Someone asked me today what it was that I did that helped me to overcome my depression. I feel they were looking for a quick answer that was gonna just click right away but it wasn't that easy. Or could it have been. The answer I did give them though was that I replaced my depression with Right Mindfulness. I'm not sure if that helped to clarify anything for them or just make them have more questions. For those who aren't familiar with Right Mindfulness or the Noble Eightfold Path I would like to take this time to share with you the wonderful way Buddha taught it for the very first time to his very first disciples. It's a great teaching from one of my favorite books. "Old Path White clouds" by Thich Nhat Hanh and here it is:
"my brothers, there are two extremes that a person on the path should avoid. One is to plunge oneself into sensual pleasures, and the other is to practice austerities which deprive the body of its needs. Both of these extremes lead to failure. The path I have discovered is the Middle Way, which avoids both extremes and has the capacity to lead one to understanding, liberation, and peace.
"Brothers, why do I call this path the Right Path? I call it the Right Path because it does not avoid or deny suffering, but allows for a direct confrontation with suffering as the means to overcome it. The Noble Eightfold Path is the path of living in awareness. Mindfulness is the foundation. By practicing mindfulness, you can develop concentration which enables you to attain Understanding. Thanks to right concentration, you realize right awareness, thoughts, speech, action, livelihood, and effort. The Understanding which develops can liberate you from every shackle of suffering and give birth to true peace and joy.
"Brothers, there are four truths: the existence of suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path which leads to the cessation of suffering. I call these the Four Noble Truths. The first is the existence of suffering. Birth, old age, sickness, and death are suffering. Sadness, anger, jealousy, worry, anxiety, fear, and despair are suffering. Separation from loved ones is suffering. Association with those you hate is suffering. Desire, attachment, and clinging to the five aggregates are suffering.
"Brothers, the second truth is the cause of suffering. Because of ignorance, people cannot see the truth about life, and they become caught in the flames of desire, anger, grief, worry, fear and despair.
"Brothers, the third truth is the cessation of suffering. Understanding the truth of life brings about the cessation of every grief and sorrow and gives rise to peace and joy.
"Brothers, the fourth truth is the path which leads to the cessation of suffering. It is the Noble Eightfold Path, which I have just explained. The Noble Eightfold Path is nourished by living mindfully. Mindfulness leads to concentration and understanding which liberates you from every pain and sorrow and leads to peace and joy. I will guide you along this path of realization."
It's truly amazing how simple it actually is but yet we make it so hard. It took me a long time practice this even though I convinced myself I knew and understood it. The bottom line I guess is this, we can all say we want to be happy and read books and positive stories but until we actually put what we learn to practice, everyday, and focus our minds on understanding and being mindful, the peace and joy we are always looking for will just remain dangling in front of us waiting for the day we embrace it.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Little Squares
I absolutely love these tiles. On second day of tiling now. Today I worked on master bath floor. Put down about 10,000 of these little 1/2" by 1/2" mosaics. Granted they're mostly on 1' square sheets but still very time consuming but very rewarding and enjoyable. Yesterday I got the seahorse up on the hall bath shower wall. Don't want to reveal that though until I finish shower completely. Gonna leave you in suspense. lol
I was thinking today while tiling that it is a lot like practicing dharma. When I first started tiling many years ago, it was hard, stressing, and took every bit of my focus. Now as the years have passed it still has it's moments but for the most part is much less stressful and I'm much more relaxed and comfortable with the work. But as with Dharma, don't get to full of yourself and think you don't need to keep practicing. Lose focus with either and the cause and effects will ripple like a wave in an ocean.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Dont Judge
I've always been a strong believer of not judging a book by it's cover and I try very hard not to put labels on people. But every once in a while I still have the tendency to do just that. I bring this up because for the past three years I have labeled and misjudged someone who lives close to me. We've had a few displeasurable moments over the years and it put a bad taste in my mouth. I never shut him off and never treated him unkindly but still never let myself be open to an unbias decision of who I thought he was and was about. But life as you might know it has a funny way of slapping you in the face every so often. Okay, maybe more often than we want to admit.
As I was returning home from walking my dog (Chloe) tonight we happened to bump into my neighbor. We started up a bit of idle chatter that I'm not a real fan of but I'm glad I did. What started as just a few words turned into a very deep conversation on physics and Buddhism. We were both dumb founded since, as I just learned, he pretty much misjudged me as I did him. It's quite strange how two people with such same beliefs and views and whom both enjoy deep debates and conversations live so close but yet are so separated by our ego's delusions of whom we think the other is.
I guess the point of my rambling is this and it's quite simple, keep your mind open and don't label. We are all one. Love each as if they were your mother, father or child, becuase one day they or you may be just that. Hope everyone has a very wonderful evening. Love you all. And to my neighbor Willie, my aplogies and a deep bow _/\_
As I was returning home from walking my dog (Chloe) tonight we happened to bump into my neighbor. We started up a bit of idle chatter that I'm not a real fan of but I'm glad I did. What started as just a few words turned into a very deep conversation on physics and Buddhism. We were both dumb founded since, as I just learned, he pretty much misjudged me as I did him. It's quite strange how two people with such same beliefs and views and whom both enjoy deep debates and conversations live so close but yet are so separated by our ego's delusions of whom we think the other is.
