Via Daily Dharma: How to Be Faultless

 It is possible to feel that one has no faults. Why? Because after discovering that one’s ideas and behaviors are imperfect, if one always immediately corrects them, this is maintaining a state of faultlessness.

Master Sheng-Yen, “How to Be Faultless”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Via [GBF] A Talk from the Archive: Wes Nisker

A recording from the archive dating back 2 decades has just been added to the website: 

The 3 Marks of Existence and The Path of Meditation - Wes Nisker

DESCRIPTION:

The Buddha outlined the '3 Characteristics of Existence' as Impermanence, Unsatisfactoriness, and Non-Self (or anatta).
In this talk, Wes shares how these are foundational to the path of meditation.

Highlights include:

• The concept of “Radical Impermanence”
• The Tibetan appreciation for our precious existence as human beings.
• How non-self stems from the interdependence with everything,
• That our consciousness is the consciousness of the Universe.
• That human beings are the only creatures that can see ourselves in context.
• Mindfulness is a non-interfering awareness, a clear knowing.
• Freud's view that our personality can be viewed as a pet.

______________
Wes Nisker, the co-founder and editor of the international Buddhist journal Inquiring Minds, has practiced Vipassana meditation for 30 years. He is the author of "Buddha's Nature: Evolution as a Guide to Enlightenment," "Crazy Wisdom: A Romp Through the Philosophies of East and West," and "The Buddha, the Big Bang, and the Baby Boom: The Spiritual Experiments of My Generation."

In addition to leading a regular sitting group in Berkeley, he teaches classes in meditation and philosophy at Spirit Rock and at other locations around the country.
Learn more at https://wesnisker.com/

Via Daily Dharma: Directing Your Effort

The effort isn’t in trying to stop the mind but in paying attention in a receptive way to what’s actually happening. 

Mark Van Buren, “Accept Whatever the Mind Is Doing”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Effort: Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States

 

TRICYCLE      COURSE CATALOG      SUPPORT      DONATE

RIGHT EFFORT Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States Whatever a person frequently thinks and ponders, that will become the inclination of their mind. If one frequently thinks about and ponders unhealthy states, one has abandoned healthy states to cultivate unhealthy states, and then one’s mind inclines to unhealthy states. (MN 19) Here a person rouses the will, makes an effort, stirs up energy, exerts the mind, and strives to restrain the arising of unarisen unhealthy mental states. One restrains the arising of the unarisen hindrance of restlessness. (MN 141)

Reflection It should not surprise us to hear that a person gradually becomes what they practice being. If you complain a lot about all the things you are discontented with, you will become a more discontented person and more inclined to further discontent. This works in a positive direction also, allowing us to develop healthy mental habits, but this passage focuses on protecting ourselves from our own toxic qualities of mind. Daily Practice This passage begins the process of walking us through the five hindrances, qualities of mind that inhibit mental clarity and contribute to suffering. The first of these is restlessness, a quality of mind that is active in some moments and dormant in others. Here we are told to practice the states of mind, primarily calm and tranquility, that prevent restlessness from arising. A calm mind is a healthy mind; practice calming the mind often. Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Body and Abiding in the First Jhāna One week from today: Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

Tricycle is a nonprofit and relies on your support to keep its wheels turning. Donate »

© 2023 Tricycle Foundation 89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Harming Living Beings

 

TRICYCLE      COURSE CATALOG      SUPPORT      DONATE

RIGHT LIVING Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Harming Living Beings Harming living beings is unhealthy. Refraining from harming living beings is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning the harming of living beings, one abstains from harming living beings; with rod and weapon laid aside, gentle and kindly, one abides with compassion for all living beings. (MN 41) One practices thus: "Others may harm living beings, but I will abstain from the harming of living beings." (MN 8) A layperson is not to engage in the livelihood of trading in living beings. (AN 5.177)

Reflection In the ancient world there was a lot of abuse and exploitation of people through servitude and slavery. The Buddha recognized this as a toxic enterprise and steered his followers away from participating in such practices. Yes, wealthy Buddhists had servants, but many texts emphasize the importance of treating them well, including paying them fairly and giving them time off and medical support. Daily Practice Take stock of how much harm to others is generated from your chosen field of livelihood. See what measures might be taken to treat people more fairly, reduce inequality, and actively promote the common good. In particular, if you find yourself engaged in an industry that is systemically and systematically abusive, take steps to change professions. Causing harm to others or yourself is not healthy.  Tomorrow: Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States One week from today: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

Tricycle is a nonprofit and relies on your support to keep its wheels turning. Donate »

© 2023 Tricycle Foundation 89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Via Daily Dharma: You Don’t Have to Be a Hero

 It’s not that we are always going to have the capacity to engage in tremendous acts of generosity and kindness. It’s that we’re open and available to realizing that things are different than they seem.

