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We have a responsibility to control the mind. When the mind is focused on right thoughts, right actions, right words, right effort and right understanding, its impact can be enormous. The opposite is equally true. A focus on evil, greed, jealousy and self-interest can have a horrific impact. We all need to make time to quiet the mind and place our focus on healthy, wholesome thoughts.
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds Touch thumb to index finger. Recall a pleasant time in your life--a vacation, a romantic dinner, a book which inspired you, a movie which moved you to tears.
Touch thumb to middle finger. Recall a loving or friendly exchange you had with someone. Touch thumb to ring finger. Recall a moment of kindness you received. Touch thumb to pinkie. Recall a time when you felt incredibly joyful and happy. Repeat this cycle. -Victor M Parachin, Sit a Bit Each one of us experiences times when our energies are on low. . . . Here are some reasons why you may be losing energy. Consider these:
- The company you keep - Poor breathing - Unhealthy diet - Lack of exercise - Wrong lifestyle - Stress and anxiety - Employment - Your family Take an inventory of your life to establish why your energies are low. Then take corrective action. -Victor M Parachin, Buddhist Wisdom for Beginners If you want to be happier, more content, more confident, more productive and feel far less stressed, take this one simple step: search others for their virtues. . . . Too often, people spend time seeing others' flaws, faults and failings. As a result, many people are left deflated and debilitated, feeling they're not good enough, smart enough, successful enough, fast enough. . . . You can change that! Search others for their virtues. Train yourself to see the good, the positive, the noble, the heroic in others.
-Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha Spiritual wisdom from the East reminds us that animals--including insects--are not merely other creatures with whom humans happen to share the planet. They are our companions and teachers and exhibit qualities that humans would do well to imitate. Like humans, animals have a complete repertoire of emotions, such as joy, fear, guilt, anger, contentment, embarrassment, gratitude and grief. Many times they exhibit loyalty that puts human conduct to shame. The East reminds us to honor all beings!
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds This meditation is best done in a busy, active place with many people coming and going. A mall is ideal as is a busy airport terminal or even a hospital or doctor's waiting room.
- Enter this public space mindfully. - Find a place where you can sit and observe (not stare). - Look around at the people walking by. - Begin to imagine and understand that many of them feel fearful, anxious, lonely, abandoned. - Some may even be dealing with serious health issues. - Build a sense of connection with these strangers by reminding yourself: We are part of a common humanity. We are in this together. We share similar hopes and dreams, fears and anxieties. We are more alike than we are different. - Conclude by sending this blessing to the strangers walking by you: May you be well. May you be peaceful. May you feel loved. May you feel safe and secure. -Victor M Parachin, Sit a Bit To evolve morally and spiritually, Buddhism offers the eightfold noble path. Number six is "right effort," the cultivating of positive qualities and releasing negative ones. Buddhism fine tunes right effort into sub-categories called "four big efforts."
1. The effort to avoid negative not yet existing in our lives. 2. The effort to overcome negative which already exists in our thoughts and acts. 3. The effort to preserve the positive already developed in our thinking and acting. 4. The effort to develop the positive not yet existing in our minds, hearts and actions. Driving the four big efforts teaching is the understanding that too many people have right intentions but neglect to put good ideas into practice, into daily life. This weakness is further strengthened by putting off for another day what we know should be done today. That's why it's important to cultivate the four great efforts daily--to avoid, overcome, preserve and develop. -Victor M Parachin, Buddhist Wisdom for Beginners Buddhism teaches that we humans have Buddha nature and all we need to do is recognize, respond and realize our true nature. The Buddha's perspective is more people friendly, reminding us that we are in charge of our lives and the direction we wish to move. In fact, the Buddha taught that the way to tap into our Buddha nature and end suffering is to engage in these three actions:
First, to cease from negative actions. . . . Secondly, to do what is good. . . . Thirdly, to purify and strengthen the mind. This means developing and deepening meditation because that is where we learn to use the mind skillfully. -Victor M Parachin, Think Like the Buddha |
Victor M. Parachin ... aVedic educator, yoga instructor, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of a dozen books. Buy his books at amazon or your local bookstore. Sadly, Victor passed away in August 2025, but his blog continues. Janet Parachin, his partner of 45 years, shares quotes from his books and articles each week. Archives
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