Best Of
Re: Being a light unto yourself
Listened to this talk from Joseph Goldstein today. In it he talks about the ongoing work that needs to be done even after a degree of awakening. That a stumbling block that some advanced practitioners encounter is believing that their awakening experience means they're done and therefore the insights they may have are pure and coming from that source of awakening, when in fact there are still plenty of defilements coloring things.
person
Let Them
I just became aware of an idea/book that has been the new trend/very popular idea by Mel Robbins. #1 bestseller everywhere, Oprah book, etc.
Its not a new idea, its kind of about being non judgmental, non controlling and personally agentic, but the simple framing in the context of our agitated world seems to have struck a chord with people.
My take is "Let Them" means accept people and situations for what they are. Stop seeking to control the world. Then there is the second half of the 4 word phrase, "Let Me". Turn your focus from what the world is doing into how you can respond. So even things that are universally agreed to be wrong like sexual harassment at work. Let Them means you don't spend your energy wishing the other person would be different, Let Me puts the energy into what action you can take, confront the harasser, go to HR, leave the job, etc.
person
Re: Being a light unto yourself
Ah ha the difference between childish and 'like a child'
My feeling is this limited processing continues ad infinitum 
...but then what do I know...
lobster
Being a light unto yourself
I have come to the realisation that the Buddha was right to tell us to be a light unto ourselves. There is only so much you can learn from others, and instead of just finding writings that you agree with it is better to develop your own understanding. This requires that you get to know yourself, and understand your place in the world, and comprehend what you think is significant.
In a way, by reading and memorising the sayings of the Buddha you end up adding a layer of conditioning to all those that were there before, and by speaking from that knowledge it is often the Buddha who speaks. Your own voice, drawing on your own understanding, can get lost in the endless thoughts of other people. This happens when you speak on topics you have only read or heard about, but that are not your lived experience.
Getting to know your own beliefs (as opposed to other people’s beliefs) is an important step.
Jeroen
Re: Good news
I have started making an effort of seeking out and sharing good news. I believe this is necessary, helpful and sanifying (is that a word?) due to the media climate and global events.
My energies are limited, I am limited. I could use your help. Together, we can definitely do it.
What about we take upon ourselves a 30 day challenge of there being at least 1 positive news story on NB for people to read?
If yes, I would open a new thread so that the OP with the intention is at the beginning. Like this post to join.
Basically, if it was already evening where people are living, we would seek out a positive news story and post. There are aggregators for this, it would be 2 minutes, and more about remembering and the intention/willingness to do it.
Might be good communal practice.
marcitko
Re: All Things Apple (was MacBook Air, but things evolve...)
I’d think it would have to have capabilities far in excess of a phone, and there would have to be significant demand for those capabilities, for this to be viable. My phone has replaced my phone, answering machine, stereo, calculator, bookstore , public library, camera, flashlight, map book, phonebook, address book, and largely my computer. If a phone can do ChatGPT, why would I put up with carrying another gadget? The trend is in the opposite direction.
Steve_B