Buddhist teaching

A change in perspective, behavior, or response can do so much more to help us move past issues left unresolved.

Repeated bouts of adversity are an unavoidable aspect of human existence. We battle against our inner struggles or outer world forces, and in many cases, we emerge on the opposite side of struggle stronger and better equipped to cope with the challenges yet to come. However, we can occasionally encounter trials that seem utterly hopeless. We strike at them with all of our creativity and perseverance, hoping desperately to bring about change, only to meet with the same results as always. Our first instinct in such situations is often to push harder against the seemingly immovable obstruction before us, assuming that this time we will be met with a different outcome. But staying power and stamina net us little when the same choices consistently garner the same results. A change in perspective, behavior, or response can do so much more to help us move past points where no amount of effort seems sufficient to overcome the difficulties before us.
Whether our intention is to change ourselves or some element of the world around us, we cannot simply wish for transformation or hope that our lives will be altered through circumstance. If our patterns of thought and behavior remain unchanged, our lives will continue to unfold much as they have previously. Patterns in which fruitless efforts prevail can be overcome with self examination and courage. It is our bravery that allows us to question the choices we have made thus far and to channel our effort into innovation. Asking questions and making small adjustments to your thought processes and behaviors will help you discover what works, so you can leave that which does not work behind you. To break free from those unconscious patterns that have long held sway over your actions and reactions, you will likely have to challenge your assumptions on a most basic level. You must accept once and for all that your beliefs with regard to cause and effect may no longer be in accorda! nce with your needs.

Stagnation is often a sign that great changes are on the horizon. Courting the change you wish to see in yourself and in the world around you is a matter of acknowledging that only change begets change. The results you so ardently want to realize are well within the realm of possibility, and you need only step away from the well-worn circular path to explore the untried paths that lie beyond it. 

Today I’m going to share a really simple secret that can make your day instantly better. If you’re feeling down, it can make you happier, all day long.
It’s something I’ve been trying myself, with great results.
It’s three steps, and anyone can do them. This is an algorithm that can be repeated over and over, all day long. It starts with a basic assumption: that we are all human beings capable of goodness, of love, of pain, of broken hearts and passionate love. That we all have bad days, that inside our jaded exteriors is a person who just wants love.
It is based on my observation that we take other people for granted, and that we judge others and become irritated with them for almost no good reasons, and we expect everyone to make us happy or at least behave the way we want them to, and if they don’t, our day is ruined. That’s crazy. People are living their own lives, and aren’t trying to please us or act in accordance with our expectations, and once we accept that, we can be happy.
Here are the three steps. They might sound silly to some of you, but I urge you to give them a try. For just one day. Even just an hour. They are powerful, and they work.
1. Think “I love you, and I’m thankful for you” to every single person today. This sounds kinda silly perhaps, but it works. Seriously, try it. Look at each person you pass or encounter today, and think to yourself (as if you’re talking to the person you’re looking at), “I love you, and I’m thankful for you.” Try to say it with feeling. Mean it! Even to those you pass on the street, in the elevator, while you’re driving (you might only see them for a split second, from a distance).
2. Smile at that person, and look them in the eye. Many of us are used to not looking people in the eye, avoiding contact. But looking someone in the eye is acknowledging their existence and human-ness, and establishing a connection. Smiling helps pass your happiness on to others. Obviously you can’t do this if the person is far from you or driving past you, but when you can, apply this step.
3. If you feel comfortable, say it aloud to that person. Say, “I love you and I’m thankful for you.” You’ll probably only say this to people you know very well (though the bold among you might say it to strangers!). If you’re not comfortable with that, try to say it with actions instead of words. A simple hug, doing something nice, spending time with someone while treating them kindly, doing a favor without expecting a return favor, just being thoughtful. Obviously you can’t do this step with everyone you pass, but the more people you apply this step to, the better.
Try these steps, please.
Also know that I love you. And I’m grateful that you’re alive.

These are the senses:
Sight
Hearing
Smell
Taste
Touch
Knowing

These are what are here called the Doors to the Senses:
The Eye
The Ear
The Nose
The Tongue
The Body
The Mind

Conscious awareness arises

as a consequence of the contact

of a sense organ with it’s appropriate stimulus.

A Visual Object comes into contact with The Eye,

and Perception of Sight occurs.

From Perception of Sight comes the Sensation associated with Seeing, (experienced as Pleasant, Unpleasant, or Not-Pleasant-But-Not Unpleasant) and Conscious Awareness of Sight.

