focused on what is happening in the present moment and respond appropriately, without projecting your own internal attachments. Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Social Action One week from today: Refraining from False Speech Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation // Words of Wisdom - October 23, 2024 💌

 

"What is common to all forms is not another form. What is common to all forms, is choiceless awareness, it is pure love, it is flow and harmony with the universe. It is the absence of clinging. How does it all come together? If you follow all of the forms to the apex, you are pushed beyond form and into the moment. The passing show of forms, being created and existing then disappearing into formlessness. "

- Ram Dass
 
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Via The Raft: Learn From Our Direct Experience

 

Translate or view in browser Inspiration from the International Plum Village Community October 2024 "Each morning is an opportunity. Each step is an opportunity. Each sitting session is an opportunity. Do we know how to take the opportunity when it presents itself ?" Thich Nhat Hanh, In Love and Trust