Formal meditation is not the only way to tap into joy. The teachings say that when we cultivate wholesome mind-states—generosity, love, compassion, happiness for others—we experience pamojja, translated as “gladness” or “delight.” In one of the discourses (Majjhima Nikaya 99), the Buddha says, 'That gladness connected with the wholesome, I call an equipment of the mind . . . an equipment for developing a mind that is without hostility and ill will. ' - James Baraz
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Meditation is the tool which releases us from the mental prison of dysfunctional and deeply held beliefs, from paralyzing and crippling fears, from unskillful habitual reactions to people and events. - Victor M. Parachin
It’s been a year of many unfortunate “firsts,” but here’s one worth celebrating. Jacquetta Gomes, who has been a Buddhist and multifaith chaplain for the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) in Sussex county, United Kingdom, since 2014, was recently named the “first female Buddhist Fire Chaplain in the world” by 100 Pioneering Women of Sussex, a list kept by the UK’s Royal Pavilion & Museums. Chaplains are a part of fire services in the UK, where they offer both secular counseling and religious support. The daughter of a firefighter, Gomes says that she relishes the opportunity to help her community: “Every time I act as a chaplain as well as helping others I learn and expand my understanding.” (source www.tricycle.org)
They forgive. "Inner peace can be reached only when we practice forgiveness. Forgiveness is letting go of the past, and is therefore the means for correcting our misperceptions.” notes Gerald Jampolsky, MD., and author of Forgiveness: The Greatest Healer of All. It's impossible to be a peaceful person while holding a grudge, harboring feelings of resentment or entertaining thoughts of revenge. That's why author Karen Salmansohn gives this advice: "Forgive them. All of themS. The more thems you can forgive, the better you will feel."
To have inner peace on earth simply means increasing attitudes and actions which bring calm and tranquility while reducing those which generate disorder and chaos. We all know what it’s like to get trapped in dark, constricting states
of mind—and how useless it is, in terms of awakening, to dwell there. That is exactly what the Buddha taught: we don’t need to stay stuck in greed, hatred, and delusion. Life can be lighter, more workable, even when it’s challenging. - James Baraz 6) They are not troubled by trouble.
Peaceful people know that life is unpredictable and constantly shifting. So, they anticipate good times as well as difficult times flowing with life's changes and challenges. Buddhist meditation teacher and author Toni Bernhard explains: "Waking up to the realities of the human condition is crucial so that we know what to expect in life. If we’re deluded about what to expect, we suffer mentally when things don’t go our way. And so, I want to be awake to the fact that life can be hard at times and that many of my desires and wishes will go unfulfilled. Understanding this helps me accept and be content with my life as it is, because I know that I simply cannot always get what I want—no one can. It’s a reality of the human condition." Acting in self interest only is the act of a villain. Acting in the interests of others first before oneself is the act of a virtuous person. - Hsing Yun
A full year of celebrations and worldwide commemorative events has been planned as part of a “Year of Gratitude” to mark the upcoming birthday of the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who turns 85 on 6 July.
From 1 July to 30 June 2021, according to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan government-in-exile, a series of virtual events will be organized for the Dalai Lama “in appreciation of all his outstanding contributions” that will “endeavor to share, promote, and celebrate the teachings and the lifework of His Holiness.” (Central Tibetan Administration) “As His Holiness turns 85, one cannot but marvel at his glorious achievements and the immeasurable contributions to the Tibetan community and the world alike,” said Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, the elected leader of the CTA. “His Holiness’ legacy will be written in golden words in the annals of Tibetan history. Such is the grand lifework and contribution to the preservation of Tibet’s cultural, religious, historical, and linguistic heritage, as well as to the promotion of non-violence, human rights, religious tolerance, environmental awareness, and democracy around the world.” (Central Tibetan Administration) #5) They don't judge.
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin once received, in the mail, this anonymous prayer which he finds softens the human tendency to judge harshly. "Help us to remember that the 'jerk' who cut us off in traffic last night may be a single mother who worked nine hours that day and who is not rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundy and spend a few precious minute with her cildren. Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who couldn't make change correctly at the register today is a worried nineteen-year-old student who is preoccupied with whether he passed his final exams and with his fear of not getting a student loan for next semester. Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking 'bum' begging for money in the same spot every day is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares. Helps us to realize that the old couple walking so slowly through the store aisles, blocking our shopping car, are savoring this moment, because they know that, based on the biopsy report she got back yesterday , this might be the last year they will go shopping together." Life doesn't tend to get easier but you get stronger. You learn to show up more, cope better and be more conscious. - Brendon Burchard
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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
June 2020
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