Via Daily Dharma: Growing Over Grasping

 

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Growing Over Grasping Some people have the idea that practicing Zen or any religion is becoming God or Buddha, or even “becoming a good person.” But if you are grasping to become “enlightened,” it’s like putting icing over a mold of cow manure. Instead, we need to let our cow manure become compost. Barbara Rhodes, “Composting Our Karma” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Diversity Plaza Directed by Kesang Tseten Explore the vibrant lives of up to 75,000 Himalayans in Jackson Heights, Queens—the most linguistically diverse zip code in the U.S. Our latest Film Club pick directed by Kesang Tseten reveals how these communities honor their traditions while embracing new lives in America. Watch now »

ia 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) A person reflects thus: "If someone were to take from me what I have not given, that is, to commit theft, that would not be pleasing and agreeable to me. Now if I were to take from another what he has not given, that is, to commit theft, that would not be pleasing and agreeable to the other either. How can I inflict on another what is displeasing and disagreeable to me?" Having reflected thus, one abstains from taking what is not given, exhorts others to abstain from it, and speaks in praise of abstinence from it. (SN 55.7)

Reflection Another way of stating the Golden Rule, this text is simply pointing out the natural argument against misappropriating the property of others. It is not just that it is wrong and invites retribution but in an important way it is actually unhealthy. That is to say, theft damages the quality of our own character, thus contributing to our own suffering, as well as causing suffering in others. Daily Practice This precept against taking what is not given is a rich ground for practice, because it raises the bar for what is to be considered theft. How many things do we take that may not have been freely given? More than you might think. Look into this matter today and see if you notice how many things are coerced from others or taken without returning adequate compensation, and how often you assume you are entitled to something others have overlooked. 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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Zager & Evans - In the Year 2525

Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation // Words of Wisdom - January 1, 2025 💠

 

"There was a major shift that occurred in the '60′s, the shift from what you call absolute reality, thinking that what you saw and what your thinking mind thought it understood was only one kind of reality. And there were other kinds of reality. William James, of course, had said that many years before, if you remember his quote, “Our normal waking consciousness is but one special type of consciousness, whilst all about it, parted from it by the filmiest of screens, there lie potential forms of consciousness entirely different. We might spend our entire life without knowing of their existence, but apply the requisite stimulus and there they are in their completeness”. It’s interesting that William James said that when he was a professor at Harvard. I was thrown out of William James Hall for doing what he said."

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Malicious Speech

 

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RIGHT SPEECH Refraining from Malicious Speech Malicious speech is unhealthy. Refraining from malicious speech is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning malicious speech, one refrains from malicious speech. One does not repeat there what one has heard here to the detriment of these, or repeat here what he has heard there to the detriment of those. One unites those who are divided, is a promoter of friendships, and speaks words that promote concord. (DN 1) One practices thus: "Others may speak maliciously, but I shall abstain from malicious speech."(MN 8) When others address you, their speech may be true or untrue. . . .  One is to train thus: "My mind will be unaffected, and I shall utter no bad words; I shall abide with compassion for their welfare, with a mind of lovingkindness, without inner hate." (MN 21)

Reflection These days, it seems we are surrounded by malicious speech. So much speech is intended to divide, to insult, and to vent anger and frustration. We do not need to participate in this, however alluring it may seem at times. We can choose to work in the other direction, speaking in ways that unite people and promote concord. As you become sensitized to this, its healthy benefits become increasingly apparent. Daily Practice It is hard to remain equanimous when you know people are lying to you. "But still they do what’s hard to do," the Buddha said in the face of this. To resist the reflex to strike back and instead respond with kindness and compassion is a difficult practice. Yet it can be done. Regardless of the facts on the table, the quality of our own response in any situation is the measure of our wisdom and understanding.  Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Verbal Action One week from today: Refraining from Harsh 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: Each Breath a Goodbye

 

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Each Breath a Goodbye You part from things with every in-and-out breath. You can’t base the meaning of your life on these things—and you don’t have to. You can simply tell yourself that this is the way things are all over the world. The world offers nothing lasting. Phra Ajaan Fuang Jotiko, “Realization” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Deconstructing Habits By Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Using nonjudgmental observation to dismantle harmful habits—and cultivate positive ones in their place Read more »

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Intention: Cultivating Compassion

 

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RIGHT INTENTION Cultivating Compassion Whatever you intend, whatever you plan, and whatever you have a tendency toward will become the basis on which your mind is established. (SN 12.40) Develop meditation on compassion, for when you develop meditation on compassion, any cruelty will be abandoned. (MN 62)  The characteristic of compassion is promoting the allaying of suffering. (Vm 9.93)

Reflection Compassion is not an innate disposition but a skill to be learned and cultivated. Our capacity for compassion is innate, but whether or not it is expressed has to do with how we train ourselves to behave in the world. Cruelty is as natural as compassion, something demonstrated often in human history. But we, right now, can choose to care about others and to alleviate their suffering. The choosing to care is itself the practice. Daily Practice The value of compassion for others is obvious. They are comforted, made to feel safe, and are often given what they need to feel better. The value of compassion for oneself is subtler. It helps mold your personality and character in a healthy way and blocks any chance of its opposite, cruelty, manifesting. Practice caring when you see people or other beings suffering. Then notice how you are changed by this caring. Tomorrow: Refraining from Malicious Speech One week from today: Cultivating Appreciative Joy Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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