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Loving-kindness is the thought of wishing total happiness for others and putting that wish into practice. It is the thought of unconditioned, pure, and universal love towards all beings without attachment, self-centeredness, or expectation of rewards. - Tulku Thondup
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Acts of wisdom and acts of compassion are actions of oneness. Compassion without wisdom is dysfunctional. Wisdom without compassion is fruitless. - Victor M. Parachin
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An ongoing, multinational European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study collected data over a 16-year period from more than half a million men and women from 10 different countries. Based on their research, the study concluded the group that drank the highest amount of coffee—the top 25%—had a lower risk for all-cause mortality (death by any cause), compared to those who did not drink coffee.
That's one side of research. Other studies, however, come to an opposite conclusion, namely, that coffee consumption may shorten lifespan, raise cholesterol and triglycerides, increase inflammation markers, and if you are a genetically-slow caffeine metabolizer, it may increase the risk of non-fatal heart attacks. Other studies show it may cause insomnia, fatigue, cerebral infarction, as well as cardiovascular complications and caffeine withdrawals. In women, it may interfere with contraceptives ad postmenopausal hormone balance.
Dr. John Douillard, who writes about this issue, (https://lifespa.com/coffee-extends-life-according-global-study/) offers this way of responding to scientific studies which contradict one this way: "Whenever I see conflicting science on both sides of the scientific aisle—which is all too common—I look for wisdom from our ancestors. What was the traditional use of coffee? What were the predicted benefits and risks from traditional systems of medicine that have been in place for thousands of years?"
That's one side of research. Other studies, however, come to an opposite conclusion, namely, that coffee consumption may shorten lifespan, raise cholesterol and triglycerides, increase inflammation markers, and if you are a genetically-slow caffeine metabolizer, it may increase the risk of non-fatal heart attacks. Other studies show it may cause insomnia, fatigue, cerebral infarction, as well as cardiovascular complications and caffeine withdrawals. In women, it may interfere with contraceptives ad postmenopausal hormone balance.
Dr. John Douillard, who writes about this issue, (https://lifespa.com/coffee-extends-life-according-global-study/) offers this way of responding to scientific studies which contradict one this way: "Whenever I see conflicting science on both sides of the scientific aisle—which is all too common—I look for wisdom from our ancestors. What was the traditional use of coffee? What were the predicted benefits and risks from traditional systems of medicine that have been in place for thousands of years?"
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I would like to make a distinction between spirituality and religion, because they aren't quite the same thing. Spirituality can be a very personal experience, while religion provides support from other people who are trying to move in the same direction. But sometimes religion gets tribal, and then it becomes "us" against "them." - Lama Tsomo
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A few years ago, an eleven year old girl was watching television program while at her elementary school. A a dish-washing liquid commercial came onto the screen, she recalled. What sparked her attention was its tagline: "Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans."
"Two boys from my class said, 'Yeah, that's where women belong, in the kitchen,'" she said. "I remember feeling shocked and angry and also just feeling so hurt — it just wasn't right and something needed to be done."
Returning home, she told her father about the incident who recommended she write letters to people who could make a difference. She wrote to U.S. First Lady Hillary Clinton, TV journalist Linda Ellerbee and attorney Gloria Allred, in addition to addressing a letter to the soap manufacturer. To Markle's surprise, she received "letters of encouragement" from all three women, and a camera crew even came to her house in Los Angeles to cover the story. And the campaigning didn't just encourage discussion and change on a local level either.
"It was roughly a month later, when the soap manufacturer Procter & Gamble changed the commercial for their ivory clear dish-washing liquid. They changed it from 'Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans' to 'People all over America,'" she said.
"It was at that moment that I realized the magnitude of my actions. At the age of 11, I had created my small level of impact by standing up for equality."
That eleven year old girl was Meghan Markle, now engaged to Prince Harry of England. The lesson: we can make a difference if we will only act.
"Two boys from my class said, 'Yeah, that's where women belong, in the kitchen,'" she said. "I remember feeling shocked and angry and also just feeling so hurt — it just wasn't right and something needed to be done."
Returning home, she told her father about the incident who recommended she write letters to people who could make a difference. She wrote to U.S. First Lady Hillary Clinton, TV journalist Linda Ellerbee and attorney Gloria Allred, in addition to addressing a letter to the soap manufacturer. To Markle's surprise, she received "letters of encouragement" from all three women, and a camera crew even came to her house in Los Angeles to cover the story. And the campaigning didn't just encourage discussion and change on a local level either.
"It was roughly a month later, when the soap manufacturer Procter & Gamble changed the commercial for their ivory clear dish-washing liquid. They changed it from 'Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans' to 'People all over America,'" she said.
"It was at that moment that I realized the magnitude of my actions. At the age of 11, I had created my small level of impact by standing up for equality."
That eleven year old girl was Meghan Markle, now engaged to Prince Harry of England. The lesson: we can make a difference if we will only act.
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We shouldn’t act upon or express every feeling and impulse that arises; we need to retain the authority to restrain, act or let an impulse pass. - Ajahn Sucitto