In Buddhism, adversity is a catalyst of growth. Feel grateful when confronted with adversity. Encounter it but do not seek after it. - Cheng Yen
Right now, it's like this!
A foundational teaching of the Buddha. Nothing is permanent. Everything is changing. That which is subject to arising is subject to passing. There is an alternating rhythm to life from positive to negative, good to bad, yin to yang. Understanding this reality, one must learn to just go with the flow and wait out the dark time. Everything is always changing. A popular modern mantra which reflects the wisdom of impermanence is this: Right now, it’s like this. That five word mantra can effectively cut through any feeling that one’s present circumstance is permanent. Don’t create stories around good and bad, about how things should be. Remember, shadows cannot be separated from light. - Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
When you are hurt by the words
and actions of others . . . Meditate on the earth! People urinate, defecate and vomit on the earth . . . But the earth never reacts or complains! It remains still, peaceful, tranquil. Be like the earth! - Victor M. Parachin Most people are familiar with the modern wisdom statement - ‘health is better than wealth’.
However, many merely think of health as the absence of illness and disease. Buddhism has an expansive view of health which involves the complete person - health of body, mind, and spirit. For that reason Buddhist texts consistently emphasizes moral and ethical cultivation. Here are five examples: 1. One should love those who are virtuous and take delight when others perform wholesome acts. One should never be envious. - Sutra on Auspicious and Inauspicious Conducts 2. Praise a person’s good deeds. Do not point out a person’s faults. Speak not of that which brings a person shame. Listen to a person’s secrets but tell no one. - Sugra on Upasaka Precepts 3. Always reflect on one’s own mistakes but do not remind others of their own shortcomings. - Sugra Vimalakirti 4. Constantly review your own behaviro but do not look at the shortcomings of others. Be harmonious and do not contend with others. - Moon Lamp Samadhi Sutra 5. Always speak kind words. Avoid negative or destructive speech. - Sutra of The Ten Great Dharma Wheels If something leads to well being, tranquility, happiness, peace and freedom, it must be a wisdom practice. - Ajahn Brahm
Many roads lead to the Path, but basically there are only two: reason and practice. - Bodhidharma
If you’re unable to stop eating meat, chicken, and fish all at once, try: 1) eating a vegetarian or vegan diet for one, two, or three days a week, 2) eating a meat-free breakfast or lunch every day, or 3) when friends and family visit for dinner, prepare a vegan or vegetarian meal. It’s better to begin taking animal products out of your diet incrementally than not to begin at all. - Bob Isaacson
Read his entire article that animals should be our friends not our food at: https://www.lionsroar.com/friends-not-food/ In her book, 10 Mindful Minutes, actor Goldie Hawn, tells of the point in her life when she felt completely overwhelmed by her life. Though it was at the height of professional success, she felt overwhelmed by her responsibilities combined with a deep sadness.
“My marriage was falling apart, and I keenly felt the loss of family and the fracturing of a dream. This was not what I wanted.” Knowing she needed help, Hawn saw a psychiatrist. After listening to her talk about how swamped and overwhelmed she felt, the psychiatrist said something which helped her change the way Hawn thought about herself. He said: “Who told you that you were some kind of goddess who could do everything? Is that who you think you are?” Because his words were given in the right tone and with the right spirit, she immediately recognized the wisdom and realized: “I had developed an inflated view of myself, believing that I could – and should – do it all. It came as such a relief to be given permission not to be perfect, to admit that I was human and flawed.” She learned to say “no” to the requests made of her and began making clearer, better choices about how she would spend her time. “I came to realize that the world wouldn’t fall apart if I removed myself from it.” In the Zen tradition, you’re as likely to be illuminated by accident as by practice. - Ephrat Livni
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Victor M. Parachin ...is aVedic educator, yoga instructor, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of a dozen books. Buy his books at amazon or your local bookstore. Archives
July 2024
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