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TWO ARROWS . . . QUIT ADDING MORE INJURY TO YOURSELF

5/20/2019

“When touched with a feeling of pain, uninstructed ordinary persons sorrow, grieve, and lament, beat their breasts, become distraught. They feel two pains, physical and mental. Just as if they were to shoot a man with an arrow and, right afterward, were to shoot him with another one, so that he would feel the pains of two arrows, in the same way, when touched with a feeling of pain, the uninstructed ordinary persons sorrow, grieve, and lament, beat their breasts, become distraught. They feel two pains, physical and mental.”—Buddha Shakyamuni, Sallattha Sutta

The first arrow is the unavoidable fact of suffering. The second arrow is our own mental proliferation about the fact of suffering. While there is only so much we can do about avoiding the first arrow, avoiding the second arrow is entirely possible. - Lama Tashi Nyima

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

5/20/2019

Buddhism does not demand asceticism from all believers where daily life is concerned. Regarding food, one should eat one’s fill; regarding clothing, one should dress appropriately. However, not one should use resources wastefully. - Hsing Yun

HOW DR. VASANT LAD BECAME AN AYURVEDIC PHYSICIAN

5/19/2019

The person who has been most influential in bringing Ayurveda to the West is Dr. Vasant Lad. Both my partner and I study with him. He's a remarkable human and his contribution to the expansion of Ayurveda in the West is immense. Interviewed for the website Mind Body Green, Dr. Lad was asked how he came to study Ayurveda. Here's his answer:

When I was a child back in the 50's my grandmother got very sick. We were very close and it was painful for me to see her so sick. She had a Nephrotic Syndrome with high blood pressure and swelling. The doctor at the local hospital was not even able to feel her pulse due to swelling. There were no powerful antibiotics or diuretics at that time and we were told that there was no way to help her. Reluctant to give up, my father called an Ayurvedic doctor, who made a special formula for my grandmother. He gave me precise instructions that I had to follow to prepare a daily ayurvedic concoction for her. Using 7 different herbs, carefully measuring their correct proportions, I would boil them down into a thick brew to give to my grandmother. Miraculously, in three weeks grandmother's swelling was gone, blood pressure was back to normal and kidney function improved. My grandmother happily lived until 95 and an old Ayurvedic doctor who had me making the daily concoction told my father to send me to an Ayurvedic Medicine school. Here I am now.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

5/19/2019

Why do you speak to

your lowest self?
   What if you spoke to

   to your highest self?

          - Victor M. parachin

'HAPPY VESAK' GREETING FROM US SECRETARY OF STATE

5/18/2019

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wished a happy Vesak Day, which celebrates the Buddha’s birthday, to Buddhists around the world on behalf of the US government.

“On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I extend our warmest wishes to all those celebrating Vesak Day around the world. As Buddhist communities everywhere celebrate the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, we pause to reflect on and honor the universal values of peace, tolerance and compassion the founder of Buddhism embodied. The United States is proud to host a vibrant and diverse Buddhist community, as it joins Buddhists around the world in celebrating Vesak Day. Buddhism’s spiritual and cultural contributions have enriched our shared human heritage over more than two millennia. We wish you all a joyous and peaceful Vesak.”

HERE'S WHAT TO DO WHENEVER YOU GO TO A MEDITATION RETREAT . . .

5/18/2019

. . . drop your expectations!

That's the wisdom and advice offered by modern Chinese Zen Master Sheng Yen. Whether you are at an evening meditation retreat or one for a weekend or longer, arrive without expectations. Here's how Master Sheng explains:

"The sole purpose of a meditation retreat is to meditate. You should keep your attention entirely on practice, without trying to attain any results. Since many of you have traveled far, or have worked hard to set aside the time, you have a great deal invested in this retreat. It is natural that you want to gain something. But once you enter the retreat you must put aside any specific hopes.

"Practicing with a goal in mind is like trying to catcha feather with a fan. The more kyou go after it, the more it eludes you. But if you sneak up on it slowly, you can grab it. The aim of practice is to develop patience and forbearance,t o train your mind to become calm and stable. Any attachment or seeking will prevent your mind from settling down."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

5/18/2019

My time is my most precious possession, so I am very careful how I use it.
- Thubten Chodron

VESAK FESTIVAL - BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY

5/17/2019

(public domain image from www.pixabay.com)

Every year in May, near the day of the full moon, Vesak or Buddha's birthday is celebrated. It's the most important day in the Buddhist calendar.

Each Buddhist culture and country has its own traditions for the day, but it is celebrated across Asia such as - India, Thailand, North and South Korea, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and more. Many Buddhists will go to their local temple and some might even stay there throughout the day and night of the full moon. Many will increase the doing of good deeds, take part in chanting and meditation, reflect on Buddhist teachings, bring offerings to the temple and share food with people.

Families may decorate their homes with lanterns, take part in processions and wear special white clothes to mark the occasion. Friends and family may also send cards to each other.

A ceremony called Bathing the Buddha may also be held, when water is poured over the shoulders of the Buddha to remind people to clear their minds of negative thoughts like greed and hatred.

Please join us in Tulsa on Friday, May 24th to celebrate Vesak - Buddha's Birthday - at at 2 hour meditation retreat, 6 - 9 pm.

DORIS DAY DIES AT 97 WAS ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST

5/17/2019

Actress, singer and entertainer died this week at 97. Though she is most remembered for her television show and the songs she recorded (Que Sera Sera) it's likely her long term influence will be on behalf of animals.

Throughout her illustrious career, Day fought for animal-rights and is famously quoted saying, “I’ve never met an animal I didn’t like, and I can’t say the same thing about people.” In 1971, Day founded the non-profit organization Actors and Others for Animals with the mission to implement animal welfare standards within the film industry. And, in 1978, the activist founded the Doris Day Pet Foundation (now called the “Doris Day Animal Foundation”) to help control the homeless companion animal population through initiatives such as World Spay Day—which helped spay and neuter 1.5 million animals in its first 15 years.

Day also supported various initiatives to shut down puppy mills, created the Doris Day Animal League (now a part of the Humane Society of the United States) as a voice for the animals in legislation, and helped airlift the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina to safety in 2005. On her 90th birthday, in lieu of gifts, Day asked fans to donate to Doris Day Animal Foundation, raising approximately $100,000 to support her cause.

(source: veg news)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

5/17/2019

When we spend time with people who
are calm and peaceful, we become
calm and peaceful.
When we spend time with people who
are agitated and angry, we become
agitated and angry.
Our choice!
- Victor M. Parachin

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Victor M. Parachin ...is a

Vedic educator, yoga instructor, meditation teacher and author of a dozen books. Buy his books at amazon or your local bookstore.

Victor M. Parachin ...is a

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