| Thought for the day: September 1, 2007 We allow meditation to happen when we get out of the way long enough to catch a glimpse of the mind's natural state. |
| Thought for the day: September 4, 2007 "Remove the impunities of the self, little by little, bit by bit. and from time to time," from sayings of the Buddha in the Dharmapada. Each individual must work within his own capacity, striking a balance between striving beyond one's capacity and laxity. |
| Thought for the day: September 5, 2007 Progress made on the Path must be carefully protected; it is easily lost through laxity. |
| Thought for the day: September 7, 2007 When Buddhist say "all is empty," they do not mean that they do not exist at all. What they do mean is that things do not exist the way that they appear. We tend to think that objects are capable of standing alone, independent of anything else, and that are world is filled with such objects. Buddhists, however, say that all these objects we see are relative to each other and cannot exist in isolation. It is because of this that they are empty, and it is said that while existing for all practical purposes; if analyzed they do not exist in isolation and are dependent on many factors, as well. Part of the confusion that leads us into thinking that objects are real substantially existing entities is due to the process of naming. We impute names to the objects of the world and assume that the name stands for a real object; but it does not. Not seeing clearly the interdependence of things, we are easily overwhelmed in a world that appears to be filled with individual and separate objects. This viewpoint carries on to ourselves and we see ourselves as separate from all the other living beings on the planet and this leads to selfish viewpoints and all our problems. |
| Thought for the day: September 13, 2007 If, when the mind is free and disengaged, we give rise to inquiry, then we will become less vulnerable to unwanted thoughts that overwhelm the mind in fruitless distraction. |
| Thought for the day: September 14, 2007 As dharma practitioners we aspire to practice conditioned dharmas to arrive at unconditioned dharmas. In the beginning we may practice generosity because it is the right thing to do; but as time goes on, if we are sincere, we will become a generous person. All dharmas are like this. |
| Thought for the day: September 16, 2007 If you know an entire sutra or more, teach that. If you know a page, teach that, If you know a paragraph, teach that, If you only know one sentence of dharma, teach that. But, don't teach unless asked. |
| Thought for the day: September 21, 2007 The Buddha said in the Dharmapada: Hatred only hurts the hater. Hatred and anger hurt the one who holds these dispositions far more than the target. Often the one who is the target of our anger and hatred could care less how we feel. Also, in the course of a life enemies can become friends and friends can become enemies. Knowing that it is far better to treat others equally. As a monk my Teacher always paired up people who did not get along well for various tasks. Those who bring out the worst in us are really doing us a favor by allowing us to see what we might otherwise keep buried. The important thing is to see the negativity arise as in a mirror, but just look at it and see it for what it is, without allowing negative action to arise from it. |
Look at the space separating thoughts and work to expand that gap. |
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