(___)_)
~
When they came for the Fourth Amendment I didn't say anything
- because I had nothing to hide.
+ because I had nothing to hide.
When they came for the Second Amendment I didn't say anything
- because I didn't own a gun.
+ because I didn't own a gun.
When they came for the Fifth and Sixth Amendments I didn't say anything
- because I had committed no crimes.
+ because I had committed no crimes.
When they came for the First Amendment I couldn't say anything.
(taken from the Urine Nation News, spring/summer 1993, number 12, page 1)
all will be well along its banks.
The Integral Way depends on decreasing, not increasing:
- To correct your mind, rely on not-doing.
+ To correct your mind, rely on not-doing.
Decrease thinking and clinging to complications;
- keep your mind detached and whole.
+ keep your mind detached and whole.
Eliminate mental muddiness and obscurity;
- keep your mind crystal clear.
+ keep your mind crystal clear.
Avoid daydreaming and allow your pure original insight to emerge.
Quiet your emotions and abide in serenity.
Don't go crazy with the worship of idols, images, and ideas;
- this is like putting a new head on top of the head you already have.
+ this is like putting a new head on top of the head you already have.
Remember: if you can cease all restless activity,
- your integral nature will appear.
-
+ your integral nature will appear.
-- Hua Hu Ching -- 45
~
Dualistic thinking is a sickness.
Blind spirituality is unreal.
Chanting is no more holy than listening to the
- murmur of a stream, counting prayer beads no more
- sacred than simply breathing, religious robes no
- more spiritual than work clothes.
+ murmur of a stream, counting prayer beads no more
+ sacred than simply breathing, religious robes no
+ more spiritual than work clothes.
If you wish to attain oneness with the Tao, don't get
- caught up in spiritual superficialities.
+ caught up in spiritual superficialities.
Instead, live a quiet and simple life, free of ideas and
- concepts.
+ concepts.
Find contentment in the practice of undiscriminating
- virtue, the only true power.
+ virtue, the only true power.
Giving to others selflessly and anonymously, radiating
- light throughout the world and illuminating your
- own darkness, your virtue becomes a sanctuary for
- yourself and all beings.
+ light throughout the world and illuminating your
+ own darkness, your virtue becomes a sanctuary for
+ yourself and all beings.
This is what is meant by embodying the Tao.
| |\ \ / | |\ \ ``---'/ / | | ``---'
_/ / _| ) __/_/ / _| ) __/ / _| |
/,__/ /,__/ /,_/,__/_/,__/ /,__/ /,__/ tbk
-
-~
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- o "o oo " " $oo $$
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- o """""""" "o "o o"""" " "
- o $ o" $"
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- " o
- " " " "
-
~
Aw mom, you act like I'm not even wearing a bungie cord! -- Calvin
~
published by Shambhala Publications
~
The self-centered thought is not who we are. The self-centered thought is
-different from the mind that wants to be happy because we’re sentient
-beings. Everybody wants to be happy. There’s no problem with wanting to be
+different from the mind that wants to be happy because we're sentient
+beings. Everybody wants to be happy. There's no problem with wanting to be
happy. The problem is the way the self-centered thought goes about thinking
of our happiness and the way it goes about getting happiness. It is a
distorted mental state that can be eliminated by seeing its disadvantages,
applying the antidotes, and cultivating the mind that cherishes others.
- - Thubten Chodron, from "Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Living with
+ - Thubten Chodron, from "Don't Believe Everything You Think: Living with
Wisdom and Compassion", published by Shambhala Publications
~
According to the sutras, numerous eons ago, when the Buddha was an ordinary
of his past negative karma.
He and a companion were forced to pull a wheel of fire on which a wrathful
hell-guard was sitting, holding a burning club with which to beat them. His
-companion was so weak that he couldn’t pull the wheel anymore. The hell-
+companion was so weak that he couldn't pull the wheel anymore. The hell-
guard stabbed his companion with a burning trident. His companion kept crying
loudly and bleeding profusely. At that moment, with strong love and
compassion, the Buddha developed enlightened aspiration, a vow to take
cultivated bodhichitta, all the meritorious actions that are supported by and
complemented with this altruism—even the slightest form of positive
action—become causes for the achievement of omniscience.