I guess the point of my rambling is this and it's quite simple, keep your mind open and don't label. We are all one. Love each as if they were your mother, father or child, becuase one day they or you may be just that. Hope everyone has a very wonderful evening. Love you all. And to my neighbor Willie, my aplogies and a deep bow _/\_
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sky's on fire!
So, if you're driving home or to work or just out and about and look up and see a beautiful sky, take the time to enjoy it. And if you are like me and carry a camera every where you go, take a picture and share it with someone. Don't take life for granted. There are magnificent wonders in this world. Appreciate them. Stop. Smell the roses. Look at the sunrises, the sunsets, the birds, the clouds. Watch the rain, enjoy the snow. Stop complaining. Have some patience and enjoy life. On my way home from work after stopping at Target to get my son some medicine I was walking to my car and noticed that the house across from me way up on the hill had its windows lit up so beautifully orange. I knew that what those windows were enjoying was something I too wanted to enjoy. I drove around, up the hill and found what they were glaring at. Pulled over, rolled down my window and snapped a pick to share with you. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I know a picture is not as real as the experience, but it's nice just the same. Hope you have a wonderful night and enjoy life's little treasures.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Bits and Pieces
So this week I started a new bathroom remodel. Pretty excited. Doing all mosaics. Shower walls will be 1/2" x 1/2" mosaics incorporating a 3' x 4' seahorse and will add representations of coral and bubbles as well. I'll post before and afters once finished. Thursday when I was smashing up the 1970's tiles off the floor I snapped a shot then tricked it a bit in photoshop. Just kinda liked it.
This weekend was nice. Our son stayed with his friends and did the Halloween thing with them. My wife and I took our daughter to my brother's house and did the trick or treating with my nieces. Good times. Don't have any pics to share yet since I only brought my crappy point and click. Not a fan of always luggin my SLR around, although I should get back into the habit. Today was nice. Hung out with my girl all day. Did some breakfast and out and aboutin'.
Now we're trying to all agree on what to have for dinner. Never an easy decision in our house. lol Did buy a new book today. Picked up "The Shack" by Paul Young. So far so good, I'll keep you posted. Hope everyone has a wonderful night and may we all approach our obstacles with an open and compassionate mind. Peace to all.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
An afternoon in the woods
I've always been an avid fan of nature. I can think back to my childhood and have fond memories of wandering around in the woods for no reason but just to be. To this day, nothing is better. Today I let a few small obstacles almost get the best of me, but thanks to my old friend Mother Nature, I was able to have my spirits lifted.
My good friend Vinny told me I should start taking pictures again. If you don't know me, I used to carry my camera around every where I went. For some reason, one day, I just stopped taking pictures. Today, when I went for my unexpected afternoon hike I decided to take my good friend's advice. Here are a few of my favorites. Hope you enjoy and may you have a wonderful evening.
My good friend Vinny told me I should start taking pictures again. If you don't know me, I used to carry my camera around every where I went. For some reason, one day, I just stopped taking pictures. Today, when I went for my unexpected afternoon hike I decided to take my good friend's advice. Here are a few of my favorites. Hope you enjoy and may you have a wonderful evening.
Monday, October 19, 2009
THE OLD PHONE ON THE WALL
This story was sent to me from one of the most kind persons one could ever meet. Nancy has touched the root of my life as the woman in this story had touched Wayne's. Please take the time to read this. May you have a wonderful life full of compassion towards All.
When I was a young boy, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood.. I remember the polished, old case fastened to the wall. The shiny receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when my mother talked to it.
Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person. Her name was "Information Please" and there was nothing she did not know. Information Please could supply anyone's number and the correct time.
My personal experience with the genie-in-a-bottle came one day while my mother was visiting a neighbor. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer, the pain was terrible, but there seemed no point in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy.
I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway. The telephone! Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver in the parlor and held it to my ear.
"Information, please" I said into the
mouthpiece just above my head.
A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear.
"Information."
"I hurt my finger..." I wailed into the phone, the tears came readily enough
now that I had an audience.
"Isn't your mother home?" came the question.
"Nobody's home but me," I blubbered.
"Are you bleeding?" the voice asked.
"No,"
I replied. "I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts."
"Can you open the icebox?" she asked.
I said I could.
"Then chip off a little bit of ice and hold it to your finger," said the voice..
After that, I called "Information Please" for everything.. I asked her for
help with my geography, and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my math.
She told me my pet chipmunk that I had caught in the park just the day before, would eat fruit and nuts.
Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary, died. I called, Information Please," and told her the sad story. She listened, and then said things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was not consoled. I asked her, "Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?"
She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, " Wayne , always remember that there are other worlds to sing in."
Somehow I felt better.
Another day I was on the telephone, "Information Please."
"Information," said in the now familiar voice. "How do I spell fix?"
I asked.
All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest . When I was nine years old, we moved across the country to Boston . I missed my friend very much.
"Information Please" belonged in that old wooden box back home and I
somehow never thought of trying the shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall. As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me...
Often, in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.
A few years later, on my way west to college, my plane put down in Seattle . I had about a half-hour or so between planes. I spent 15 minutes or so on the phone with my sister, who lived there now. Then without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown operator and said, "Information Please."
Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well.
"Information."
I hadn't planned this, but I heard myself saying,
"Could you please tell me how to spell fix?"
There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, "I guess your finger must have healed by now."
I laughed, "So it's really you," I said. "I wonder if you have any
idea how much you meant to me during that time?"
I wonder," she said, "if you know how much your call meant to me.
I never had any children and I used to look forward to your calls."
I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister.
"Please do", she said. "Just ask for Sally."
Three months later I was back in Seattle . A different voice answered,
"Information."
I asked for Sally.
"Are you a friend?" she said.
"Yes, a very old friend," I answered.
"I'm sorry to have to tell you this,"She said. "Sally had been working part time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago."
Before I could hang up, she said, "
Wait a minute, did you say your name was Wayne ?" "
Yes." I answered.
"Well, Sally left a message for you..
She wrote it down in case you called.
Let me read it to you."
The note said,
"Tell him there are other worlds to sing in.
He'll know what I mean."
I thanked her and hung up. I knew what Sally meant.
Never underestimate the impression you may make on others..
Whose life have you touched today?
Why not pass this on? I just did....
Lifting you on eagle's wings.
May you find the joy and peace you long for.
Life is a journey... NOT a guided tour..
When I was a young boy, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood.. I remember the polished, old case fastened to the wall. The shiny receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when my mother talked to it.
Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person. Her name was "Information Please" and there was nothing she did not know. Information Please could supply anyone's number and the correct time.
My personal experience with the genie-in-a-bottle came one day while my mother was visiting a neighbor. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer, the pain was terrible, but there seemed no point in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy.
I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway. The telephone! Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver in the parlor and held it to my ear.
"Information, please" I said into the
mouthpiece just above my head.
A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear.
"Information."
"I hurt my finger..." I wailed into the phone, the tears came readily enough
now that I had an audience.
"Isn't your mother home?" came the question.
"Nobody's home but me," I blubbered.
"Are you bleeding?" the voice asked.
"No,"
I replied. "I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts."
"Can you open the icebox?" she asked.
I said I could.
"Then chip off a little bit of ice and hold it to your finger," said the voice..
After that, I called "Information Please" for everything.. I asked her for
help with my geography, and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my math.
She told me my pet chipmunk that I had caught in the park just the day before, would eat fruit and nuts.
Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary, died. I called, Information Please," and told her the sad story. She listened, and then said things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was not consoled. I asked her, "Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?"
She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, " Wayne , always remember that there are other worlds to sing in."
Somehow I felt better.
Another day I was on the telephone, "Information Please."
"Information," said in the now familiar voice. "How do I spell fix?"
I asked.
All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest . When I was nine years old, we moved across the country to Boston . I missed my friend very much.
"Information Please" belonged in that old wooden box back home and I
somehow never thought of trying the shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall. As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me...
Often, in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.
A few years later, on my way west to college, my plane put down in Seattle . I had about a half-hour or so between planes. I spent 15 minutes or so on the phone with my sister, who lived there now. Then without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown operator and said, "Information Please."
Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well.
"Information."
I hadn't planned this, but I heard myself saying,
"Could you please tell me how to spell fix?"
There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, "I guess your finger must have healed by now."
I laughed, "So it's really you," I said. "I wonder if you have any
idea how much you meant to me during that time?"
I wonder," she said, "if you know how much your call meant to me.
I never had any children and I used to look forward to your calls."
I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister.
"Please do", she said. "Just ask for Sally."
Three months later I was back in Seattle . A different voice answered,
"Information."
I asked for Sally.
"Are you a friend?" she said.
"Yes, a very old friend," I answered.
"I'm sorry to have to tell you this,"She said. "Sally had been working part time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago."
Before I could hang up, she said, "
Wait a minute, did you say your name was Wayne ?" "
Yes." I answered.
"Well, Sally left a message for you..
She wrote it down in case you called.
Let me read it to you."
The note said,
"Tell him there are other worlds to sing in.
He'll know what I mean."
I thanked her and hung up. I knew what Sally meant.
Never underestimate the impression you may make on others..
Whose life have you touched today?
Why not pass this on? I just did....
Lifting you on eagle's wings.
May you find the joy and peace you long for.
Life is a journey... NOT a guided tour..
