Antidotes
Contemplar la impureza del cuerpo domina la lujuria;
la cultivación de la amabilidad contrarresta la malicia;
la atención a la respiración corta el pensamiento discursivo;
la percepción de la impermanencia elimina la presunción “Yo soy.”
—Buda Sakyamuni, Udana
Posted in Dhamma
Today is the uposatha and I have to admit that, although it’s not a panacea, reflecting on gratitude is proving to be a useful counterweight to a mind burdened by worry and prone to anxiety. I keep reminding myself that the worldly winds buffet all of us and I turn to appreciation of what I do have when I’m firmly grounded in that view.
Bad things, horrible things still happen as a result of our past kamma ripening but at any time at all we can point to something to be learned, to be thankful for or to appreciate. It’s weird how one can know these things and yet it takes years for them to work their way down into the hard soil of the heart and take root. I’m thankful at least that they’re taking root at all however.
Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Gratitude, Theravada, Uposatha | Tags: appreciation, thankfulness
I have noticed that my mind has been attracted to dark places of late, believing in all manner of dark fantasy and speculation. And, although buddhanussati (on Lord Sakyamuni and Amitabha) and devanussati (on Avalokiteshvara, Ksitigarbha and Metteyya) have helped, it has sometimes been hard to find the energy for sustained practices. I guess I took quick stock of my situation yesterday and realized that the situation was pretty dire and I needed to do something about it.
So, in between ministering to sick children and making meals I began I quick book search on the topic of “joy.” Much of what I found there didn’t initially strike me but I somehow made my way into looking for titles about “gratitude” and realized it was this quality of mind that had been sorely lacking.
My fault finding mind has been on overdrive and this couldn’t be more true than with my own practice. I realize how my awareness styles on anything only to quickly criticize it and accentuate the negative. Obviously, appreciation is the antidote but, in my mind, this quality has so often been conjoined with theistic metaphysics that it has been hard to figure out the right approach.
It now seems that the right approach is to cultivate appreciation by whatever means necessary. Whether it’s through comparison (I have a place to shelter tonight), by rejoicing in the potentiality (I have met with the Dharma and can release myself from suffering) or simply appreciating the present moment (as in the stillness of a tranquil meditation session) I can turn the mind from the shadows and towards the light. And, why not? What better way to train the mind to be of benefit to self and other than to choose light and not?
I spent last night in the ER and then sleeping next to my sick son as he tossed, turned and gibbered in his sleep. Now that I find myself in my way to work I worry that I may be carrying the bug without yet knowing it: as a result I’ll try to be sure to practice good infection control to avoid getting anyone sick.
And yet, they’re is the bigger issue of worrying sick kids and getting sick oneself and not being able to care for them. Yes, I know that sickness is inescapable in samsara but, when it strikes, it always seems to come as a surprise.
Looking for teachings I came across this:
“If sickness comes be glad -may it substitute for the sickness of all embodiment.” When this kind of aspiration is made, we state a dedication that the pain and loss caused by our sickness goes to pay off our karmic debts.
https://www.pemakhandro.org/buddhist-advice-for-carrying-illness-onto-the-path/
Posted in Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Dukkha, Theravada, Tibetan Buddhism | Tags: karma, purification, sickness
I have been battling with resentment and anger as we tend to two sick kids. My wife seems to be more irascible than the usual and the criticisms and contempt are more pointed.
But, who’s problem is this? Am I going to “fix” her? Does she even need fixing? And, if so, how could that be my concern as the worldling that I am?
If you cannot make use of every condition that arises, both undesirable and desirable, you are in danger of losing the Dharma, and you will never achieve the unsurpassed and lasting happiness of enlightenment.
Excerpt from: “Transforming Problems into Happiness” by Thubten Zopa.
Posted in Bodhisattvayana, Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Dukkha, Family Life, Lojong, Parenting, Theravada, Tibetan Buddhism | Tags: difficulty as path, lama Zopa
Watching my intention to see for myself just how often I am motivated solely by selfish concerns. Not surprisingly, almost everything I do is based on a selfish desire with little regard for others. As a result I’m trying to see if I can attenuate those less than noble intentions and try to reframe my motives in a more compassionate manner. In other words, I’ll try to stop being so damn selfish and put others first.
