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 are doing an action with the mind, reflect upon that same mental action thus: “Does this action I am doing with the mind 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 Being mindful allows us to gain access to the flow of internal mental states that might otherwise be overlooked. Insight develops as you are able to reflect upon the quality of your thoughts and understand their impact on yourself and others. Becoming aware of mental states is one thing; understanding their quality—their level of healthiness or unhealthiness—is another. This is the practice described here. Daily Practice Whether or not your mental and emotional states cause affliction to yourself and others is something about which you can develop an intuitive sense. It is not about examining the question intellectually and conceptually but about accessing an inner appreciation for what is helpful and what is harmful. If your attitude feels off in some way, abandon it and turn to something else. Use your own wisdom to guide yourself along the path. 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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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 says, “All those disengaged from the pursuit of self-mortification have entered upon the right way,” one thus extols some. But when one says instead, “The disengagement from the pursuit of self-mortification is a state without suffering, and it is the right way,” then one is not extolling anyone but simply stating the truth. (MN 139)

Reflection The principle we reviewed earlier about criticizing the negative actions of people rather than criticizing them as people also applies in the positive direction. It is better to extol, to praise, positive words and deeds than to extol the person. While the negative comments lead to protective defensive behaviors, the positive comments could result in an increase of pride and conceit. Daily Practice Praising someone for being a great person boosts their sense of self, and while this may be a good thing in the case of the developing egos of youngsters, it is not something encouraged for Buddhist practitioners. By all means extol the value and benefit of benevolent words and deeds, for example, but practice the habit of not feeding people’s view of self, lest you contribute to their self-aggrandizement. Help people be humble. 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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Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation \\\ Words of Wisdom - April 1, 2026 🌻

 

"These thoughts of fear are thoughts of the ego and will not help you on the spiritual path, they weigh you down. When you journey to the place of the witness, you see that these thoughts are not helping and then you embrace them with love, because the witness is in the soul and the soul is loving awareness."   Source: Ram Dass Here & Now - Ep. 117 – Being Mindful Now

Via Daily Dharma: Know Your Own Mind

 

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Know Your Own Mind If you discover how you oppress yourself, your uncontrolled mind will disappear. Knowing your own mind is the solution to all your problems. Lama Thubten Yeshe, “Your Mind Is Your Religion” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Renunciation Without a Category By Amnuaypond Kidpromma, PhD Ajarn Tritrinn, a transgender Thai renunciant, is carving a new path for monasticism beyond gender norms. Read more »

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Via LGBTQ Nation --- These 23 films about conversion therapy reveal its deeply emotional & long-reaching effects Movies about conversion therapy provide startling insights into its victims, its practitioners, and its harmful psycho-social effects.

 

Via Daily Dharma: The Intricacy of Karma

 

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The Intricacy of Karma Karmic causality does not follow a straightforward arithmetic logic, as is often assumed. It is far more intricate and largely beyond ordinary understanding. Jin Y. Park, “Karma as Active Resistance” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Intention: Cultivating Appreciative Joy

 

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RIGHT INTENTION Cultivating Appreciative Joy Whatever you intend, whatever you plan, and whatever you have a tendency toward, that will become the basis on which your mind is established. (SN 12.40) Develop meditation on appreciative joy, for when you develop meditation on appreciative joy, any discontent will be abandoned. (MN 62)  The proximate cause of appreciative joy is seeing the success of other beings. (Vm 9.95)

Reflection It comes naturally to us, for the most part, to feel good about good things happening to us. But this does not necessarily happen all the time. What if we could feel good twice as often or more? Why not experience that same emotion of appreciative joy when other people meet with success or good fortune? Instead of feeling jealousy or resentment, we can develop the skill of sharing in the good fortune of others. Daily Practice Look around you for examples of good things happening to other people. It can seem hard to find because of the negative bias of our news sources, but if you search a little you can find good news. When you do, allow yourself to feel gladness and joy for the good fortune of those people. Share in the appreciation and gratitude. You can only feel appreciative joy when you see or think about the success of others, so look for it. Tomorrow: Refraining from Harsh Speech One week from today: Cultivating Equanimity Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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