Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Effort: Maintaining Arisen Healthy States

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RIGHT EFFORT Maintaining Arisen 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)

Reflection The mind is always moving, leaning into the future as it flows like a stream through the landscape of the world. What path it takes is guided by neither chance nor a higher power: each moment inclines the mind toward the next moment. This is why it can be so important to maintain healthy mental and emotional states when they arise. The healthier the mind is now, the healthier it is likely to be in the future. Daily Practice Notice when you feel kindness toward someone, and then extend that further by feeling kindly toward someone else. Be aware of generosity when it is present in your mind and look for ways to continue expressing it through other generous actions. When you have moments of insight and understanding, allow yourself to linger on them, ponder their significance, and let the wisdom sink a little deeper into your mind. Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Mental Objects and Abiding in the Fourth Jhāna One week from today: Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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Sangha in the Age of Long COVID By Juliana Sloane

Buddhist spaces relaxing their COVID safety measures brought relief to many, but for chronically ill or immunocompromised practitioners, those changes also brought risk.

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Via Mushim Patricia Ikeda

 

I'm pleased to see "How to Practice Metta [Buddhist Good Will or Loving Kindness Meditation] for a Troubled Time," originally published in Lion's Roar some years ago, included in the first issue of the monthly digital newsletter "Bodhi Leaves," edited by my Dharma friend Noel Alumit and Mihiri Tillakaratne. Thank you, Noel and Mihiri! They say:

In San Francisco’s Chinatown, 170 years ago, Chinese immigrants established the first Buddhist temple in the United States. Now, Americans of Asian descent are the largest sangha of Buddhists in America. But despite being the oldest and largest Buddhist group in the United States, Asian American voices have been strangely absent in discussions and interpretations of what “American Buddhism” means.

Every month, Lion’s Roar’s new digital publication, Bodhi Leaves, will feature articles and teachings exploring the Asian American Buddhist experience.

While Bodhi Leaves’ content will be solely from an Asian American Buddhist perspective, its themes will be universal. I’ve learned about Buddhism from mostly white Americans. Now I hope that everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity, can gain wisdom from Asian American Buddhists writing with the freedom to be unabashedly ourselves. All are welcome to this party!

We hope Bodhi Leaves will help Asian American Buddhists create space to engage with one another, deepen our practice, and reframe Buddhism in America.

If you’d like to sign up to receive Bodhi Leaves each month, click here https://mailchi.mp/0099f1a2d01f/bodhi-leaves

To read my essay, "How to Practice Metta for a Troubled Time," click here:

https://www.lionsroar.com/how-to-practice-metta-for-a-troubled-time/?fbclid=IwAR1K7eYuGHpFC0m9XZ_mpnJFVN_yKz8RYrbjvW9hsAAGb077P7QCDhJjwoM

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Intoxication

 

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RIGHT LIVING Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Intoxication Intoxication is unhealthy. Refraining from intoxication is healthy. (MN 9) What are the imperfections that defile the mind? Negligence is an imperfection that defiles the mind. Knowing that negligence is an imperfection that defiles the mind, a person abandons it. (MN 7) One practices thus: “Others may become negligent through intoxication, but I will abstain from the negligence of intoxication.” (MN 8)

Reflection An intoxicated mind is a negligent mind, no matter what toxin it is under the influence of. Whether alcohol, drugs, misinformation, bigotry, conceit, illusion, or some other harmful influence, all act to distort the functioning of the mind and obscure its capacity to see clearly, thus contributing directly to suffering. Right living requires an honest assessment of and strong commitment to abstaining from negligence in all its many forms. Daily Practice Deliberately undertake the practice of non-intoxication by noticing when you are free of anything that causes negligence. This may not be sustainable for long, given the many things that can diminish our alertness and clarity. But at least be aware of the moments when your mind is alert and clear. Perhaps you can gradually extend those moments, and the skill of right living can grow. Tomorrow: Maintaining Arisen Healthy States One week from today: Abstaining from Harming Living Beings 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: Don’t Add Difficulty to Difficulty

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Don’t Add Difficulty to Difficulty

Do not become annoyed when faced with difficulties. To do so merely adds difficulty to difficulty and further disturbs your mind. Master Sheng Yen, “Nonopposition” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

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"“On occasion, I will feel free to use the word. Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality. When we recognize our place in an immensity of light years and in the passage of ages, when we grasp the intricacy, beauty and subtlety of life, then that soaring feeling, that sense of elation and humility combined, is surely spiritual.” - Carl Sagan

[https://www.themarginalian.org/.../carl-sagan-on-science.../](https://www.themarginalian.org/2013/06/12/carl-sagan-on-science-and-spirituality/?fbclid=IwAR2Dji1Zaz5wzJlRKe7mzlptDe0JF0rqrr5P_

Science, in its relentless pursuit of understanding, has unraveled the magnificent tapestry of our existence. From the primordial energy that birthed the universe to the intricate processes of chemistry and biology, the story of our origins is far more awe-inspiring than any tale spun by religion or belief systems.

In this grand celebration of knowledge, science stands as the true art of understanding. It requires no blind faith or unquestioning belief; it is a spiritual journey that unveils the intricate workings of our existence. As we delve into the myriad processes that brought us into being, the mathematical probabilities far outweigh the narratives concocted by others about reality and their belief systems.

Science is the epitome of spirituality, for it reveals the profound truth that we were nothing before we were born, and we will be nothing after we depart this world. We exist in the eternal realms of the in-between, and every moment we have is precious. We owe our very existence to the relentless efforts of our ancestors, who strived to ensure our survival and pave the way for future generations.

As our technological prowess grows, so does the lamentable rise of ignorance. We find ourselves in an era where information flows at the speed of light, but the true reality of our being is often overshadowed by a multitude of platforms disseminating conflicting narratives.

It is a somber realization, but one that should fuel our determination to seek truth amidst the noise. Let us embrace the wonders of science, for it holds the key to unlocking the mysteries of our existence and guiding us towards a future where knowledge triumphs over ignorance. In this pursuit, we honor the legacy of our ancestors and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow."

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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting Upon Social Action

 

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RIGHT ACTION Reflecting Upon Social 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 [social action] is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61)

Reflection The historical Buddha did not talk much about social action, and the field of social action is being artificially added here to the traditional list of the three kinds of action: bodily, verbal, and mental. Social action is an important concern in the modern world, and for decades engaged Buddhists have been addressing issues of how the traditional teachings can inform contemporary concerns for promoting greater social harmony. Daily Practice The quality of intention you put into social action is going to have an effect on the results, much like the planting of seeds affects the harvesting of fruit. It is important to change the inequities and injustices that abound in society but equally important to do so motivated by generosity, kindness, and wisdom rather than by greed, hatred, and delusion. Practice manifesting positive qualities in all the work you do toward social change.  Tomorrow: Abstaining from Intoxication One week from today: Reflecting upon Bodily Action 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: Appreciating Hardships

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Appreciating Hardships

It is precisely our recognition of life’s inevitable hardships, along with our uprooting of the attachments that exacerbate them, that allows us to appreciate the mere fact of being. Rev. Patti Nakai, “Someone Is Jealous of You” CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

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