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Via Daily Dharma: Truth Is in Our Experiences

 

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Truth Is in Our Experiences Truth isn’t found by merely connecting logical dots or filling gaps with preferred beliefs in the immediate layer of analysis. Instead, it resides in comprehending the formation of our widest spectrum of experiences, acknowledging that nothing exists independently and that everything remains within the realm of conditions. Primoz Korelc Hiriko, “Relinquishing Preference through ‘The Silent Sages of Old’ ” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

What Does Stream-Entry Mean? By Doug Smith Take a closer look at the first irreversible step on the path to enlightenment. Read more »

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 smelling an odor with the nose, one does not grasp at its signs and features. Since if one left the nose faculty unguarded, unwholesome states of covetousness and grief might intrude, one practices the way of its restraint, one guards the nose faculty, and undertakes the restraint of the nose faculty. (MN 51)

Reflection As we move systematically through the six sense spheres, we come to that most overlooked of sensory capabilities, discerning odors. The senses are simply giving us information, and whether we grasp after this information or simply let it be and take what is given is a choice we make in reacting to the information. Moving beyond the raw smell into attraction or aversion is a way of taking what is not given. Daily Practice Can you smell something with a lovely scent and simply notice that pleasure arises with the experience of smelling? And can you smell something foul or disgusting and simply be aware that displeasure or even pain arises in the smelling of it? And further, can you hold both experiences equally, with equanimity, rather than automatically being drawn to one and repulsed by the other? Practice simply being with what is. 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 Tricycle \\ Three Teachings on Embodiment in a Digital World

 

Browse our online courses » July 17, 2025 Knowing Happens Through the Body   Talk of overcoming the body is not new, whether it’s rooted in religious ideas of bodily impurity, promises of psychedelics or virtual reality, or resistance to pain or suffering. But the current frenzy over AI and how life-like our digital assistants are seems to further privilege and propel the prospects of disembodyment over the alternative: the Buddhist value of embodiment, or connecting with the body as a vehicle for practice.   The Buddha taught that craving occurs through the six sense doors—ears, eyes, nose, tongue, body, and mind—and to diminish craving, we must mindfully pay attention to sensation. The body—sensation, the breath, or the delicate and aging body as a whole—is also a direct path to understanding impermanence. Even when we zoom out and consider our daily activities vis-a-vis the digital alternatives, we still see a contrast to Buddhist values—to the physical tasks and connections that are so essential to many Buddhist traditions.  This week’s Three Teachings reminds us of the wisdom of the body and the truth that it’s only through connecting with the body that we can go beyond it. Forward today's teachings to a friend » On Tuesday, July 22 at 2 p.m. ET, join mindfulness teacher Shinzen Young in a discussion on connection and right speech with the help of AI in an increasingly divided world. Can AI lay the groundwork for more productive and compassionate discourse? What are the potential benefits of integrating AI into practice and everyday life for Buddhists? How can we remain embodied in an increasingly disembodied world? Explore these questions and more with author, longtime meditation teacher, and former Shingon Buddhist monk Shinzen Young in conversation with Tricycle’s executive editor, Phil Ryan. This event is free for Tricycle Premium subscribers and $10 for general admission. If you haven't already, upgrade your subscription for free access.   Sign up today » This Very Body By Sensei Dhara Kowal The co-director of Rochester Zen Center describes the value of releasing from our thoughts and connecting with the physical body in practice and outside of the zendo. She reminds us that this is a two-way street: “Bringing the world into our sitting is to not separate ourselves from life as it is, as we experience it through our eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body-mind.” Read more » The Body Is Already Mindful By Willa Blythe Baker The founding teacher and spiritual co-directorof Boston’s Natural Dharma Fellowship offers a teaching and practice for following the body’s lead, because while the mind is distracted, the body is not. “Put another way, the model is not one of taming but trust.” Read more » The Wisdom of the Body With Kathy Cherry Brooklyn-based meditation teacher, coach, and founding member of DharmaPunx NYC Kathy Cherry guides us on connecting with our inner resilience through somatic practice.

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by Brittney Melton July 17, 2025 Good morning. Even the healthiest of brains can decline with age. Here are some things you can do to keep it in top shape. Check out the news we’re following today: The Senate approved legislation early this morning to rescind $9 billion in federal funding for NPR, PBS, their member stations and foreign aid programs. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., noted that it has been over 30 years since a rescission package was passed. The House is expected to vote on the rescission package later today. If it passes, it will be a win for President Trump and DOGE’s effort to slash overall government spending.  J. Scott Applewhite/AP  Democrats have called it a dark day, stating that the bill will harm Americans who rely on public broadcasting and damage the U.S.'s reputation as a global leader, NPR’s Deirdre Walsh tells Up First. The overall package was slimmed down from $9.4 billion by removing a proposed $400 million cut to PEPFAR, a global public health program created to combat HIV and AIDS that both Republicans and Democrats argue has been successful. Alaska's Lisa Murkowski, one of two Republican senators who voted against the rescission, cited an emergency alert from an Alaska public radio station Wednesday afternoon as an example of what is at stake if stations lose federal money.  Note: Under NPR's protocol for reporting on itself, no corporate official or news executive reviewed this story before it was posted publicly.

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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 have done an action with speech, reflect upon that same verbal action thus: “Has this action I have done with speech led to both my own affliction and the affliction of another?” If, upon reflection, you know that it has, then tell someone you trust about it and undertake a commitment not to do it again. If you know it has not, then be content and feel happy about it. (MN 61)

Reflection We can use our powers of memory and observation to learn and grow along the path toward greater clarity and self-understanding. We want to do good deeds so that good things will come from that, and one way to do this is to reflect on the impact of our speech on others. If we notice ourselves saying things that cause affliction in ourselves or others, it is beneficial to admit this and learn from it what not to say in the future. Daily Practice As with your physical actions, pay attention to the effects of your verbal actions on other people. Just after you have spoken, notice if what you have said might have hurt someone’s feelings or if it has been insensitive or disrespectful in some unintended way. These days more than ever, we cannot always trust our deeply conditioned habit patterns of speech and need to actively reflect on the effects of our verbal actions. 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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