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This information caught my eye and imagination from the website Buddhist door - -
Orthodox priest Fr. Antony Hughes gave a sermon on self-compassion at his church in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In one passage he urged that we embrace the “least of the brethren.” Here he used “brethren” to describe the “hungry, lonely, imprisoned parts of ourselves we usually treat with disdain.”
Of interest to Buddhists is not only this internalization of society’s poor, lowly, and oppressed—but also the way in which Fr. Hughes proposes we deal with them. “For example, we are not angry people by nature [our italics] even though we may be prone to being angry,” he said. “The image of God in us is not angry. It is disturbed by nothing. Because the passions are not us, they can change. If we resist or deny them, they become stronger. If we meet them with compassion, we can befriend them and transformation occurs.”
“I do know that the main problem many people have in life, particularly in our culture, is that they believe they are not worthy of love. Bad theology and bad psychology often supports this false idea,” Fr. Hughes further said, invoking his studies of different schools of thought, both secular and spiritual. “Precisely because of Orthodox theology and what I have learned from the study of the world’s wisdom traditions and mindfulness-based therapies and science, I am drawn to the opposite idea.”
Orthodox priest Fr. Antony Hughes gave a sermon on self-compassion at his church in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In one passage he urged that we embrace the “least of the brethren.” Here he used “brethren” to describe the “hungry, lonely, imprisoned parts of ourselves we usually treat with disdain.”
Of interest to Buddhists is not only this internalization of society’s poor, lowly, and oppressed—but also the way in which Fr. Hughes proposes we deal with them. “For example, we are not angry people by nature [our italics] even though we may be prone to being angry,” he said. “The image of God in us is not angry. It is disturbed by nothing. Because the passions are not us, they can change. If we resist or deny them, they become stronger. If we meet them with compassion, we can befriend them and transformation occurs.”
“I do know that the main problem many people have in life, particularly in our culture, is that they believe they are not worthy of love. Bad theology and bad psychology often supports this false idea,” Fr. Hughes further said, invoking his studies of different schools of thought, both secular and spiritual. “Precisely because of Orthodox theology and what I have learned from the study of the world’s wisdom traditions and mindfulness-based therapies and science, I am drawn to the opposite idea.”
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In the early 20th century, very few Chinese ate meat. However, as China became an economic power, the Chinese began adopting the Western diet which is largely meat based. In fact, the Chinese are eating significantly more meat than any other country at 74 million tons of pork, beef and poultry—around double that of the United States.
That has come at a high health cost with rising obesity, diabetes, cancers and other issues. As a result, more Chinese are turning toward a meat-free diet. A recent report by China’s Xinhua news Agency, estimating the number of vegetarians in the country now exceeds 50 million and is growing.
That has come at a high health cost with rising obesity, diabetes, cancers and other issues. As a result, more Chinese are turning toward a meat-free diet. A recent report by China’s Xinhua news Agency, estimating the number of vegetarians in the country now exceeds 50 million and is growing.
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“Be kind. Everyone you meet is carrying a heavy burden.” Ian MacLaren
Author Ian MacLaren is wise when he reminds us to "be kind. Everyone you meet is carrying a heavy burden."
- Anthony Bourdain
- Kate Spade
Author Ian MacLaren is wise when he reminds us to "be kind. Everyone you meet is carrying a heavy burden."
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Being deserted is the unexpected rod that routs out the mentality of dependence.
- Hsing Yun
- Hsing Yun
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- The superior person does not attach great importance to things that decay. He does attach great importance to things that endure: his integrity, his hon, his virtue, and his appreciation and reverence for All-That-Is.
- No matter what enticements come your way, it is always best to remain true to yourself. If you remain true to yourself, if you live up to the best within yourself, you will always walk the path of the superior person.
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Worthless are those who injure others vengefully, while those who stoically endure are like stored gold. Just as the Earth bears those who dig into her, it is best to bear with those who despise us. - Tirukural
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We now live in an age called the 'Age of Aquarius', which is characterized by a great wish to be freed from all tyranny. More and more people recognize that they themselves are responsible. - Eva Rudy Jansen
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Almost every religious text has an author connected to it - Moses, Paul, Mohammed, Zoroaster, etc. This is in keeping with the lower nature of humanity which seeks to establish an "I", "me", "mine" ego identify. India's ancient texts, regarded as the world's oldest surviving spiritual teachings, have no author connected to them. Here is why.
The Vedas and Upanishads were not the products of logical thought and reasoning. Those who composed them were rare spiritually gifted and advanced individuals who, during meditation, were able to vibrate in tune with the Universe (the Universal Intelligence). Once they were in that frequency, the individual simply merged or vanished. I, me and mine ceased to exist and the truth which emerged into words and language came to be recorded in the Vedas and Upanishads.
Those ancient rishis or sages understood clearly that whey they experienced and received was not theirs. The "I" disappeared and they felt no need nor desire to claim authorship. offering the insights freely and anonymously for the benefit of humanity.
The Vedas and Upanishads were not the products of logical thought and reasoning. Those who composed them were rare spiritually gifted and advanced individuals who, during meditation, were able to vibrate in tune with the Universe (the Universal Intelligence). Once they were in that frequency, the individual simply merged or vanished. I, me and mine ceased to exist and the truth which emerged into words and language came to be recorded in the Vedas and Upanishads.
Those ancient rishis or sages understood clearly that whey they experienced and received was not theirs. The "I" disappeared and they felt no need nor desire to claim authorship. offering the insights freely and anonymously for the benefit of humanity.
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I think it is self-defeating to use a distraction like watching TV as you walk on the treadmill—you are conceding that the exercise part is boring, and eventually you will give it up. - Deepak Chopra
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My own agenda is “Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow because you may die tonight!” Furthermore, those who are more relaxed are more productive and innovative. How can one be productive when your battery is flat? So taking more rests is a win-win situation for your career and your well-being. - Ajahn Brahm