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 awakening factor of mindfulness. (MN 141)

Reflection Effort is the tool we have to shape what we think, say, and do. Using it in healthy ways, we will become healthier. Just as we learn to guard against the arising of unhealthy states, we are also encouraged to develop healthy mental and emotional states. The text will take us through the seven healthy factors of awakening, beginning here with mindfulness. It is always beneficial to be aware, and we should practice doing so. Daily Practice Here you are invited to develop healthy mental states, which starts with creating the conditions that encourage them to arise. The first basic condition for healthy states to arise is mindfulness, for by being consciously aware of your experience you are not just reacting unconsciously to whatever comes up. Simply be attentive in every moment you can and notice what is happening. By doing so you participate in your life. 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.

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Via Daily Dharma: Searching for Solutions

When I have a problem that comes to me, I’m not looking for the solution in something other than the problem itself. Actually, the problem can be the solution. 

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche in conversation with Helen Tworkov, “Mingyur Rinpoche on Overcoming Panic and Finding Joy Through Acceptance”

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Via Buddhist Global Relief // A New Year Retreat: Anchoring Our Lives in the Dharma

 

 

 

In reflecting on the past year, we at Buddhist Global Relief are filled with gratitude for each of the members of our global community—our donors, our supporters, and the thousands of people around the world whom BGR serves. 

 

Like a raindrop joining with others to become a river, your generosity joins with that of others to become the gift of hope for those in need. So your act of compassion may provide food to a hungry child in Mongolia or Haiti or Cameroon; a scholarship for an impoverished young woman in India or Cambodia; and desperately needed aid to thousands of other people around the world. What a beautiful example of the interconnection of all beings!

As we prepare to welcome the new year, we recommit together to building a world in which all children have enough to eat, all people are blessed with peace, justice, and the fulfillment of their material needs, and all of the Earth’s inhabitants collaborate in protecting the delicate web of life and the natural environment that sustains us. 

Please join us on the evening of January 6 for a special New Year blessing ceremony, and all day on January 7, as Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi leads us in meditation, learning, and reflection to welcome in the new year. He is joined by Dassanāya Buddhist Community founder Ayyā Dhammadīpa; Roshi Joan Hoeberichts of Heart Circle Sangha; and Uganda Buddhist Center founder and abbot Bhante Buddharakkita in an online retreat, “Anchoring Our Lives in the Dharma.”

There is no cost for the retreat, but all donations given will benefit Buddhist Global Relief. Please give as your means allow. Your generous contribution will support BGR’s work to feed the hungry, to educate children in need, to support sustainable agriculture, and to empower vulnerable women.

REGISTER NOW

Come together in the work of conscientious compassion at:
buddhistglobalrelief.org

 

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Via FB // Zen Taoism Buddhism Thich Nhat Hanh Dalai lama

 

Via FB // Zen Taoism Buddhism Thich Nhat Hanh Dalai lama

 

Via FB // PEACE and Grace: Spirituality in a Broken World

 

Via Sacramento Bee

 

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) There is a gift, which is a great gift—pristine, of long standing, traditional, ancient, unadulterated—that will never be suspect. Here a noble person gives up sensual misconduct and refrains from it. In doing so, one gives freedom from fear, hostility, and oppression to an immeasurable number of beings. (AN 8.39)

Reflection The path factor of right livelihood usually focuses on the trades and business practices of laypersons, and we will look at those in time. Here, however, right livelihood is translated as right living, in an attempt to be somewhat broader in outlook. In that context, this is the place to consider the basic ethical precepts of the Buddhist tradition. Here we focus on sexuality and the importance of refraining from unhealthy sexual conduct.  Daily Practice The text actually says to abstain from sensual misconduct, which is considerably broader in range than sexual misconduct. Anything that gives pleasure can be abused, and you might want to think about such things as the films you watch, the web sites you visit, and ordinary pastimes like eating, drinking, and carousing. The practice here is to be attentive to what you do and give the gift of harmlessness to yourself and others. 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.

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Vai Daily Dharma: The Nature of Thoughts

If we examine thoughts in depth, we cannot find anything truly existing in them. Under scrutiny, they vanish like a big heap of grass set ablaze.

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, “An Investigation of the Mind”

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Via White Crane Institute // Today's Gay Wisdom

Today's Gay Wisdom

2017 -

The Wisdom of George Santayana

• Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
• To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.
• Never build your emotional life on the weaknesses of others.
• History is a pack of lies about events that never happened told by people who weren't there.
• Friends are generally of the same sex, for when men and women agree, it is only in the conclusions; their reasons are always different.
• Tyrants are seldom free; the cares and the instruments of their tyranny enslave them.
• The Difficult is that which can be done immediately; the Impossible that which takes a little longer.
• Prayer, among sane people, has never superseded practical efforts to secure the desired end.
  
  

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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

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Wooden Labyrinth Meditation Sphere - Pagan, Wicca, Witchcraft, Easter, Tintagel, Pyrography

 

Via Daily Dharma: The Two Sides of Purification

From one side, we do the work of purifying ourselves, but with the motivation that it be for the welfare and benefit of all. And from the other side, even as we practice putting others before ourselves, we understand this as being part of our own path of purification.

Joseph Goldstein, “Skillful Means For Liberation”

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Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation // Words of Wisdom - December 14, 2022 💌

 

As long as you have certain desires about how it ought to be, you can't see how it is.

- Ram Dass -

Gay Christmas Movies to Watch During The Holidays

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Mental Action

 

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 wish to do an action with the mind, reflect on that same mental action thus: "Would this action I wish to do with the mind lead to my own affliction?" If, on reflection, you know that it would, then do not do it. If you know that it would not, then proceed. (MN 61)

Reflection We are used to thinking of action as something overt we do with the body or speech, but in fact every single movement of the mind is a form of action. Mental action can be even more consequential than outward forms of action. As the stream of consciousness flows on, each event lays the foundation for ensuing events, and we can see clearly that good things come from good thoughts. Take care of your mind. Daily Practice The practice of meditation gives you access to seeing what is actually going on in your mind, whether you meditate formally on the cushion or meditative reflection becomes a habit in everyday life. Paying attention to yourself, to the process of events unfolding in your mind, is of tremendous value. See if you can notice your intentions, the inclinations of your mind toward one thing or another, as they arise but before you act on them. 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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