Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Via Daily Dharma: From Uncertainty to Curiosity

 

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From Uncertainty to Curiosity 

Zen koans help us grow skilled in tolerating a precarious state of mind, and not turning away but growing curious instead. That we can’t go forward in the usual way becomes the strangely valuable offer of the moment.

Susan Murphy, “A Koan for These Times” 


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Healing Glistens On Carefully Washed Windows
By Paula Arai
Zen teachings for tidying a home, and the ripple of benefits that come with it.
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Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Jesus was a Buddhist Monk BBC Documentary

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Intention: Cultivating Equanimity

 

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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) 

The function of equanimity is to see equality in beings. (Vm 9.93) Having heard a sound with the ear, one is neither glad-minded nor sad-minded but abides with equanimity, mindful and fully aware. (AN 6.1)
Reflection
Equanimity is the active ingredient in mindfulness practice. Here we see it as the fourth of the brahma-viharas. Equanimity means an evenly balanced mind, like a plate on a stick that inclines neither toward nor away from an object of experience. It is the midpoint between greed (attraction) and hatred (aversion), and is therefore a state in which the mind can be free from the influence of both.
Daily Practice
As we cycle through the senses, we are encouraged here to work with the sense modality of sound. So often we reach for the sounds that we like and make us feel good, and avoid or recoil from the sounds that we don’t like and make us feel bad. At this basic level of sensory input, can you practice being mindful and fully aware of a sound without either favoring or opposing it? Try to let the sound be what it is, without relating it to yourself and your preferences.
Tomorrow: Refraining from Frivolous Speech
One week from today: Cultivating Lovingkindness

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: Keep Practicing

 

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Keep Practicing 

It is said that awakening is an accident, and when we keep practicing, we become more accident-prone. So keep practicing, so that different perceptions pop up when you least expect them and they gradually become readily accessible.

Nikki Mirghafori, “Dreaming Together” 


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What We’re Listening to
By Wendy Biddlecombe Agsar and Frederick M. Ranallo-Higgins
We’ve compiled a few podcasts and a guided meditation from Kimberly Brown that you don’t want to miss. 
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Monday, January 15, 2024

MLK @ CSUS 1967




 See also: https://www.csus.edu/news/articles/2017/10/17/mlk%27s-legacy-and-long-ago-visit-celebrated-at-sac-state.shtml

 

Via White Crane Institute // MLK Day

 

Noteworthy
The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
1929 -

 On this date The Rev. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR was born in Atlanta, Georgia. As an African American civil rights leader he spoke eloquently and stressed nonviolent methods to achieve equality. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. In 1983, the third Monday in January was designated a legal holiday in the U.S. to celebrate his birthday. King's message was a catalyst for many in the gay rights movement and continues to be an inspiration for the GLBT community today.


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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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Gay Men Discussion Group • Unlock the Power of Authentic Community in Sa...

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

 


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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)

It happens that a fully awakened Buddha arises in the world, endowed with wisdom and impeccable behavior. Having realized awakening himself, he teaches the Dhamma, lovely in the beginning, middle, and end, and demonstrates a purified spiritual life. The Dhamma taught by the Buddha is heard by people, who gain trust in the Buddha and his teaching. (DN 2)
Reflection
After the first three noble truths have pointed out the existence of suffering, identified its cause as craving, and attested that craving can be ended, the fourth noble truth focuses on the treatment plan to follow in order to cure suffering. The eightfold path is an integrated path of gradually purifying behavior in the world, developing the mind through meditation, and understanding the nature of things more clearly. 

Daily Practice
This path is a call to adventure, an invitation to undertake the process of gradual transformation that will carry anyone from a condition of affliction, moderate or grave, to one of greater happiness and well-being. It starts with hearing the teachings and having just enough trust to take your first steps and begin putting those teachings into practice. The path calls for many small steps taken carefully and mindfully.

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

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.

© 2024 Tricycle Foundation
89 5th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Via Daily Dharma: Growing Out of Old Patterns

 

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Growing Out of Old Patterns

It is important to remember that patterns don’t have to repeat themselves. Through remaining in the present, we can let go of the past and the future—the headquarters of our fears. 

Lama Tsony, “Facing Fear”


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The Greatest Fullness
By Sarah Fleming
Painter Ito Jakuchu’s artwork highlights the buddhanature in each of its subjects.
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Sunday, January 14, 2024

Via FB


 

Via [GBF] New Talk: "Cultivating Clear Seeing, Wisdom, and Insight"

Part 1 from the GBF 2023 Fall Retreat is now available:
Cultivating Clear Seeing, Wisdom, and Insight

Our teacher for the weekend, Donald Rothberg, shares a 45-min dharma talk followed by a 45-min group dialogue.

Donald informs us that the purpose of Buddhist practice is to move beyond techniques and teachings, into a deep state of resting in one's own being. There we can experience insight into Impermanence, Dukkha, and Not -Self that informs our behavior in daily life.
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Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast player or the GBF website: 

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Enjoy 800+ free recorded dharma talks at www.gaybuddhist.org/podcast/