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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Effort: Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States

 

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RIGHT EFFORT Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States Whatever a person frequently thinks about and ponders, that will become the inclination of their mind. If one frequently thinks about and ponders unhealthy states, one has abandoned healthy states to cultivate unhealthy states, and then one’s mind inclines to unhealthy states. (MN 19) Here a person rouses the will, makes an effort, stirs up energy, exerts the mind, and strives to abandon arisen unhealthy mental states. One abandons the arisen hindrance of doubt. (MN 141)

Reflection When a thought or emotion arises that is obviously unhelpful or unhealthy, it is natural to make some effort to get rid of it in order not to encourage the damage that such states can do to oneself and others. “Abandoning” involves a particular kind of effort, one that neither encourages nor rejects the unhealthy state. It is not a matter of repressing or pushing away unhealthy states but of letting them simply “flow through” the mind. Daily Practice While in some circumstances it can be healthy to doubt, the kind of doubt meant here is that which is debilitating and holds us back from practice and understanding. When doubt as an obstacle arises in your experience, simply let it pass without trying to hold on to it or push it away. You can “abandon” doubt by not letting it get a foothold in your mind but instead watching it arise and pass away, as it will naturally do if you let it.  Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Feeling and Abiding in the Second Jhāna One week from today: Developing Unarisen Healthy States 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: Practice off the Cushion

 

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Practice off the Cushion When my mother-in-law is in town, or when I get cut off in traffic—that’s when I need my practice. When the sink is full of dishes. What’s the point of sitting for an hour if I can’t forgive my partner for finishing all the almond milk? Christopher Rivas, “I Think the Clock Is Broken” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Letting the Ink Flow By Meher McArthur Japanese artist Yoshio Ikezaki’s new works embrace impermanence, intuition, and the energy of change.  Read more » Clarifying Dependent Origination With Bhante Henepola Gunaratana Watch an illuminating teaching from Sri Lankan Theravada monk Bhante Henepola Gunaratana on one of the Buddha’s most essential yet lesser-discussed insights into the nature of suffering and liberation. Watch now »

Via Daily Dharma: Awakening to Perfection

 

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Awakening to Perfection Take the attitude that there is nothing in your experience that you need to control or fix, and you’ll be available to experience the perfection that is always there, the truth that everything you need to awaken is with you right now. Kate Johnson, “Calming the Not Now Mind” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Wisdom Beyond Reason By Pema Düddul Learn how to differentiate between Zen koans, Chan gongans, and Dzogchen pith instructions.  Read more » Clarifying Dependent Origination With Bhante Henepola Gunaratana Watch an illuminating teaching from Sri Lankan Theravada monk Bhante Henepola Gunaratana on one of the Buddha’s most essential yet lesser-discussed insights into the nature of suffering and liberation. Watch now »

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) One is to practice thus: “Here, regarding things sensed by you, in the sensed there will be just the sensed." When, firmly mindful, one senses a sensation, one is not inflamed by lust for sensations; one experiences the sensation with a dispassionate mind and does not remain holding it tightly. (SN 35.95)

Reflection The phrase “what is seen, heard, and sensed” is a shorthand way of referring to the first five of the senses, so the word sensed refers to the sense modalities of smelling, tasting, and touching. It can be challenging to simply be with what is given in direct experience, since we are so easily swept beyond what is given to add layers of judgment and interpretation. Right living involves remaining grounded in experience. Daily Practice When you smell, taste, or touch an object of any kind at any moment, see if you can focus just on the sensation, not allowing thoughts to take over and run rampant. Such proliferation is a way of “taking what is not given,” insofar as you are going beyond the information provided by the senses in the immediate experience and turning it into something different. Practice simply being with what is present—no more, no less. 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 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 are doing an action with speech, reflect upon that same verbal action thus: “Does this action I am doing with speech lead to the affliction of another?” If, upon reflection, you know that it does, then stop doing it; if you know that it does not, then continue. (MN 61)

Reflection Much of the speech we utter just comes out, without a lot of forethought. This is the kind of speech that often gets us in trouble or causes harm to others. If we miss the opportunity to reflect on what we are going to say before we say it, we have another chance to notice what we are saying as we are saying it. Take advantage of this and pay attention to what you are saying. Listen to yourself as you speak to others. Daily Practice Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of what you are doing in the present moment, and this can apply to speech as well as bodily and mental action. By becoming aware of what you are saying as you are saying it, you are able to access the ability to reflect on whether it is causing harm to others or yourself. If you find you are saying anything hurtful, just stop. Find another way of saying what you have to say. 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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