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Samaya - why it is important
I can listen to Tsem Tulku talk all day. Was just discussing samaya with my very good friend today and now I find this. Another must post. Be true to yourself, be true to your Guru. And as always, be compassionate to ALL BEINGS. Enjoy.
Tsem Tulku Rinpoche - Ganden Lhagyama
Absolutely fantastic. This teaching is part of my daily practice and to have the it taught through H.E. Tsem Tulku and to hear it chanted is absolutely moving. I am so glad I came across this and I hope you enjoy it as well.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Please keep your dogma on a leash.
I frequently get approached by people who feel they need to share thier dogmatic views with me. For the most part I simply listen compassionately, for it would be rude of me to tell them be quiet or stop.
Once in a while though their motivation is just not right and their dogmatic views and opinions are quite hard to listen to. In these instances I merely nodd, remain silent, and walk away. When these times arise I am always reminded of one of my favorite dharma teachings that was discussed between Lord Buddha and Dighanakha. It goes as follows:
...Attachment to views is the greatest impediment to the spiritual path. Bound to narrow views, one becomes so entangled that it is no longer possible to let the door of truth open.
“Let me tell you a story about a young widower who lived with his five-year-old son. He cherished his son more than his own life. One day he left his son at home while he went out on business. When he was gone, brigands came and robbed and burned the entire village. They kidnapped his son. When the man returned home, he found the charred corpse of a young child lying beside his burned house. He took it to be the body of his own son. He wailed in grief and cremated what was left of the corpse. Because he loved his son so dearly, he put the ashes in a bag which he carried with him everywhere he went. Several months later, his son managed to escape from the brigands and make his way home. He arrived in the middle of the night and knocked at the door. At that moment, the father was hugging the bag of ashes and weeping. He refused to open the door even when the child called out that he was the man's son. He believed that his own son was dead and that the child at the door was some neighborhood child mocking his grief. Finally, his son had no choice but to wander off on his own. Thus the father and son lost each other forever.
“You see, my friend, if we are attached to some belief and hold it to be the absolute truth, we may one day find ourselves in a similar situation as the young widower. Thinking that we already possess the truth, even if the truth comes knocking at our door.”
Dighanakha asked, “But what of your own teaching? If someone follows your teaching will he become caught in narrow views?”
“My teaching is not a doctrine or a philosophy. It is not the result of discursive thought or mental conjecture like various philosophies which contend that the fundamental essence of the universe if fire, water, earth, wind, or spirit, or that the universe is either finite or infinite, temporal or eternal. Mental conjecture and discursive thought about truth are like ants crawling around the rim of a bowl – they never get anywhere. My teaching is not a philosophy. It is the result of direct experience. The things I say come from my own experience. You can confirm them all by your own experience. I teach that all things are impermanent and without separate self. This I have learned from my own direct experience. You can too. I teach that all things depend on all other things to arise, develop, and pass away. Nothing is created from a single, original source. I have directly experienced this truth and you can also. My goal is not to explain the universe, but to help guide others to have a direct experience of reality. Words cannot describe reality. Only direct experience enables us to see the true face of reality.”
Dighanakha exclaimed, “Wonderful, wonderful, Guatama! But what would happen if a person did perceive your teachings as a dogma?”
The Buddha was quiet for a moment and the nodded his head. “Dighanakha, that is a very good question. My teaching is not a dogma or a doctrine, but no doubt some people will take it is such. I must state clearly that my teaching is a method to experience reality and not reality itself, just as a finger pointing at the moon is not the moon itself. An intelligent person makes use of the finger to see the moon. A person who only looks at the finger and mistakes it for the moon will never see the real moon. My teaching is a means of practice, not something to hold onto or worship. My teaching is like a raft used to cross the river. Only a fool would carry the raft around after he had already reached the other shore, the shore of liberation.”
Dighanakha joined his palms. “Please, Lord Buddha, show me how to be liberated from painful feelings.”
The Buddha said, “There are three kinds of feelings – pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral. All three have roots in the perceptions of mind and body. Feelings arise and pass away like any other mental or material phenomena. I teach the method of looking deeply in order to illuminate the nature and source of feelings, whether they are pleasant, unpleasant or neutral. When you can see the source of your feelings, you will understand their nature. You will see that feelings are impermanent, and gradually you will remain undisturbed by their arising and passing away. Almost all painful feelings have their source in an incorrect way of looking at reality. When you uproot erroneous views, suffering ceases. Erroneous views cause people to consider the impermanent to be permanent. Ignorance is the source of all suffering. We practice the way of awareness in order to overcome ignorance. One must look deeply into things in order to penetrate their true nature. One cannot overcome ignorance through prayers and offerings.”
If you enjoyed this teaching and wish to read the whole thing and many more beautiful teachings on the dharma than I truly suggest you read Old Path White Clouds, by Thich Naht Hanh. A truly wonderful book that belongs in the library of any dharma practioner.
