- The daily morning prayer of 18th century Hasidic Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk
"May I see the good traits of others and not their defects."
- The daily morning prayer of 18th century Hasidic Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk When we grasp at the practice, expecting a benefit or result, that is attachment. Attachment is always accompanied by agitation, which is a tendency to distraction, and involves perpetual frustration, preventing absorption in the practice. When we evenly place the mind in —not on— the practice, that is concentration. - Tashi Nyima
Approach your mind the way a spy approaches his target. Spy on your mind. Get to know everything about it: what it is thinking, planning, acting out; whether it is working for good or causing harm - and carefully work to interfere when the mind is being negative. - Lama Zopa Rinpoche
One of the most ancient and powerful mantras is Om Namah Shivaya. It is said that by chanting it, one sends positive energy to the Cosmos, which will echo back to you in stronger forms. Here are six benefits of chanting Om Namah Shivaya:
Just for the next 24 hours why not try to see more of your pluses
rather than the minuses; more of your many positives rather than a few negatives. - Victor M. Parachin Indian Railways, India's national railway system operated by the Ministry of Railways, has reintroduced the Buddhist Circuit special train service, also known as the Mahaparinirvan Express, building on its successful run last year. The service travels to destinations associated with the life of the historical Buddha in India and Nepal over eight days, beginning and terminating at Safdarjung railway station in South Delhi.
According to The Indian Rail Catering and Tourism Corp (IRCTC), the service, which this year started running on 19 October, covers key pilgrimage destinations that include: Lumbini in Nepal, the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha; Bodh Gaya, the site where the Buddha attained enlightenment; and Sarnath, the location of the Buddha’s first sermon, Kushinagar, the place of the Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana. It also takes in other Buddhist destinations, such as Nalanda, Rajgir, and Shravasti. A stop at Agra is also included in the itinerary, allowing passengers to visit the iconic Taj Mahal, an immense mausoleum of white marble commissioned by the Emperor Shah Jahan (r. 1628–58) in memory of his wife. The IRCTC introduced the Mahaparinirvan Express for spiritual tourism using rolling stock from the Rajdhani Express, one of the fastest trains in India, and the service takes its name from the Mahaparinirvana of the historical Buddha. The Mahaparinirvan Express is fully air conditioned and offers different classes of travel: a first class AC carriages with 96 seats, two-tier AC carriages with 60 seats, and two exclusive dining cars each with a capacity of 64 guests. (read more: www.buddhistdoor.net) There’s nothing wrong with acquisitions, but there’s something wrong with thinking they’ll bring you happiness. - Alan Wallace
The sun rises, the sun sets—it’s impossible to hold onto the day or night. Enjoy what comes and be at peace with what doesn't. - Roger Gabriel
Buddhist author Tara Brach makes this observation which most of us can relate to: "Evolution has rigged all of us with a negativity bias—a survival-driven habit to scan for what’s wrong and fixate on it." Ms. Brach adds that our negativity bias is quite expansive: "We habitually fixate on how we’re falling short—in our relationships, work, appearance, mood, and behaviors. And while self-aversion is our primary reflex, we also fixate on the faults of others—how they’re letting us down and how they should be different."
She offers these ways to disconnect from the negative:
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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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