- -- H. H. the Dalai Lama, from "The Fourteenth Dalai Lama in A Beginner’s
+ -- H. H. the Dalai Lama, from "The Fourteenth Dalai Lama in A Beginner's
Guide to Meditation: Practical Advice and Inspiration from Contemporary
Buddhist Teachers", published by Shambhala Publications
~
meaning in their human existence of leisure and opportunity. He asks those of
us with such good fortune, "Please listen to what I have to say with a
single-pointed mind."
- Again, this is strikingly similar to Aryadeva’s Four Hundred, which says
+ Again, this is strikingly similar to Aryadeva's Four Hundred, which says
that a practitioner of the Dharma who is listening to the teachings needs
three qualities: objectivity, critical intelligence, and a real interest in
what is being taught.
-- H. H. the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, in "From Here to Enlightenment: An
- Introduction to Tsong-kha-pa’s Classic Text The Great Treatise on the
+ Introduction to Tsong-kha-pa's Classic Text The Great Treatise on the
Stages of the Path to Enlightenment", published by Shambhala Publications
~
When we look back, at the time of death, the experience of this life will seem
of aggression, desire, selfishness, and jealousy? What is the use of holding
on to these useless emotions within impermanence? Impermanence is the nature
of everything.
- -- Khandro Rinpoche, from "Buddha’s Daughters: Teachings from Women Who
+ -- Khandro Rinpoche, from "Buddha's Daughters: Teachings from Women Who
Are Shaping Buddhism in the West", published by Shambhala Publications
~
Please listen without your minds wandering.
-- Excerpt from President Roosevelt's January 11, 1944 message to the
Congress of the United States on the State of the Union
~
- Whatever arises in our mind—whether it’s a thought, an emotion, a
+ Whatever arises in our mind—whether it's a thought, an emotion, a
sensation, or a perception—is the arising of coemergent wisdom. It is the
-radiation of the mind’s emptiness and clarity. Every arising is a temporary
+radiation of the mind's emptiness and clarity. Every arising is a temporary
arising—one thought comes and goes, then another thought comes and goes.
All our thoughts and emotions just appear and disappear.
This is very important, because we usually grasp at whatever occurs. For
instance, when sadness arises, we hold on to this feeling and think, “I am
so sad, I am so depressed.” But from the Mahamudra point of view, what has
happened? A feeling has arisen in the mind, like a cloud. Like a cloud, it
-appears and then it disappears, and that’s all there is to it. This time it
+appears and then it disappears, and that's all there is to it. This time it
is sadness arising, the next time it may be happiness, the next time it may be
anger, and later it may be kindness. All sorts of things arise, like
wildflowers in a spring meadow. All sorts of flowers grow; all sorts of
-thoughts and emotions arise. They are all okay; they’re nothing special.
+thoughts and emotions arise. They are all okay; they're nothing special.
When we understand what our thoughts and feelings are, and we experience them
in this way, we are able to let them come and let them go.
- -- Ringu Tulku, from "Confusion Arises as Wisdom: Gampopa’s Heart Advice on
+ -- Ringu Tulku, from "Confusion Arises as Wisdom: Gampopa's Heart Advice on
the Path of Mahamudra", published by Shambhala Publications
~
The second quality of devotion is absence of arrogance. The arrogant
best if you abandon any inauthentic approaches to ethical discipline, study,
and meditation.
-- Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, in "Parting from the Four Attachments: A
- Commentary on Jetsun Drakpa Gyaltsen’s Song of Experience on Mind
+ Commentary on Jetsun Drakpa Gyaltsen's Song of Experience on Mind
Training and the View", published by Shambhala Publications
+~
+If what appears to be apprehended does not exist by its very own essence apart
+from that which apprehends it, then what appears to be the apprehender does
+not exist either. The reason, here, is that the apprehender exists in
+relation to the apprehended, not in isolation. Therefore, awareness is devoid
+of both apprehender and apprehended, in all their various forms. Free from
+subject and object, by its very own nature awareness is a mere indescribable
+luminosity.