May you have a wonderful day and may you approach all your obstacles with a compassionate and open mind. Om Mani Pedme Hung.
Once in a while though their motivation is just not right and their dogmatic views and opinions are quite hard to listen to. In these instances I merely nodd, remain silent, and walk away. When these times arise I am always reminded of one of my favorite dharma teachings that was discussed between Lord Buddha and Dighanakha. It goes as follows:
...Attachment to views is the greatest impediment to the spiritual path. Bound to narrow views, one becomes so entangled that it is no longer possible to let the door of truth open.
“Let me tell you a story about a young widower who lived with his five-year-old son. He cherished his son more than his own life. One day he left his son at home while he went out on business. When he was gone, brigands came and robbed and burned the entire village. They kidnapped his son. When the man returned home, he found the charred corpse of a young child lying beside his burned house. He took it to be the body of his own son. He wailed in grief and cremated what was left of the corpse. Because he loved his son so dearly, he put the ashes in a bag which he carried with him everywhere he went. Several months later, his son managed to escape from the brigands and make his way home. He arrived in the middle of the night and knocked at the door. At that moment, the father was hugging the bag of ashes and weeping. He refused to open the door even when the child called out that he was the man's son. He believed that his own son was dead and that the child at the door was some neighborhood child mocking his grief. Finally, his son had no choice but to wander off on his own. Thus the father and son lost each other forever.
“You see, my friend, if we are attached to some belief and hold it to be the absolute truth, we may one day find ourselves in a similar situation as the young widower. Thinking that we already possess the truth, even if the truth comes knocking at our door.”
Dighanakha asked, “But what of your own teaching? If someone follows your teaching will he become caught in narrow views?”
“My teaching is not a doctrine or a philosophy. It is not the result of discursive thought or mental conjecture like various philosophies which contend that the fundamental essence of the universe if fire, water, earth, wind, or spirit, or that the universe is either finite or infinite, temporal or eternal. Mental conjecture and discursive thought about truth are like ants crawling around the rim of a bowl – they never get anywhere. My teaching is not a philosophy. It is the result of direct experience. The things I say come from my own experience. You can confirm them all by your own experience. I teach that all things are impermanent and without separate self. This I have learned from my own direct experience. You can too. I teach that all things depend on all other things to arise, develop, and pass away. Nothing is created from a single, original source. I have directly experienced this truth and you can also. My goal is not to explain the universe, but to help guide others to have a direct experience of reality. Words cannot describe reality. Only direct experience enables us to see the true face of reality.”
Dighanakha exclaimed, “Wonderful, wonderful, Guatama! But what would happen if a person did perceive your teachings as a dogma?”
The Buddha was quiet for a moment and the nodded his head. “Dighanakha, that is a very good question. My teaching is not a dogma or a doctrine, but no doubt some people will take it is such. I must state clearly that my teaching is a method to experience reality and not reality itself, just as a finger pointing at the moon is not the moon itself. An intelligent person makes use of the finger to see the moon. A person who only looks at the finger and mistakes it for the moon will never see the real moon. My teaching is a means of practice, not something to hold onto or worship. My teaching is like a raft used to cross the river. Only a fool would carry the raft around after he had already reached the other shore, the shore of liberation.”
Dighanakha joined his palms. “Please, Lord Buddha, show me how to be liberated from painful feelings.”
The Buddha said, “There are three kinds of feelings – pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral. All three have roots in the perceptions of mind and body. Feelings arise and pass away like any other mental or material phenomena. I teach the method of looking deeply in order to illuminate the nature and source of feelings, whether they are pleasant, unpleasant or neutral. When you can see the source of your feelings, you will understand their nature. You will see that feelings are impermanent, and gradually you will remain undisturbed by their arising and passing away. Almost all painful feelings have their source in an incorrect way of looking at reality. When you uproot erroneous views, suffering ceases. Erroneous views cause people to consider the impermanent to be permanent. Ignorance is the source of all suffering. We practice the way of awareness in order to overcome ignorance. One must look deeply into things in order to penetrate their true nature. One cannot overcome ignorance through prayers and offerings.”
If you enjoyed this teaching and wish to read the whole thing and many more beautiful teachings on the dharma than I truly suggest you read Old Path White Clouds, by Thich Naht Hanh. A truly wonderful book that belongs in the library of any dharma practioner.
May you have a wonderful day and may you approach all your obstacles with a compassionate and open mind. Om Mani Pedme Hung.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
A very nice debate entitled "I Love Myself"
A very wonderful discussion on the difference between spirituality and religion.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Tsem Tulku Rinpoche on Vegetarianism
The following is a Twitter stream by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche talking about Vegetarianism. I would like to share this with you as I too am a Vegetarian and feel more people need to show more compassion towards animals as they too are sentient beings. Enjoy and have a wonderful day.