Mindy Newman, “How to Stay Calm in a Raging World”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

STATEMENT: The Elders call for international condemnation of Russia's New START suspension

 

23 February 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tweet this statement
Download this statement

The Elders call for international condemnation of Russia's New START suspension

Statement: On the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, The Elders call on all UN member states to condemn President Putin’s latest efforts to escalate his illegal war on Ukraine through suspending Russia’s participation in New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty).

We urge Russia and the United States to return to dialogue to manage the risks of nuclear weapons, which are particularly high at times of increased global tensions.

President Putin’s action increases the existential threat of nuclear catastrophe for humanity and risks the safety and security of all nations. It runs contrary to Russia’s own security interests, and raises the alarming prospect of a world without any constraints on the arsenals of the two nuclear superpowers – Russia and the United States – for the first time since 1972.

Russia’s actions further underline the importance of global unity in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty, and against President Putin’s cynical use of nuclear blackmail to further his belligerent ambitions.

Neutrality is not a moral option in the face of Russia’s war of aggression, and it is in the interest of all states to make clear that violations of the UN Charter and international law will not go unpunished.  

Despite the dangerous actions of the Russian government, we still believe that dialogue remains the only effective way to limit nuclear risks and prevent a new self-defeating arms race taking hold between the main nuclear powers. 

To avoid further exacerbating tensions, we urge Russia to continue to observe New START limits even while it has suspended implementation of the treaty. We recognise the measured response from the US government so far, and encourage the US to preserve space for restoring Russian compliance with the treaty should circumstances change.

Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders and former President of Ireland, said:

“President Putin’s suspension of New START participation is another worrying attempt to use nuclear sabre-rattling to further his war of aggression against Ukraine. This is in direct violation of Russia’s international obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty to pursue nuclear disarmament in good faith. The world must respond with a united voice to condemn Russia’s dangerous actions and to pressure them to reverse course.”

Ban Ki-moon, Deputy Chair of The Elders and former Secretary-General of the United Nations, said:

“I am alarmed at Russia’s decision to suspend participation in New START, which risks fuelling a dangerous and expensive new arms race with unpredictable consequences for the entire world. Such an outcome would be in the interests of no-one, including the people of Russia. This requires a sober response from the United States and the broader international community to persuade Russia to return to compliance with the treaty while making clear that the world will not be held hostage by President Putin’s nuclear blackmail.”

ENDS

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Bodily Action

 

TRICYCLE      COURSE CATALOG      SUPPORT      DONATE

RIGHT ACTION Reflecting Upon Bodily 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 bodily action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61) When you wish to do an action with the body, reflect upon that same bodily action thus: "Would this action I wish to do with the body lead to the affliction of another?" If, upon reflection, you know that it would, then do not do it; if you know that it would not, then proceed. (MN 61)

Reflection How much of our bodily action is intentional, done with full awareness, and how much of what we do is done out of habit? Seeing what you do as you do it, as when you observe yourself in a mirror, is one of the metaphors used for mindfulness.  Daily Practice Practice acting with full awareness. Even simple tasks like breathing and walking and eating can be fields for training the capacity for mindfulness. Then the ability will be available when more ethically challenging situations arise. It is a matter of becoming more sensitive to the implications of acting, and being more aware of everything we do. In this way we can plant healthy fruit, rather than just dealing with whatever arises.  Tomorrow: Abstaining from Harming Living Beings One week from today: Reflecting upon Verbal Action Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

Tricycle is a nonprofit and relies on your support to keep its wheels turning. Donate »

© 2023 Tricycle Foundation 89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003