✨ By approaching with mindful understanding the experience of feelings in general, and of pain in particular, this experience can become a powerful source of insight. All it takes is to remain aware, in the present moment, of the changing process of feelings as it is, without reacting. — Bhikkhu Analayo ✨
Tricycle's freely offered Buddhism for Beginners has been updated. https://tricycle.org/buddhism-for-beginners/ It's a really good resource, also for non-beginners who need a quick refresher. Also often a good resource to share with curious family or friends.
Tricycle's freely offered Buddhism for Beginners has been updated. https://tricycle.org/buddhism-for-beginners/ It's a really good resource, also for non-beginners who need a quick refresher. Also often a good resource to share with curious family or friends.
This landmark collection is the definitive introduction to the Buddha’s teachings—in his own words. The …
The fact that such texts as this sutta and the Kālāma Sutta do not dwell on the doctrines of kamma and rebirth does not mean, as is sometimes assumed, that such teachings are mere cultural accretions to the Dhamma that can be deleted or explained away without losing anything essential. It means only that, at the outset, the Dhamma can be approached in ways that do not require reference to past and future lives. The Buddha’s teaching has many sides, and thus, from certain angles, it can be directly evaluated against our concern for our present well-being and happiness. Once we see that the practice of the teaching does indeed bring peace, joy, and inner security in this very life, this will inspire our trust and confidence in the Dhamma as a whole, including those aspects that lie beyond our present capacity for personal verification. If we were to undertake certain practices—practices that require highly refined skills and determined effort—we would be able to acquire the faculties needed to validate those other aspects
One of the best explanations for how to approach the notions of #kamma and #rebirth I've seen. And also one of the readings of the Kālāma #Sutta which is well-integrated into the context of the rest of the #Nikāyas.
One of the best explanations for how to approach the notions of #kamma and #rebirth I've seen. And also one of the readings of the Kālāma #Sutta which is well-integrated into the context of the rest of the #Nikāyas.
Throughout history, people have sought the heights of human potential—to become as wise and strong, …
Starts off really well with a good "come and see" tone. The introduction includes a powerful #meditation and #reflection on letting be, letting go, letting in. Maybe it's just the mind-state I'm in today, but it seems like Rick has gotten even more skilled at reading his own work.
Starts off really well with a good "come and see" tone. The introduction includes a powerful #meditation and #reflection on letting be, letting go, letting in. Maybe it's just the mind-state I'm in today, but it seems like Rick has gotten even more skilled at reading his own work.
“The whole point of the spiritual path is to transcend ambition or struggle. So presenting meditation in terms of how good you could become at it, and how exciting it will be once you reach enlightenment, seems to be a self-destructive way of presenting the teachings. With this approach, a person wouldn’t be able to enjoy the journey, but he or she would constantly be dreaming about the goal.” Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche #dharma
There is one advantage to realizing that you're never going to get it right: you do begin to stop expecting everyone else to get it right too, which makes for less frustration when other people turn out to be just as human as you are.
― Jeff Wilson, Buddhism of the Heart: Reflections on Shin Buddhism and Inner Togetherness
There is one advantage to realizing that you're never going to get it right: you do begin to stop expecting everyone else to get it right too, which makes for less frustration when other people turn out to be just as human as you are.
― Jeff Wilson, Buddhism of the Heart: Reflections on Shin Buddhism and Inner Togetherness
Buddhistdoor Quote for Today: Linji Yixuan (d. 866 CE)
An ancient said that if you call it a thing, you miss the mark. Just look for yourself: what else is there? Talk could go on forever: each of you must personally make the effort. — Linji Yixuan (d. 866 CE)
#WritersCoffeeClub 12. How much do themes of transience or permanence appear in your work?
The concepts of the karmic wheel, samsara, and transendence are embedded in the mythology of my world, so impermanence is alluded to. Most notable in the metaphor of one's "next seven lives."
They hardly rise to the level of themes and are very minorly featured.
#WritersCoffeeClub 12. How much do themes of transience or permanence appear in your work?
The concepts of the karmic wheel, samsara, and transendence are embedded in the mythology of my world, so impermanence is alluded to. Most notable in the metaphor of one's "next seven lives."
They hardly rise to the level of themes and are very minorly featured.
‘Imagine if karma went instant?’ said Anton. ‘How crazy would that be?’
What if …
Pleasantly Novelized Dharma Teaching
4 stars
Note: This is the first time I've read a novelized #Dharma teaching before, so the rating I've given it and the review below are likely to reflect my lack of experience with the genre.
I decided to listen to this book because I was hoping for something that would be easy to listen to and follow, yet would still inspire and motivate me similar to the way a good #Dharmatalk or #Dharmabook might. I'm happy to write that my wish was granted and then some. The story was engaging and I thought that the way the teachings on #karma were woven into the narrative was subtle enough to be believable while at the same time taking enough space front and center to be studied for themselves. That said, the book is not just a collection of teachings on #karma dressed up in a narrative to make them more palatable; …
Note: This is the first time I've read a novelized #Dharma teaching before, so the rating I've given it and the review below are likely to reflect my lack of experience with the genre.
I decided to listen to this book because I was hoping for something that would be easy to listen to and follow, yet would still inspire and motivate me similar to the way a good #Dharmatalk or #Dharmabook might. I'm happy to write that my wish was granted and then some. The story was engaging and I thought that the way the teachings on #karma were woven into the narrative was subtle enough to be believable while at the same time taking enough space front and center to be studied for themselves. That said, the book is not just a collection of teachings on #karma dressed up in a narrative to make them more palatable; indeed, the main engine of the story is an exploration of the workings of #karma. That it is presented as a story is perhaps even a major advantage because of the way the cause-and-effect relationship between various actions and their results could be explored via the use of numerous examples.
The inspiring and thought-provoking nature of the teachings in the novel are made even more effective by the refrain of "no need to believe, just try it out and see" which appears both in the mouths of characters in the story and is echoed by David Michie in his afterword. I see it as yet another strength that David Michie acknowledges that the way he has chosen to portray the workings of #karma if it were instant to be only one possible portrayal based on the theory from which he is working and which he presents in the book.
The major weakness of the book as I see it was that the word choice often seemed rather clunky, the writing generally not resembling high literature. That said, I did like the tongue-in-cheek quality of the writing and I think doing both would have been difficult at best. I also have suspicions that the book might not pass the #BechdelTest, but I didn't notice that until near the end, so I can't honestly say I'm sure one way or the other.
All in all, I got what I hoped for from the book, had a lot of fun listening to it, and left feeling inspired. I'm glad I gave it a chance and thought it was well worth the time.
"The bad things, don't do them. The good things, try to do them. Try to purify, subdue your own mind. That is the teaching of all buddhas." - #ThichNhatHanh
"The bad things, don't do them. The good things, try to do them. Try to purify, subdue your own mind. That is the teaching of all buddhas." - #ThichNhatHanh