In today's food variety in MOST countries, there's no need to eat flesh except out of grotesque enjoyment. That's 1 enjoyment let's forget. Being vegetarian isnt being holy. It is a sincere way to be compassionate and human in our daily lives. Animals cant protest. Animals can't speak/protest/or fight 4 rights.But that doesn't mean we can abuse/kill/eat them.Be kind 2 animals BECOZ ur human!! It's not enjoyable to kill 4 food! Why kill animals to eat, wear their skins,and use for medicines? We can produce synthetically.
Technology says we don't have 2 use animals for anything.They feel pain like us. They just can't talk. Would you kill a mute? Just cos something can't verbalize pain, doesn't mean they don't feel tremendous pain. We are in control. We've a choice not 2 give pain. Don't give pain to animals.Don't contribute to it as much as possible. Don't wait till another time to make a GOOD CHOICE. NOW!! We have such great variety of delicious foods to enjoy WITHOUT HAVING TO BARBARICALLY EAT CORPSES OF SLAIN ANIMALS. Plse care.
After not eating meat, you will feel the urge going away. Like any other harmful habits like drugs, cigarettes, booze, etc. Don't use the need for protein as an excuse to GORGE on slain animals please. There's so many other ways to get your protein. Animals doesn't exist for exploitation by humans. Nothing is to be exploited by human IN FACT, as it leads to self-destruction.
I don't eat meat partly 4 spiritual reasons,BUT MOSTLY 4 ETHICAL REASONS. It hurts to know how animals are painfully slaughtered. Let animals live. Let the arctics remain frozen. Let the oceans be unpolluted. Let trees grow. Let our greed lessen immediately. Selfishness leads 2 the imminent destruction of our planet. Use your 5 senses now 2 observe and realize. Start with yourself now.
Compassion is also extended to saving the animals, trees, arctics, global warming, oceans and environments. Start now! Environmental Pollution is definitely directly connected to inner-mental-pollution. Lessen greed, anger, selfishness & start now. Mentally challenged, mute & deaf persons share a quality like some animals. They can't express their pain/sufferings. Would You kill them? Just because a living being can't express their pain/sufferings doesn't mean u have the right to kill them & and use them. There's no justification logical, sensible enough 2 kill & eat animals. It's choice to ignore the logic because we're selfish.
Speak up, write about, create awareness & save animals. There's many ways 2 enhance & give purpose to our lives.This is one way!
In today's food variety in MOST countries, there's no need to eat flesh except out of grotesque enjoyment. That's 1 enjoyment let's forget. Being vegetarian isnt being holy. It is a sincere way to be compassionate and human in our daily lives. Animals cant protest. Animals can't speak/protest/or fight 4 rights.But that doesn't mean we can abuse/kill/eat them.Be kind 2 animals BECOZ ur human!! It's not enjoyable to kill 4 food! Why kill animals to eat, wear their skins,and use for medicines? We can produce synthetically.
Technology says we don't have 2 use animals for anything.They feel pain like us. They just can't talk. Would you kill a mute? Just cos something can't verbalize pain, doesn't mean they don't feel tremendous pain. We are in control. We've a choice not 2 give pain. Don't give pain to animals.Don't contribute to it as much as possible. Don't wait till another time to make a GOOD CHOICE. NOW!! We have such great variety of delicious foods to enjoy WITHOUT HAVING TO BARBARICALLY EAT CORPSES OF SLAIN ANIMALS. Plse care.
After not eating meat, you will feel the urge going away. Like any other harmful habits like drugs, cigarettes, booze, etc. Don't use the need for protein as an excuse to GORGE on slain animals please. There's so many other ways to get your protein. Animals doesn't exist for exploitation by humans. Nothing is to be exploited by human IN FACT, as it leads to self-destruction.
I don't eat meat partly 4 spiritual reasons,BUT MOSTLY 4 ETHICAL REASONS. It hurts to know how animals are painfully slaughtered. Let animals live. Let the arctics remain frozen. Let the oceans be unpolluted. Let trees grow. Let our greed lessen immediately. Selfishness leads 2 the imminent destruction of our planet. Use your 5 senses now 2 observe and realize. Start with yourself now.
Compassion is also extended to saving the animals, trees, arctics, global warming, oceans and environments. Start now! Environmental Pollution is definitely directly connected to inner-mental-pollution. Lessen greed, anger, selfishness & start now. Mentally challenged, mute & deaf persons share a quality like some animals. They can't express their pain/sufferings. Would You kill them? Just because a living being can't express their pain/sufferings doesn't mean u have the right to kill them & and use them. There's no justification logical, sensible enough 2 kill & eat animals. It's choice to ignore the logic because we're selfish.
Speak up, write about, create awareness & save animals. There's many ways 2 enhance & give purpose to our lives.This is one way!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Beneficial thoughts from Tsem Tulku
The following is from a stream of Tweets a few hours ago posted by H.E. Tsem Tulku. I am posting this for all of those who do not know of or follow H.E. and for hope that his words may benefit others as they always are a benefit to myself. Enjoy.
