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 wish to do an action with speech, reflect upon that same verbal action thus: “Is this action I wish to do with speech an unhealthy verbal action with painful consequences and painful results?” If, upon reflection, you know that it is, then do not do it; if you know that it is not, then proceed. (MN 61)

Reflection What we say has its origin in intention, the set of our mind as we speak. It is intention that initiates action of body, speech, and mind. Intention can be conscious or unconscious. Sometimes we know exactly what we want to say and say it, but much of the time words just pour out, apparently on their own. We are encouraged here to be consciously aware of our speech and to actively monitor its effect on others. Daily Practice The practice here is not so much to monitor the content of your speech as to attend carefully to your attitude of heart and mind as you are about to say something. You may say something accurately, but if it comes with a tinge of judgment or dismissal or disrespect, then it is likely to have a harmful effect. Speak what is true, and do so with an attitude of kindness or equanimity, guarding against aversion and hate. 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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Via Daily Dharma: Connecting with the Universal

 

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Connecting with the Universal From a nondual perspective, our heart is the nexus that connects the personal with the universal. It is the hub that connects our personal “child-consciousness” with the universal “mother-consciousness.” Radhule Weininger, “The Cave of the Heart” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Karma and the Energy of Will By Joanna Macy In an excerpt from her landmark work, World as Lover, World as Self, the late ecodharma leader presents a powerful teaching on actively shaping one’s karma. Read more »

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) Disputes occur when a person adheres to their own views, holds onto them tenaciously, and relinquishes them with difficulty. Such a person dwells disrespectful and undeferential toward others, causing harm and unhappiness for many. If you see any such root of a dispute either in yourself or externally, you should strive to abandon it. And if you do not see any such root of dispute either in yourself or externally, you should practice in such a way that it does not erupt in the future. (MN 104)

Reflection If you look around you will easily see that so many of the disputes taking place in the world are rooted in the human tendency to become attached to views and opinions. It is natural for people to disagree, but it is neither necessary nor inevitable for them to argue about it. Views are learned ways of organizing our understanding of the world, and when held lightly they are beneficial, but they can easily become a source of trouble.   Daily Practice Notice when you see people attached to their views, when they are holding on to them tenaciously, and when they relinquish them with difficulty. Next, notice when you do these things yourself. Try looking at things from different points of view, if only to train your own mind to become more agile and avoid getting locked in to particular perspectives. Notice how many things can be seen from many different points of view. 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: Look at Our Own Minds

 

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Look at Our Own Minds We don’t need a psychic to tell us what our future experience will be—we need only look at our own minds. If we have a good heart and helpful intentions toward others, we will continually find happiness. Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, “Putting Down the Arrow” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Traveling the Bodhisattva’s World By Kosho Uchiyama Roshi Soto Zen monk Kosho Uchiyama Roshi recounts episodes from the life of Chinese patriarch Bodhidharma in a teaching on faith and compassion. Read more »

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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, that will become the basis upon 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 far enemy of compassion is cruelty. (Vm 9.99)

Reflection In a moment of compassion, cruelty is impossible, and when cruelty is present there is no room for compassion. As opposite emotions, these two always compete for a spot in the mind. Whichever is raised into conscious awareness from its unconscious latency will have the greatest impact on the mind stream that follows. When we are able to cultivate compassion over cruelty, we can train our minds toward healthy and happy states. Daily Practice Put aside some time each day to think of the suffering of others, perhaps just before or just after meditating, and allow yourself to feel compassion in your heart rather than pity or despair. Also, any time you catch yourself feeling mean-spirited or hurtful, immediately take note of that and see if you can replace the incipient cruelty with its antidote, authentic compassion. In these ways you guide your mind in a noble direction. 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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