+ -- from "Distinguishing Phenomena from Their Intrinsic Nature: Maitreya's
+ Dharmadharmatavibhanga with Commentaries by Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham",
+ published by Shambhala Publications.
+~
+"Immediately join whatever you meet with meditation"
+
+ This slogan refers to the practice of transforming adverse circumstances
+and situations into the path of awakening. It is a reminder not to respond to
+things in a habitual way, but rather to respond with understanding, openness,
+and courage by maintaining a sense of awareness. We shouldn't think of
+meditation as something we only do if we're sitting on a cushion, but should
+treat everyday situations as meditations by focusing our mind on whatever
+arises. There's nothing we can't utilize for our own and others'
+benefit if we use both fortunate and unfortunate circumstances to train the
+mind.
+ -- Traleg Kyabgon, "The Practice of Lojong: Cultivating Compassion through
+ Training the Mind", published by Shambhala Publications.
+~
+O monks, you should focus on four things. What are these four? To focus on
+the teachings and not focus on the individual; to focus on the meaning and not
+focus on the words; to focus on timeless awareness and not focus on ordinary
+consciousness; and to focus on the definitive meaning and not focus on the
+meaning that guides. These four things are things to be realized; they are
+not four kinds of spiritual individuals.
+ -- Jamgön Kongtrul, from "The Treasury of Knowledge: Book Seven and Book
+ Eight, Parts One and Two: Foundations of Buddhist Study and Practice",
+ published by Shambhala Publications.
+~
+ One way to prevent mental suffering is to observe ourselves and figure out
+what triggers our problem. If we can identify what makes our blood pressure
+rise and causes us to feel upset, then we have taken a big step toward seeing
+the larger picture. With this wider perspective, there is less chance that we
+will jump back into an old habitual pattern that only makes us feel bad.
+ It is not that we have to stop going to all family holidays, but that we
+figure out ways to enjoy the parts that are enjoyable, like the delicious food
+and the chance to connect with people, and to feel more neutral and detached
+about the annoying or hurtful moments. We often place too many expectations
+and requirements on ourselves and those around us. We could give the
+situation a little space and see what develops. The kindest thing we can do
+in these situations is to remain calm and refrain from causing more
+difficulty.
+ -- Khenpo Gawang, from "Your Mind Is Your Teacher: Self-Awakening through
+ Contemplative Meditation", published by Shambhala Publications
+~
+ Those who wish to protect their practice should zealously guard the mind.
+The practice cannot be protected without guarding the unsteady mind.
+ Tigers, lions, elephants, bears, snakes, all enemies, all guardians of
+hells, evil spirits, and demons become controlled by controlling the mind
+alone. By subduing the mind alone, they all become subdued.
+ For the Propounder of the Truth said that all fears and immeasurable
+sufferings arise from the mind only.
+ -- Shantideva, "A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life", published by
+ Shambhala Publications
+~
+ Products are specially designed to catch the eye and captivate the mind.
+Because we focus on what else there is to acquire, rather than what we already
+have, we fall into the endless upgrade game. “The functions you need are
+coming in the next version! The new design is so much more attractive! And
+it comes in your favorite color!” These products may be mass-produced, but
+they are custom-made to suit our greed and grasping. They are exactly
+tailored to deceive us with their appearances.
+ As I see it, however, the bigger problem is the gullibility of our mind.
+This is what really leaves us vulnerable to the deceptive allure of things.
+In other words, we ourselves are the bigger problem. Sometimes we are like
+small children; when it comes to assessing our own needs, we often show no
+sign of maturity. Just think about it: When a little child cries, the easy
+way to stop him is to give him a toy. We dangle it in front of him and wave
+it around to catch his attention until he reaches out to grab it. When we
+finally hand over the toy, he quiets down. Our goal was just to stop his
+crying. We did not try to address the child’s underlying needs. We gave
+him something else to desire, and tricked him into falling silent for the time
+being.