Compassion is when the focus on others pervade your made. Your wish to help them is not only short but long term thru skillful means...the ability to take on others burdens quietly but happily. When we take on the burdens for others, we still suffer. But it is a suffering without any suffering. Unpleasant situations are totally subjective and not objective. If it were truly objective, there could be no liberation from samsara. Since unpleasantness is subjective. We have to understand the nature of our minds and how it operates to remove unpleasantness. Changing places & ppl cant be the ultimate answer to removing unpleasantness since it is subjective.Hence mind is most important. Looking to remove unhappiness totally from external methods will not bring any success just temporary solutions. Hence forgive all. Forgiving opens the mind & allows you to take responsibility of situations, from that control of your lives arise & true freedom. Whenever I get upset or angry and perhaps do something I'll regret later, I just think, if this was the last day of my life,would I do this? Out of the 3 jewels, the most important jewel to focus on is Dharma Jewel. Adapting dharma jewel in our lives, then we will see change...big change, small change and a transformed disposition. Changing yourself doesn't mean your a bad negative person, it just means, you found a BETTER way of thinking and doing things. Ultimately Buddha's intention is not for us to suffer when we change. But to have much more happiness due to true change. So while we're changing, it's not the change that makes us suffer,it 's our resistance to a better method that makes us unhappy. Fear never rises from confidence and altruism. It arises from lack of self confidence and selfishness. Think about it. Practicing dharma and generating altruism is NATURAL & EASY. Abiding in selfishness is unnatural, alot of work and high maintenance. Think.. Using past abuse as a reason to abuse others is selfish laziness. One should instead heal by giving care and help to others. Abuses are never remedied by further abuses. So try what Buddha & Tsongkapa said,Forgive by taking responsibility & blame karma. Blaming karma makes you look at yourself deeper. Blaming others makes more anger arise which leads to loneliness/depression. Depression arises from a self absorbed mind that projects onto others our own limited views, narrow experiences and expectations. If you want to have self confidence and a light mind, start with Lam Rim, Tsongkapa and understanding of Karma. Today, forgive one person that has wronged you. You don't have to let them do it again. But wake up and forgive. Then see how you feel. Tsongkapa's Lamrim is specifically aimed at helping us gain control of our mind which is the cause of good and bad. The creator is the mind. Destruction arises from the mind. So it's worth our while to develop our mind daily. Lam Rim helps. The strongest malady in 21st Century is depression. Depression is from the mind. Hence a mind remedy is important. Try Tsongkapa. Tsongkapa's meditationa, mantra, practice is the BEST 21ST CENTURY cure for depression, self hate, and feeling of sadness. Migmey tsewey terchen chenresig, drimey kenpey wangpo jampeyang, dupung malu jomzey sangwey dag, gangchen kepey tsugyen Tsongkapa, lobsang trakpey shabla solwadeb. --sacred mantra of Tsongkapa. do 21x a day or more. Very helpful. Change doesn't make us suffer. Stubborness to change for the better makes us suffer at any age, any place and any situation. Change is natural becomes it is betterment. Stagnancy is unnatural. Hence what is unnatural breeds all the mind destruction. May His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, H.H. Gaden Tripa, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche ,Kyabje Zong Rinpoche & great beings live long. Whoever you take refuge with IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL JACKIE. I rejoice for you. Please hold your refuge vows and practice. After taking refuge, hold your vows, transform, study, collect merits and contemplate on impermanence of all lives. Buddhaworld, What do you think of a Tibetan Buddha?? Exactly, no difference. A Buddha is a Buddha. But make sure it's a Buddaha. Contemplating on the impermanence of our situation, objects of attachments, & our own lives strongly, makes the mind look for more..try it. Buddhaworld, Everyone needs a Buddha whether they are german or not. Google and do a search on Buddha Tsongkapa. It will suit you very well dear Buddhaworld. Try it. I've had so much difficulties in my life, humor was a good way to help accept and karma made me realize the causes. May some of my thoughts benefit someone. I have learned them from illustrious last of the great masters of this century.