An act of Identification with the process creates

the experience known as "My Sight", or "I am Seeing."

Arising from this experience comes liking or disliking

depending on the Sensation.

Both Liking and Disliking, are, in the Pali,

forms of Wanting and lead to Action that results in an Outcome

determined by KAMMA.

For this reason,

the Beggar trains himself to be wary of

Sights, Sounds, Scents, Flavors, Touches, and Thoughts.

Being Aware of the Danger,

he Guards "The Doors of the Senses"

and when an Object of Sense comes into the Range of an Organ of Sense,

he neither pays attention to its General Appearance nor to it’s Details.

Take all the Bad Feeling and
Project Good Feeling to Others

As a proper way
of practicing Buddhism,
a true Buddhist
takes all the bad feeling
upon him or herself,
sees that as suffering,
and learns from it
so as to live more fully
the Eightfold Noble Path
to overcome suffering
and bad feeling.

To live a Buddhist life
is living the middle way;
so, to balance bad feeling,
take it upon yourself for practice;
learn to cultivate good feelings,
the immeasurable feelings,
for others.

With the good feelings
projected onto others
and the shouldering
of the bad feelings
upon yourself,
you can then live
a balanced, middle-way life
as a true Buddhist.

Always develop
the opposite feeling
as an antidote for the feeling
you take upon yourself,
which is always
a much harsher feeling
than the one,
you project onto others.

Without taking on
the suffering and pain of others,
you are not, repeat, NOT,
capable of projecting
good feelings onto others,




Dharma Teachings 2401-2500
by Des/Boo-Ngoh

Do not belive me

Do not believe me
If I say
I have good intention.

Only upon total enlightenment
I will know
My own intention
Which is not conscious
To the Brain mind
& can be accessed only through right meditation

eating healthy

I am not one for conspeirecy thories, there is something that has been bothering me since I started doing chi and eating healthy.
I am on a fixed income at the moment and it never ceases to amaze me that healty foods and practices are priced out of the range of those who would benefit from them most.
This summer has been a cool one and my garden did not do as well as I liked but I still saved money by growing some of my own produce.
It seems that, for lower and fixed income people, sugar, fat and salt are the only affordable things around. I see it daily in the neighborhood markets. People going for canned fruit and vegatables insted of fresh because the cans are 2or 3 for a dollar and the fresh is about one dollar for only two peices.
Food stamps can be used at farmer's markets but the prices make it hard to streach what few dollars are aloted to those who depend on them.
Part of it is lack of knowlage, but for the most part it is just that the fat and salt habit has been ingrained deeply.
It also seems like yoga and chi classes, holistic health and alternive medicines are priced out of the range of lower income folks.
I was luck to find an affordable yoga class and there is an organization in New York City called Yoga to the people(they have a website) that is making body/mind practices more affordable to more folks.
I used David Dorian's DVD's because I just point blank could not afford the only chi classes in town.
This disturbes me because it seems like the message is you have to earn the "right" to be healthy.
There is a debate about health care going on right now. I don't know about the rest of you folks, but I have yet to hear about the goverment covering preventive or alterntive medicine.
If we want a healthier population, should we not be focusing on preventive care and things that will restore health naturally.
This idea will not be popular with the perscription drug industry.
Not that drugs arn't good in their place, but would it not be better is we start from a place that will elemenate them or not even have the need for them in the first place?
And who decides who has the 'right' to have access to healthy food and medicine?
How about some REAL health care choices?
1 Comment
Thu 27th
Chi and the bike 2
Published by: Carpe Qi-em on Thursday 27th August 2009 09:08am
Isn't it funny how a little thing can trigger a big one? Being off my bike for the past few days has triggered a big issue in my life.
You see, my bike has come to mean something in my life. Accomplishment, pride , confidence---and another chance to work on my lack of compassion for others.
I have been enjoying new freedom from being able to ride around when I want to without depending on the bus. I can pop my basket on and do my shopping.
Being off the bike has triggered feelings of loss--but have I really lost anything?
After all once the repairs problems are solved, I will be able to ride again.
The one thing that has been brought home to me is my sense of --well --smarmyness-for lack of a better word-twards the people who have been watching me ride by and given me dirty looks or said nasty things.
I have noted a smugness in myself as I see others sitting on their porches, just watching me move and enjoy my new found energy.
I have this "neh neh neh Na Na neh" attude.
But really, what is the differnce between me and my neighbors who say they are "too old" or "can't move"?
Just a few years ago, I was sitting around thinking I was too old and it was too late.
The fact that I got up, does not make me a better or worse person that anyone around me. By taking a smug attude, I have devalued people and judged them.
So to my shame, I admit that I have been guilty of using my good fortune( for it was just my good luck to find Chi and yoga) to pass judgement on others.

