Via Alison Marshal \\ Cosmic Conversations Blog

 

Cosmic Conversations Blog Tracing Baha'u'llah's voice across the architecture of thought.

Infusing Civilization from Within: A Mystical Prelude to Social Order Author: Alison Marshall Categories: Blog, Lepain Study, Philosophy

Via The Tricycle Community \\\ Three Teachings on Place

 

Browse our online courses » November 6, 2025  Intimacy with Your Surroundings   When the late dharma teacher Dr. Larry Ward spoke at Tricycle’s Buddhism and Ecology summit last spring, he asked the audience to get intimate with their immediate surroundings. He described the contours and details of his own backyard and what he was learning from watching and connecting with this space—with the ants and the woodpeckers. “The more you can develop an intimacy—meaning a nondualistic relationship to the natural world that you are and that is around you—the more at ease you can be as an earthling; the more wise you can be as a son or daughter or being of the earth,” Ward said.  Your setting, whether it’s outside in the backyard or inside in the zendo, can be a powerful means to awaken a sense of both awe and comfort if you consider it with mindful attention.  This week’s Three Teachings reminds us how sacred our physical surroundings are if we allow them to be, and what we can learn from taking it all in. Forward today's teachings to a friend » The Circle of Your Influence By Larry Ward A late dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition shows us how practicing with our immediate surroundings—observing, questioning, appreciating—can help us realize our interdependence. Read more » The Refuge of Place By Francis Weller An unexpected encounter in the redwoods leads a writer to reevaluate his assumptions about the divide between himself and the outside world. Read more » The Places We Go to Be Here By Vanessa Zuisei Goddard A teacher, writer, and former Zen monastic considers what makes a space sacred. Read more » Follow Us

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Via Daily Dharma: Sound Choices

 

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Sound Choices When we make choices with sound thought, our life becomes abundant. Our heart opens and we start to notice the suffering of others; wisdom and equanimity are cultivated. Rev. Grace Song, “Zen All Day” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Returning to the Center By Tatsudo Nicole Baden Roshi Learn how stillness can reshape our experience of the world.  Read more »

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)

Reflection We take action every moment, either with the body or with speech or with the mind. Verbal action can have big consequences and needs to be wielded carefully. Every word uttered is a seed planted that will yield fruit whether we are aware of it or not. Speech as a form of action may not be a familiar concept, but when we look at it this way we may be inclined to be more attentive to it and more careful of how we speak.  Daily Practice Reflect on the impact of your speech not only by noticing how others react to your words but also paying attention to how your words affect you. Hear what you are saying as you say it. Notice whether you are planting good seeds or bad. There are times for silent meditation, but the habit of awareness developed in silence can and should be applied to verbal action, where it becomes a mindfulness practice in its own right.  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 LGBTQ Nation \\ Dick Cheney’s complex legacy: The pro-gay, pro-torture vice president The former vice president died yesterday at the age of 84.

 

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Via Daily Dharma: The Promise of Zen

 

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The Promise of Zen Zen does not promise that we will live longer. It offers something far more profound . . . that we might live fully, and die fully, without clinging, without regret, and with an open, awakened heart. Reverend Bondō Kōjitsu Williams, “The Edge of Impermanence” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

The Refuge of Place By Francis Weller An unexpected encounter in the redwoods leads a writer to reevaluate his assumptions about the divide between himself and the outside world.  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)

Reflection There is so much malicious speech in the world these days, speech that is intended to divide and promote discord. It is valuable to recognize what it is, to be aware of it when it occurs, and to undertake a commitment to refrain from speaking maliciously yourself. Let’s not contribute to the problem but instead work actively in the other direction, not only refraining from wrong speech but also promoting right speech. Daily Practice Even though others may speak maliciously, make it an ongoing practice to be a person who does not speak with malice. When the tendency comes up to return like for like in your speech, catch that with mindfulness and decide on a different course of action. Commit to being someone who speaks to unite those who are divided and utters only words that foster concord. Practice being a promoter of friendships with all you say. 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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