+ -- H.H. the Seventeenth Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, "The Heart Is Noble:
+ Changing the World from the Inside Out", published by Shambhala Publications.
+~
+Vajrayana is very different from the New Age approach. The difference is that
+the Vajrayana teachings are controlled by the lineage. I know we don’t like
+the word control, but the Vajrayana teachings are actually held by the
+authority of the lineage. I know we also don’t like the word authority, but
+we have it in Vajrayana. When we have this pure lineage, this genuine
+lineage, there is no space for our egocentric interpretation of dharma. We
+cannot interpret dharma like the New Age gurus. We cannot invent a new
+lineage because a lineage must be received. It must be received by
+transmission. It is not something we can just create here. That would be New
+Age, probably from California.
+ -- Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, from "Penetrating Wisdom: The Aspiration of
+ Samantabhadra", published by Shambhala Publications.
+~
+Even when it is practiced, accomplishing shamata is rare. One of the very
+common problems is that people try too hard. Both Tibetans and Westerners
+could learn a lot about relaxing more deeply and letting the stability arise
+from that relaxation. Although it is mentioned in the texts, the Tibetans
+sometimes do not emphasize this point, but they do emphasize tight attention,
+not letting your object drop for even a second. If you are coming from a very
+serene space, and your mind is already very spacious, then that is probably
+good advice. But otherwise, such attention can be a big problem. You can
+exhaust yourself and cause nervous fatigue, and if you push it, you can really
+do yourself some damage.
+ -- B. Alan Wallace, from "The Four Immeasurables: Practices to Open the Heart"
+~
+If you want good health, you must insure that your diet is well-balanced and
+complete. You wouldn’t just gobble up anything edible that comes your way.
+Spiritual food should be approached with equal care. The practices you choose
+should be genuine and complete. Sakyapandita said that when we’re buying a
+jewel or a horse—and the same would apply these days to buying a car or a
+house—we shop around and ask others for advice, but a wise or unwise
+purchase can only affect our fortunes in this life. The spiritual practices
+we undertake can assure or jeopardize our well-being throughout many future
+lifetimes, and so it is essential to make a wise choice. Milarepa said that
+unless the teachings we practice are free from errors and have come down to us
+through a living and uninterrupted tradition, time spent meditating in a
+mountain retreat will just be self-inflicted misery.
+ -- Geshe Sonam Rinchen, in "The Three Principal Aspects of the Path",
+ published by Shambhala Publications
+~
+ Hark! In order to be of maximum benefit to the countless living beings,
+whose number is as vast as the extent of the skies, one must first gain the
+state of peerless, complete, perfect buddhahood. It is with this thought in
+mind that one receives initiation, the root of the Vajrayana path, and then
+engages in the various Tantric yogas.
+ Contemplate this theme, and by means of it generate the sublime bodhi-mind
+as the motivating factor. Also, cultivate the correct attitudes that are to
+be maintained when listening to the Dharma, as is explained in the many sutras
+and tantras, and thus listen correctly.
+ The Buddha, who himself achieved complete enlightenment and who possessed
+profound skill and great compassion, taught the nectarlike Dharma in
+accordance with the mental tendencies, capacities, and karmic predispositions
+of those to be trained.
+ -- Glenn H. Mullin, "From the Heart of Chenrezig: The Dalai Lamas on Tantra"
+ published by Shambhala Publications
+~
+You might say, "Don’t pleasurable experiences give rise to happiness?"
+Although for ordinary people pleasures may appear to be related to happiness
+at the time they are enjoyed, in the end they are their undoing. They are,
+the Sovereign of the Conquerors said, like the fruit of the kimba tree, which
+grows in the western continent of Aparagodaniya: its skin is attractive but it
+is unpleasant inside; or it tastes delicious when one first eats it, but later
+it makes one ill. So, advises Nagarjuna, give up these pleasures, for it is
+the chains—the afflictive emotions—of attachment to pleasure that tightly
+bind the worldly in the prison of samsara.
+ -- Nagarjuna, from "Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend with Commentary by
+ Kyabje Kangyur Rinpoche", published by Shambhala Publications.
projects / feisty_meow.git / blobdiff