TheReligionofPeace - Link to Us

TheReligionofPeace - Link to Us: "

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Protecting Our Love
A new adventure awaits us
Something new around every bend
Two lives entwined forever
Two hearts given time to mend

A love so pure and special
A strong foundation on which to grow
Our relationship is like no other
Meant to be as we both know

Love growing stronger every day
As love was designed to be
Me being there for you
And you being there for me

For you are my special angel
Protecting our love within your heart
Until we're joined together
To never be pulled apart

It's that time

Crab this clock widget here

Waking Up In The Morning

Waking Up In The Morning

Waking up this morning I smile
knowing there are 24 brand new hours before me.
I vow to live fully in each moment,
and look at beings with eyes of compassion.

As we wake up in the morning and open our eyes we may like to recite the above gatha. We can start our day with the happiness of a smile and the aspiration to dedicate ourselves to the path of love and understanding. We are aware that today is a fresh, new day, and we have 24 precious hours to live.

Let us try to get up from bed right away after following three deep breaths to bring ourselves into mindfulness. Let us not delay our waking. We may like to sit up and gently massage our head, neck, shoulders, and arms to get your blood circulating. We might like to do a few stretches to loosen our joints and wake up our body. Drinking a cup of warm water is also good for our system first thing in the morning.

Let us wash up or do what we need to before heading towards the meditation hall. Allow ourselves enough time so we will not have to rush. Enjoy the dark morning sky. Many stars are twinkling and greeting us. Take deep breaths and enjoy the cool, fresh air. As we walk slowly towards the hall, let the morning fill our being, awakening our body and mind to the joy of a new day.

Walking Meditation

Wherever we walk, we can practice meditation. This means that we know that we are walking. We walk just for walking. We walk with freedom and solidity, no longer in a hurry. We are present with each step. And when we wish to talk we stop our movement and give our full attention to the other person, to our words and to listening.

Walking in this way should not be a privilege. We should be able to do it in every moment. Look around and see how vast life is, the trees, the white clouds, the limitless sky. Listen to the birds. Feel the fresh breeze. Life is all around and we are alive and healthy and capable of walking in peace.

Let us walk as a free person and feel our steps get lighter. Let us enjoy every step we make. Each step is nourishing and healing. As we walk, imprint our gratitude and our love on the earth.

We may like to use a gatha as we walk. Taking two or three steps for each in-breath and each out-breath,

Breathing in "I have arrived"; Breathing out "I am home"
Breathing in "In the here"; Breathing out "In the now"
Breathing in "I am solid"; Breathing out "I am free"
Breathing in "In the ultimate"; Breathing out "I dwell"

Working Meditation

To participate in working meditation can be a great happiness. It is an opportunity to engage in the maintenance and care of our practice center while enjoying our practice of mindfulness. When we wash the cars, or turn the compost piles or chop wood we stay mindful of our breathing and the activity that we are doing. We speak only when necessary and about the work at hand. We can maintain a light and easy feeling as we work. An environment that is quiet can make the work more pleasant and enjoyable.
When we work in the garden we get in touch with the plants and nourish our connection to the earth we are living on. Sweeping and mopping the meditation halls we see that we are already practicing to calm our mind and body. Please, do not be in too great of a hurry to get the job done. Our most important contribution to the Sangha is to maintain our practice of mindfulness.

Working Meditation links us to our everyday life, both here and when we return home. As we are working at our computer or preparing dinner for our family or teaching a class, we can practice stopping, calming and refreshing ourselves with our conscious breathing. We can relax and smile at our co-workers and pace ourselves to maintain a light and serene state of being

When you love

When you love someone so deep inside,
It seems like it's so easy to hide.
You've loved her for so very long,
You would think she could do no wrong.

Every day you would hope and pray,
That she would always stay this way.
She treated you like you should be treated,
You thought your life was finally completed.

You thought your love was growing true,
And then one day it was all so blue.
She started putting you down and it hurt,
You thought all you were to her was dirt.

