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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Mental Action

 

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RIGHT ACTION Reflecting Upon Mental 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 mental action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61) When you wish to do an action with the mind, reflect upon that same mental action thus: “Would this action I wish to do with the mind lead to both my own affliction and the affliction of another?” If, upon reflection, you know that it would, then do not do it; if you know that it would not, then proceed. (MN 61)

Reflection It may seem odd to us that we could be aware of our intention to think thoughts before actually doing so. Thinking before you speak is one thing, but thinking before you think? And yet in the Buddhist model of mind and body, actions of the mind are not so different from actions of body and speech. We can learn to be aware of them before, during, and after undertaking all forms of action.  Daily Practice Identify some of your thought patterns that are familiar to you: the stories you tell yourself over and over, the episodes from the past you ruminate over. Now make the decision not to go there yet again. Some of this introspection can be helpful, but if it becomes repetitive and involuntary it can “lead to your own affliction.” There are ways to take more control over your mental action, and not ruminating is one of those ways. Tomorrow: Abstaining from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures One week from today: Reflecting upon Social Action Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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Daily Dharma: Taming a Wild Animal

 

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Taming a Wild Animal Ancient texts compare the process of concentration to the taming of a wild animal. It is a difficult endeavor, full of ups and downs, but one that yields reliable results if practiced diligently and with patience. Mark Epstein, “Meditation’s Secret Ingredient” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

All Heavens Bite By Buddhadasa Bhikkhu This teaching from the late Thai reformist monk Buddhadasa Bhikkhu (1906–1993) explores the sufferings inherent in even the highest of heavens. Read more »

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You get to be at home with change and uncertainty. You get to be at home with not knowing how it all comes out. You make a plan knowing full well that it may be irrelevant a moment later, and you're at peace with that. I find that when I'm at a choice point, the best thing to do is to be quiet and empty and go back to square one. But I try to stay at the choice point as long as I can, because that's as interesting a place as any other place, to stay with not knowing what to do. But if you listen, it all becomes apparent in time. Patience is good—the tolerance for not knowing what's what is quite an art form.

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Via Daily Dharma: Awareness Is Not Experience

 

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Awareness Is Not Experience One of the powerful aspects of awareness arises from the fact that the awareness of an experience is not the experience itself. Larry Yang, “The Bare Experience of Craving” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

The Third and a Half Noble Truth By Thanissaro Bhikkhu Theravada monk Thanissaro Bhikkhu provides a timeless teaching on searching for happiness in areas tethered to suffering. Read more »

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 speaks unhurriedly, one’s body does not grow tired and one’s mind does not become excited, one’s voice is not strained and one’s throat does not become hoarse. The speech of one who speaks unhurriedly is distinct and easy to understand. (MN 139)

Reflection The previous text on right speech emphasized the drawbacks of speaking hurriedly, and this one reverses the focus and speaks to the benefits of taking your time when you have something to say. This can seem out of touch with the pace of modern life, but does that mean we should ignore this advice to fit in with the times? Might it be better to be guided by these wise words and learn to slow down how we communicate? Daily Practice How much of the stress in your experience comes from speaking too fast or trying to follow the speech of others who are speaking at a mile a minute? Notice, by paying attention, when this happens and make a conscious effort to slow down the pace of your own speech. This can have the effect of slowing down the people you talk with as well. You don’t have to be swept along by the speaking habits of others.  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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From Hookups to Heart Circles: Building Intentional Community for Gay Men

Via Daily Dharma: Extending Tenderness

 

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Extending Tenderness As you extend tenderness to others, you may also begin to recognize how it brings out tenderness in them. Life begins to look more like a mother gazing at her infant child with deep adoration. Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, “Nurturing the Intelligent Heart” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

American Zen Retold By David Guy This review of Ben Van Overmeire's American Koan: Imagining Zen and Self in Autobiographical Literature explores how koans and autobiographical narratives reveal the evolution of Zen practice in America. Read more »