Best Of
Re: What music are you listening to?
Dalai Lama is up for a Grammy music award
If he wins hopefully he will sing his acceptance speech (by video link)
lobster
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
In following the group of venerable Bhikkus during their Walk for Peace, I am following the Lead Bhikku Paññākāra's encouragement to see less of my 'lover' (the mobile phone) and to be more physically present for, and to, others, in order to practise Peace, and improve my personal dedication to my Path. So if you only see me sporadically, fear not. I am still here. But not here too.
If you get my drift.
Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu! 🙏🙏🙏
federica
Re: Buddhist Sadhana — what is it?
Well, I am a believer in what is called the bodymind. It is that part of man’s overall makeup where the body and mind meet, which allows the mind to affect the body and vice versa. Further, I think there is also a psychic component, where people touch on things like ancestor spirits, the activities of gifted shamans or psychics, the influence of power places on the Earth, and so on.
I’m not saying the influence of the psychic component is dominant, I think in a lot of cases it is small, mainly because people are turned into doubters and skeptics by reason, logic and science. I think in the world of ones inner self, the spiritual world, feelings trump reason and logic. It’s not only what you believe, but what your senses - visible and invisible - tell you,
Jeroen
Re: Noble Eightfold Path versus 6 Paramitas
Theravada or Mahayana, whatever tradition, school, or sect one finds oneself within, the essence remains the same. Practical approaches may vary, but the results remain the same.
The Four Noble Truths are the roots from which all things Buddhist grow. With genuine understanding, the Eightfold Path becomes not an obligation, but a natural response.
Shoshin1
Re: About Thangka
The thing about Thangkas is that each is a visual metaphor representing the qualities we hope to develop as we progress to enlightenment. For instance, the qualities of Chenrezig represent compassion and each details in the image is a symbolic representation. of compassion If you understant the metaphors in the Thangka, focusing on it helps your mind focus on the inner changes you are seeking to develop within.
Its value does like in the "art" of it, but in how you respond to it. Buddhism is more about mind-training than about "awe" or emotion. You train your mind to be aware, and you learn from your own developing awareness. And, as psychology says, "Learning is shown by a permanent change in some kind of behavior."
Re: Taking Oneself Too Seriously = Suffering
There will always be an element if I. We are, after all, Independent beings.
That said, We can move from "I" - "You" or "I - "They" to "We and "Us" united to blend our differences, cognizant of our own separate uniqueness but creating a greater oneness. In another way, we learn and grow to love ourselves with the kind of live that embraces others with the same love. We expand this love to love of all life. Oh, we still carry all the other emotions, states of life, but our core is the Selfless Self Love.
Thus does the "I" become the "WE", the selfish becomes the selfless.
Peace to all
Lionduck
Re: An online approach
Just now. It was interesting, but I'm out of practice, the last time I meditated like this I was in a group on a sunny day about 14 years and30 kg ago. It'll take some time 'til I get the hang of it. 
Didn't chat with anyone though, it was a video call focused on the meditation and I'm usually intimidated.
RobinH
Re: An online approach
Confusion intensifies. I thought Ganesha is primarily a Hindu deity. But that aside, cool name, although I immediately thought it's a server on its own and this looks like a nice way to collect a bunch of servers to pick from, but I don't see anything closely related to Buddhism. I am cautious with places, especially on the fediverse that build their profile around marginalized identities, because nothing gives me so much anxiety than stepping on a minefield around people who are looking for reasons to take offense and ban you. The type of social media for me is more like this, probably (maybe something with more active members). Even if that doesn't make me very nice.
RobinH
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
I moved the baby hedgehog off the drive, fearing it might get run over/squashed ...
A while back I saw a turtle wandering across my driveway, making its way to the pond ..It had escaped from one of my neighbours......it was on the run
Shoshin1
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
Hedgehog! I love 'em. There are some in my city and it's very comforting knowing that there are still some animals around.
marcitko