She started ignoring you and you wondered why,
All you wanted to do was curl up and die.
You thought your relationship would never end,
But that was all so fake and pretend.
One day She was so sweet to you,
You thought all those things were maybe untrue,
Two days later she was back the same,
You thought you were the one to blame.

She thought the relationship was getting too serious
And that you had become a little too curious.
By this time you knew it wouldn't last,
All the nice things She said were in the past.

You thought that you would marry her some day,
But this time God wanted to get her way.
You wanted things back how they were before,
But you knew this couldn't happen anymore.

It was a Wednesday morning about 3 o'clock,
You heard the news and it wasn't a shock.
You knew this was going to happen soon,
As you laid there and cried in the pale lit moon.

may good thing come your way

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May Buddha hold you in the palm of his hand.

May Buddha be with you and bless you:
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

1 - I do realize i have power over myself; i am the master of my Karma and i am heir to my Karma

2 - I humbly submit I will be totally and squarely responsible for my actions

3 - for whatever I have done wrong, let me have the courage to face the consequences brought upon me by my Karma

4 - for whatever will happen in the future, let me have the wisdom to do what is wholesome so that I may have good Karma for a good future

5 - If I can't meditate well, it's because i have not kept my precepts well

6 - If I do not have right wisdom, it's because i have not meditated well

7 - If I have kept my precepts well and i have meditated well and I am not making progress, it's because i have not put in enough effort

8 - If I still blame on others, it's because i have not looked enough into myself

9 - If I have not yet found Dharma, i still have not looked enough into into myself

10 - If I still have not found Buddha, i still have not looked enough into myself

11 - If I feel like i do not have enough support, it's because i have not been supportive of my sangha

12 - If I am still fearful of old age, sickness and death, i have not yet practiced well enough Buddhism.

that's my twelve steps

The Ways We Love
Choosing to Have a Mate or Being Single

The way we choose to love can be as unique as the way we choose to make a living, maintain our health, or entertain ourselves. Some choose to seek out a mate and enter into a partnership with a special individual, while others find immense satisfaction in staying single. There is no right or wrong way to be in your life when it comes to deciding whether or not to be in a relationship, even though society tends to put an emphasis on romantic partnerships. Whether you choose to go through life as part of a romantic relationship or live as a single unit, there are benefits to both. Feel free to be comfortable with whatever choice is right for you.

Choosing to be single is a wonderful way to spend time discovering yourself. You have more time and space to figure out what and how you want your life to be without having to keep someone else’s choices in mind. Being single gives you the freedom to do what you want at a moment’s notice and the pride that comes with facing life on your own terms. Companionship, support, and affection can be found while spending quality time with friends, colleagues, and relatives. There is also the fun that comes with being able to date many different people without having to make a commitment. Choosing to have a mate, on the other hand, brings with it an opportunity to share your life with another person. There is comfort in the knowledge that you are facing the world with someone as a united front. When life is challenging, you are in a position to strengthen, as well as give each other comfort. There is also the inevitable transformation of self that comes from allowing another person t! o so intimately be a part of your life.

Remember that what is right for one person may not be right for another, and people can transition between wanting to be with another person and wanting to be alone many times over the course of their lives. Whether you seek out a mate or live the single life, embracing it fully will ensure that either choice is as fulfilling as possible for you.

hello here is a good link

Do it

in helping others
you forget yourself,
and in a way
you Empty yourself.

do it
and feel the Empty
and see
how it feels.

I like to walk alone on country paths, rice plants and wild grasses on both sides, putting each foot down on the earth in mindfulness, knowing that I walk on the wondrous earth. In such moments, existence is a miraculous and mysterious reality.People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child--our own two eyes. All is a miracle

all Buddhas

All Buddhas are alike All Buddhas have one purposeand one purpose only:to save the sentient beings from useless sufferings.But because human beingshave different temperaments,even after they become Buddha , each Buddha has his own unique wayof appealing to people.Because the Gautama or Sakyamuni Buddhais the last Buddha to appear on this earth, it is through himand through him only that we get to knowof the existence of other Buddhasand Buddha lands.It is therefore most appropriate that we master and honor all the basic teachings of Gautama Buddha first and foremost,even if we are attracted to theways of other Buddhasin alleviating and stopping suffering.It is like, no matter how much we love an uncle or an aunt,our parents are still our parents, first and foremost,then comes our uncle or aunt.May all have the right priorities.

My baby Lacie

She is a English ShellieS

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