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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Speech: Refraining from Frivolous Speech

RIGHT SPEECH
Refraining from Frivolous Speech

Frivolous speech is unhealthy. Refraining from frivolous speech is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning frivolous speech, one refrains from frivolous speech. One speaks at the right time, speaks only what is fact, and speaks about what is good. One speaks what is worthy of being overheard, words that are reasonable, moderate, and beneficial. (DN 1) One practices thus: “Others may speak frivolously, but I shall abstain from frivolous speech.” (MN 8) When a person commits an offense of some kind, one should not hurry to reprove them but rather should consider whether or not to speak. If you will be troubled, the other person will be hurt, and you cannot help them emerge from what is unhealthy and establish themselves in what is healthy—one should not underrate equanimity toward such a person. (MN 103)

Reflection

Many times in the world of human interaction we encounter minor offenses of some kind that usually provoke an immediate and unexamined reaction. When we feel hurt or annoyed or angry, we often lash back automatically. This is what we are focusing on here. By becoming aware of our speech and only speaking when it is useful and appropriate, we bypass a lot of unconscious conditioning that can cause harm.

Daily Practice

Sometimes you run into a difficult person. There are situations in which it is not going to be effective to speak up. See if you can identify these situations when you run across them and remain silent instead of venting your emotions. Many times it is better to maintain equanimity than to get drawn into an argument or even a fight. Practice not allowing yourself to be provoked into unnecessary speech.

Tomorrow: Reflecting upon Social Action
One week from today: Refraining from False Speech

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Via Daily Dharma: Sharing Our Light

 When out of gratitude we use our candle to light other people’s candles, the whole room gets brighter. This is why we transfer merit to others. This kind of light is continuous and inexhaustible.

Master Sheng Yen, “Rich Generosity”

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Via White Crane Institute // QUEER NATION

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Queer Nights Out!

1990 -

QUEER NATION, the direct-action group's inaugural action took place at Flutie's Bar, a straight hangout at the South Street Sea Port in New York City on April 13, 1990. The goal: to make clear to patrons that queers will not be restricted to Gay bars for socializing and for public displays of affection. More visibility actions like this one became known as "Queer Nights Out."

|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8| Gay Wisdom for Daily Living from White Crane Institute "With the increasing commodification of gay news, views, and culture by powerful corporate interests, having a strong independent voice in our community is all the more important. White Crane is one of the last brave standouts in this bland new world... a triumph over the looming mediocrity of the mainstream Gay world." - Mark Thompson Exploring Gay Wisdom & Culture since 1989! www.whitecraneinstitute.org |8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|O|8|

 

Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation // Words of Wisdom - April 13, 2022 💌

 
 

Don't treat yourself so gingerly; you can let go of stuff. Sometimes it takes three breaths instead of two to do it, but you can do it. Be a little tougher and don't cling to stuff. People go around carrying everybody's stuff all of the time. I just pick it up and put it down. Pick it up and put it down. - Ram Dass

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During "There Are No Secrets: Fundamentals of Qi Gong & Tai Chi" (online April 16) with Hakim Tafari, we will explore the timeless art and practice of two mindful movement traditions: Qi Gong & Tai Chi.

Together, we will learn more about the benefits of these practices, and discover how to break down each step, work with the breath and body mechanics, and explore how to cultivate inner Qi (sometimes translated as spirit) to enable a sense of energy flow and ease.

More info & register: go.spiritrock.org/SR041622

#taichi #qigong

Via Daily Dharma: Every Breath is Unique

 Meditation teaches us the value of every moment’s unique experience. You have never taken in this particular lungful of air before and will never do so again.

Andrew Olendzki, “This Moment Is Unique”

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Via NPR // He shields his identity with a mask, but country music lets Orville Peck be himself

 

Via Daily Dharma: Open to Relationship

 To open yourself up to need, longing, dependency, and reliance on others means opening yourself to the truth that none of us can do this on our own.

Barry Magid, “No Gain”

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right View: Understanding the Noble Truth of the Way to the Cessation of Suffering

 

RIGHT VIEW
Understanding the Noble Truth of the Way to the Cessation of Suffering

And what is the way leading to the cessation of suffering? It is just this noble eightfold path: that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right living, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. (MN 9) One perfects their ethical behavior by abandoning the taking of what is not given … (DN 2)

Reflection

A lot of human activity revolves around giving and taking, and the early Buddhist teachings are very sensitive to both. We are encouraged to give as generously as possible, as this loosens attachments and cultivates goodwill toward others. Great care is called for around the matter of taking, and the precept about taking what is not given is far stricter than a simple injunction against stealing.

