Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation -- Words of Wisdom - April 10, 2022 💌

 

The game is not to push away the world, the game is not to get caught in it—the game is to, as Christ said, ‘Be in the world, but not of the world,’ to be simultaneously empty and full, to be somebody and nobody. It’s all these paradoxes you have to embrace. There’s nothing to do, so get on with it. 

- Ram Dass -

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In another Bhakti-steeped podcast, Krishna Das sings kirtan and answers questions about practice on the spiritual path, surrender, sexuality, death, clinging, and Maharaj-ji’s love....

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Effort: Developing Unarisen Healthy States

RIGHT EFFORT
Developing Unarisen Healthy States

Whatever a person frequently thinks about and ponders, that will become the inclination of their mind. If one frequently thinks about and ponders healthy states, one has abandoned unhealthy states to cultivate healthy states, and then one’s mind inclines to healthy states. (MN 19) Here a person rouses the will, makes an effort, stirs up energy, exerts the mind, and strives to develop the arising of unarisen healthy mental states. One develops the unarisen tranquility and concentration awakening factors. (MN 141)

Reflection

Sometimes healthy states of mind come up on their own, apparently spontaneously. Other times we have to make them happen. The word for “develop” in Pali (bhāvana) literally means “cause to be” or “make become” and so is very descriptive of the process. The more you experience healthy states, the more they develop, and the more the mind inclines toward what is helpful and skillful.

Daily Practice

Practice calling to mind thoughts that are likely to bring on healthy mental states. These might be thoughts of a loved one that evoke friendliness and lovingkindness. Or thinking about those in distress might bring about feelings of compassion and wanting to help. Among the best positive states to develop are peacefulness, or tranquility, and focusing the mind with concentration. The more you develop these states, the easier it gets.

Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Mind and Abiding in the Third Jhāna One week from today: Maintaining Arisen Healthy States Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

 

Via Daily Dharma: Waking Up to Life

 Reverence is the process of awakening to being alive. It’s the realization that life is amazing, and every living being is our sibling.  

Paul Hawken, “Paul Hawken on Helping Our Planet Heal Itself”

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures

 

RIGHT LIVING
Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures 

Sensual misconduct is unhealthy. Refraining from sensual misconduct is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning sensual misconduct, one abstains from misbehaving among sensual pleasures. (MN 41) One practices thus: “Others may engage in sensual misconduct, but I will abstain from sensual misconduct.” (MN 8) Communities are of two kinds: those to be cultivated and those not to be cultivated. Such communities as cause, in one who cultivates them, unhealthy states to increase and healthy states to diminish, such communities are not to be cultivated. But such communities as cause, in one who cultivates them, unhealthy states to diminish and healthy states to increase, such communities are to be cultivated. (MN 114)

Reflection

Collective relationships are as important to examine as personal relationships. Just as the kinds of friends we keep affect our own development so also the communities we are part of make a difference in what qualities are supported in us. It is so easy to fall into sensual misconduct; we are being encouraged here to attend carefully to the larger social forces with which we regularly interact. It makes a difference in who we become.

Daily Practice

Reflect upon the various communities you inhabit and assess truthfully whether they are healthy or unhealthy groups. The criteria are pretty straightforward: Do healthy states of mind increase or decrease when you hang out with this crowd? Do unhealthy states increase or decrease? It is important to ensure that the relationships we cultivate are helping us grow in a positive direction and that we are not being led astray by our peers.

Tomorrow: Developing Unarisen Healthy States
One week from today: Abstaining from Intoxication

Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media
#DhammaWheel

Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

Via Daily Dharma: Working Towards Peace

 Peace requires courage and hard work. Peace means that each and every one of us has an obligation to build mutual understanding and an obligation to reject fear. 

Gyalwang Drukpa, “How to Combat Fear”

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