Posted in Bodhisattvayana, Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Karuna, Theravada, Tibetan Buddhism | Tags: compassionate, intention
“Throughout my many lives and until this moment, whatever virtue I have accomplished, including the merit generated by this practice, and all that I will ever attain, this I offer for the welfare of sentient beings.”
Excerpt from: “Tonglen for Our Own Suffering: 7 Variations on an Ancient Practice” by Swami Girijananda.
Ever since I renounced tonglen practice I have felt as if I have come unmoored. Perhaps it is simply an accident of fate but it seems like the feeling of being adrift took root as a result of giving up giving and taking. And why would that be? I really have no idea because nothing makes sense when I try to reason through it but maybe it has something to do with cutting that connection to others.
Once I had decided to protect myself from the “damage” of others’ suffering I cut off my vital connection to them and to my heart. So, it seems that I was premature in my renunciation.
Posted in Bodhisattvayana, Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, Karuna, Lojong, mahayana, Theravada, Tibetan Buddhism | Tags: compassion, suffering, Tonglen
I keep looking for a quote wherein a bodhisattva makes an asseveration not to abandon beings but I have yet to find it. I guess little old, wayward and confused would-be bodhisattva has to make the declaration myself. As imperfect as I am and as full of defilements as I can be I vow not to forsake beings for anything less than the attainment of samma sambodhi.
The fear of suffering is great and I know I will have to endure eons in hell realms but, seeing my own suffering, how can I not work for the benefit of others’? I am told daily that I am a selfish and inconsiderate person so I almost shudder to think of how many millions of lives stretch out before me until I can even meet a Buddha before whom I may ask for a prediction.
May I never abandon beings until I win complete liberation and declare a new dispensation for the benefit of all beings and to lead devas and humans to the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana.
Posted in Bodhisattvayana, Buddha, Buddhism, Dhamma, mahayana, Theravada, Tibetan Buddhism | Tags: abandon, forsake, suffering
Live your life in whatever manner enables you to practice mindfulness of the Buddha. Renounce everything that interferes with remembrance through recitation.
If you can’t utter the Name while living in just one place, become a vagabond and recite. If it is difficult because you constantly travel, then establish a fixed residence and recite. If you are under monastic vows and have trouble reciting because of them, resume the householder’s life. If you can’t practice as a householder, abandon the home life.
If you are living alone and it doesn’t work, try to find a companion, a fellow cultivator who will encourage you. But if reciting with others is a hindrance, then live by yourself. Should you be prevented from reciting by the necessity of securing food and clothing, accept the charity of others and continue your practice. And if no one will help you, then get by somehow, but…
View original post 94 more words
There are many “enemies” of mudita, mental tendencies that make it very difficult for us to feel joy for others. The primary obstacles are greed and envy.
Greed is not only our desire to have more than others, but it has the added flavor of insisting on having the exclusive rights to our desirable qualities, to our achievements, and to our possessions. Greed spawns guardedness at best and suspicion at worse as we try to protect the things we have gained and prevent others from having those things. Think Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol.”
Envy is our inability to be happy for someone else’s good fortune. In fact, when envy is present, we can’t even endure others’ happiness. Envy is not only rooted in a deep scarcity mentality, but it is also fueled by not believing in ourselves. It also causes us to dwell endlessly on all the things we don’t have, which further erodes our happiness and could lead to very unskillful behaviors that cause harm.
In her book “Lovingkindness,” Sharon Salzberg highlights a few more tendencies that move us further away from one another including: being judgmental, demeaning others, endlessly comparing ourselves to others, and prejudice.
Many of these tendencies are reinforced by our culture. Not only do we sow our own seeds of discontent when we indulge in these mental impulses, but those around us, especially those in our “tribes,” tend to water those seeds by piling on and reinforcing our views. We see this all over social media. The result is that no matter how much we dig into our camps, we never seem to feel any better. There is always an enemy to fight against, and we never feel secure in ourselves.
https://medium.com/@satiJen/mudita-bhavana-cultivating-happiness-through-the-joy-of-others-dfb7faf19ebc
Improving Lives through Generosity
A hub for the music, culture, knowledge, and practice of Irish stick-fighting, past and present.
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 