Daily Practice

Being very scrupulous about things that do not belong to us is a practice in itself. It requires us to be more aware of our relationship to things and more attentive to the social cues given by others. Notice how it feels when somebody touches something you regard as not belonging to you (say a stick on the ground) and when they touch something you cherish (such as your phone). See how ownership triggers suffering?

Tomorrow: Cultivating Equanimity
One week from today: Understanding the Noble Truth of Suffering

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Intention: Cultivating Equanimity

RIGHT INTENTION
Cultivating Equanimity

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 equanimity, for when you develop meditation on equanimity, all aversion is abandoned. (MN 62)  Equanimity succeeds when it makes attraction and aversion subside. (Vm 9.96) Having touched a sensation with the body, one is neither glad-minded nor sad-minded, but abides with equanimity, mindful and fully aware. (AN 6.1)

Reflection

Desire can be plotted on a spectrum from strong attraction at one extreme through weaker forms of favoring to first mild and then very strong forms of aversion. At the center point of this range is equanimity, which involves looking upon things with awareness but without positive or negative desire (attraction or aversion). This is not indifference! It is the ability to see clearly, without the interference of desire.

Daily Practice

Practice cultivating equanimity in the attitude you take toward the physical sensations felt in the body. We are used to favoring the good ones and opposing the bad ones. Instead, practice regarding both in the same way: aware that the sensation is present, but not categorizing it into liked or disliked. Notice what it feels like to just experience the sensation in a pure way, without the distortions imposed on the mind by desire.

Tomorrow: Refraining from Frivolous Speech
One week from today: Cultivating Lovingkindness

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New book features previously unpublished photographs of gay romance from the 1850s to 1950s

 

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Mindfulness and Concentration: Establishing Mindfulness of Mind and the Third Jhāna

 

RIGHT MINDFULNESS
Establishing Mindfulness of Mind

A person goes to the forest or to the root of a tree or to an empty place and sits down. Having crossed the legs, one sets the body erect. One establishes the presence of mindfulness. (MN 10) One is aware: “Ardent, fully aware, mindful, I am content.” (SN 47.10)   When the mind is beset by confusion, one is aware “the mind is beset by confusion”… One is just aware, just mindful: “There is mind.” And one abides not clinging to anything in the world. (MN 10)

Reflection

Not all practice sessions are filled with bliss. In fact, they are not meant to be. The idea is to be fully aware of whatever is happening in your experience, whether it is calm and peaceful or full of confusion. A rush of random states can still be observed one at a time. You can even feel content amidst confusion, as long as you abide without clinging to anything.

Daily Practice

When your mind is beset by confusion, just be aware that this is what is happening right now. You don’t have to feel like you are doing something wrong or try to change it. Just pay very close attention and follow along with the jumble of thoughts and emotions with as much equanimity as possible. You can actually be quite attentive to a stream of consciousness that is on a roller-coaster ride, if you don’t judge it and just examine it.

RIGHT CONCENTRATION Approaching and Abiding in the Third Phase of Absorption (3rd Jhāna)

With the fading away of joy, one abides in equanimity; mindful and fully aware, still feeling pleasure with the body, one enters upon and abides in the third phase of absorption, on account of which noble ones announce: “One has a pleasant abiding who has equanimity and is mindful.” (MN 4)

Reflection

Some people move easily and naturally through the stages of absorption, but many people do not. This is not something to be forced if it does not come on its own, and we should never judge our progress against the schema of four jhānas. As we can see, mindfulness and concentration each involve the other, so at a certain point it becomes unnecessary and unhelpful to compare the two and distinguish two different practices.

Daily Practice

As you settle into the pleasant feeling tones of the second level of absorption, the pleasure gradually subsides and resolves into a state of equanimity or even-mindedness. The body still feels tranquil and at ease, but the mind becomes more balanced as it becomes more mindful and fully aware. Simply rest at ease, doing nothing and striving for nothing, and let the mind settle naturally.

Tomorrow: Understanding the Noble Truth of the Way to the Cessation of Suffering
One week from today:  Establishing Mindfulness of Mental Objects and Abiding in the Fourth Jhāna

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