Friday, March 1, 2024

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Living: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given


 


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RIGHT LIVING
Undertaking the Commitment to Abstain from Taking What is Not Given
Taking what is not given is unhealthy. Refraining from taking what is not given is healthy. (MN 9) Abandoning the taking of what is not given, one abstains from taking what is not given; one does not take by way of theft the wealth and property of others. (MN 41) One practices thus: "Others may take what is not given, but I will abstain from taking what is not given." (MN 8)

One is to practice thus: "Here, regarding things heard by you, in the heard there will be just the heard." When, firmly mindful, one hears a sound, one is not inflamed by lust for sounds; one experiences it with a dispassionate mind and does not remain holding it tightly. (SN 35.95)
Reflection
The precept against stealing can be taken figuratively as well as literally. Yes, it means not to take the property of others, but it can also mean not to read more into what is said or take away more than is uttered. A casual comment can be amplified and complexified by the hearer far beyond what was originally intended by the speaker, and doing this is a kind of psychological appropriation that can be viewed as a form of “taking what is not given.”

Daily Practice
See if you can practice being fully in the present moment, hearing only a sound and not spinning out into a wide pattern of association, interpretation, or projection. As a meditation practice, hearing only a sound requires strong mindfulness and non-attachment. Develop the ability to note what is happening and only what is happening as sense data, without turning it into a story. This is not easy to do, but it can be done.

Tomorrow: Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States
One week from today: Abstaining from Misbehaving Among Sensual Pleasures

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Thursday, February 29, 2024

HEALTHY FOODS That Heal The Body, Starve Cancer & PREVENT DISEASE! | Dr....

From a friend!

 

There are good ships, 

and wood ships, 

ships that sail the sea,

but the best ships are friendships, 

and may they always be!

Via White Crane Institute // February 29th, which means, it’s Leap Year

 

Today's Gay Wisdom
2020 -

It’s February 29th, which means, it’s Leap Year, the odd day of the quadrennial year, and by that very token, this is a Gay day, a “queer” day, an “in between” place. In between places and times are traditionally connected to same-sex/Gay people who, in numerous cultures are considered to be “not-male, not female” i.e. a third (and possibly fourth) gender; in between the sexes. The crossroads is a widely understood example of this “sacred space” traditionally held by same-sex people. The middle ground. The bridge. All are traditionally Gay archetypes.

Although the modern calendar counts a year as 365 days, a complete revolution around the sun takes approximately 365 days and 6 hours. Every four years, an extra twenty-four hours have accumulated, so one extra day is added to that calendar to keep the count coordinated with the sun's apparent position.

There was a tradition that women may make a proposal of marriage to men only in leap years, further restricted in some cases to only February 29. There is a tradition that in 1288 the Scottish Parliament under Queen Margaret legislated that any woman could propose in Leap Year; few parliament records of that time exist, and none concern February 29. Another component of this tradition was that if the man rejects the proposal, he should soften the blow by providing a kiss, one pound currency, and a pair of gloves (some later sources say a silk gown). There were similar notions in France and Switzerland.

A similar modern American tradition, Sadie Hawkins Day, honors "the homeliest gal in the hills" created by Al Capp in the cartoon strip Li'l Abner. In the famous story line, Sadie and every other woman in town were allowed on that day to pursue and catch the most eligible bachelors in Dogpatch. Although the comic strip placed Sadie Hawkins Day in November, today it has become almost synonymous with February 29.

A person who was born on February 29 may be called a "leapling". In non-leap years they may celebrate their birthday on February 28 or March 1.

 


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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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Via FB


 

Via Daily Dharma: The Point of Practice

 

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The Point of Practice

Attaining a flexible, nonideological, nonfixated state of mind—what Zen practitioners might call 'beginner’s mind'—is the whole point of meditation practice.

Rita Gross, “Buddhist History for Buddhist Practitioners”


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Exploring the Protective Qualities of Sati
By Jake Dartington
In an excerpt for our latest online course, The Five Spiritual Powers, Gaia House’s Jake Dartington reflects on the many functions of mindfulness.
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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Action: Reflecting upon Verbal Action

 


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RIGHT ACTION
Reflecting Upon Verbal 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 verbal action is to be done with repeated reflection. (MN 61)

When you wish to do an action with speech, reflect upon that same verbal action thus: "Would this action I wish to do with speech 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
Often a conversation is like a chess game, in which it is beneficial to be able to think a few moves ahead. Are you just expressing what is on your mind, or do you want to have the other person hear you so you can have an impact on what they are thinking? Considering the impact your words have on others is a skill that can be learned, and it increases the effectiveness of your speech. It is good to be aware of what you are saying.

Daily Practice
Try slowing down your speech pattern and taking that extra moment to pause and check in on your emotional and mental state before you respond. With what quality of mind will you speak the next words: annoyance? agitation? benevolence? equanimity? Normal speech patterns are often very rapid, not giving us much time for reflection, but being more reflective is an extremely valuable practice.   

Tomorrow: Abstaining from Taking What is Not Given
One week from today: Reflecting upon Mental Action

Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media
#DhammaWheel

Questions?
Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.



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

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Via Ram Dass - Love Serve Remember Foundation // Words of Wisdom - February 28, 2024 💌

 

 

Acting with compassion is not doing good because we think we ought to... It is giving ourselves into what we are doing, and being present in the moment. It is acting from our deepest understanding of what life is and not compromising the truth.

- Ram Dass -