Compassion is when the focus on others pervade your made. Your wish to help them is not only short but long term thru skillful means...the ability to take on others burdens quietly but happily. When we take on the burdens for others, we still suffer. But it is a suffering without any suffering. Unpleasant situations are totally subjective and not objective. If it were truly objective, there could be no liberation from samsara. Since unpleasantness is subjective. We have to understand the nature of our minds and how it operates to remove unpleasantness. Changing places & ppl cant be the ultimate answer to removing unpleasantness since it is subjective.Hence mind is most important. Looking to remove unhappiness totally from external methods will not bring any success just temporary solutions. Hence forgive all. Forgiving opens the mind & allows you to take responsibility of situations, from that control of your lives arise & true freedom. Whenever I get upset or angry and perhaps do something I'll regret later, I just think, if this was the last day of my life,would I do this? Out of the 3 jewels, the most important jewel to focus on is Dharma Jewel. Adapting dharma jewel in our lives, then we will see change...big change, small change and a transformed disposition. Changing yourself doesn't mean your a bad negative person, it just means, you found a BETTER way of thinking and doing things. Ultimately Buddha's intention is not for us to suffer when we change. But to have much more happiness due to true change. So while we're changing, it's not the change that makes us suffer,it 's our resistance to a better method that makes us unhappy. Fear never rises from confidence and altruism. It arises from lack of self confidence and selfishness. Think about it. Practicing dharma and generating altruism is NATURAL & EASY. Abiding in selfishness is unnatural, alot of work and high maintenance. Think.. Using past abuse as a reason to abuse others is selfish laziness. One should instead heal by giving care and help to others. Abuses are never remedied by further abuses. So try what Buddha & Tsongkapa said,Forgive by taking responsibility & blame karma. Blaming karma makes you look at yourself deeper. Blaming others makes more anger arise which leads to loneliness/depression. Depression arises from a self absorbed mind that projects onto others our own limited views, narrow experiences and expectations. If you want to have self confidence and a light mind, start with Lam Rim, Tsongkapa and understanding of Karma. Today, forgive one person that has wronged you. You don't have to let them do it again. But wake up and forgive. Then see how you feel. Tsongkapa's Lamrim is specifically aimed at helping us gain control of our mind which is the cause of good and bad. The creator is the mind. Destruction arises from the mind. So it's worth our while to develop our mind daily. Lam Rim helps. The strongest malady in 21st Century is depression. Depression is from the mind. Hence a mind remedy is important. Try Tsongkapa. Tsongkapa's meditationa, mantra, practice is the BEST 21ST CENTURY cure for depression, self hate, and feeling of sadness. Migmey tsewey terchen chenresig, drimey kenpey wangpo jampeyang, dupung malu jomzey sangwey dag, gangchen kepey tsugyen Tsongkapa, lobsang trakpey shabla solwadeb. --sacred mantra of Tsongkapa. do 21x a day or more. Very helpful. Change doesn't make us suffer. Stubborness to change for the better makes us suffer at any age, any place and any situation. Change is natural becomes it is betterment. Stagnancy is unnatural. Hence what is unnatural breeds all the mind destruction. May His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, H.H. Gaden Tripa, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche ,Kyabje Zong Rinpoche & great beings live long. Whoever you take refuge with IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL JACKIE. I rejoice for you. Please hold your refuge vows and practice. After taking refuge, hold your vows, transform, study, collect merits and contemplate on impermanence of all lives. Buddhaworld, What do you think of a Tibetan Buddha?? Exactly, no difference. A Buddha is a Buddha. But make sure it's a Buddaha. Contemplating on the impermanence of our situation, objects of attachments, & our own lives strongly, makes the mind look for more..try it. Buddhaworld, Everyone needs a Buddha whether they are german or not. Google and do a search on Buddha Tsongkapa. It will suit you very well dear Buddhaworld. Try it. I've had so much difficulties in my life, humor was a good way to help accept and karma made me realize the causes. May some of my thoughts benefit someone. I have learned them from illustrious last of the great masters of this century.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Atisha (11th century Tibetan Buddhist Master)
The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Obstacles
When life throws obstacles in your path don't panic or get upset. Instead be thankful for the opportunity to practice mindfullness and patience. Not every lesson life teaches you is fun or comes at the "right" time. When smacked in the face with problems.... take a minute and breath.. then smack it back with a compassionate solution. Have a wonderful day everyone.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Try a little silence
Stop. Be still. Remain silent.
Meditators should be seen, not heard.
Sssshhhh.
Sill all the senses.
Let everything be.
Let go, and let it all come to you.
Relax.
Being is in, doing is out.
Do nothing.
For a moment just be.
Silence is golden.
Enjoy it.
Meditators should be seen, not heard.
Sssshhhh.
Sill all the senses.
Let everything be.
Let go, and let it all come to you.
Relax.
Being is in, doing is out.
Do nothing.
For a moment just be.
Silence is golden.
Enjoy it.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Prayer of Peace
A friend of mine sent me a prayer of peace that they ended their loving kindness meditation with and i would like to share it with you if you don't mind. :
May I become at all times, both now and forever
A protector for those without protection
A guide for those who have lost their way
A ship for those with oceans to cross
A bridge for those who have rivers to cross
A sanctuary for those in danger
A lamp for those without light
A place of refuge for those who lack shelter
And a servant to all in need.
Hope you enjoyed this as I have. Until next time.. Om Mani Pedme Hung
May I become at all times, both now and forever
A protector for those without protection
A guide for those who have lost their way
A ship for those with oceans to cross
A bridge for those who have rivers to cross
A sanctuary for those in danger
A lamp for those without light
A place of refuge for those who lack shelter
And a servant to all in need.
Hope you enjoyed this as I have. Until next time.. Om Mani Pedme Hung
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