Best Of
Re: Insight on the Eightfold Path
I stepped off the Path, and became over-involved with personal matters I considered vital and essential to my progress and existence.
I was wrong. While they did - and still do - require some attention, I no longer permit them to overwhelm me, or centrally occupy my attention.
I began to follow The Walk of Peace, on Facebook (which I hold in contempt, like WhatsApp and Instagram) and was horrified to learn one of the monks lost his lower leg in an accident that occurred about a month into the Walk.
His extraordinarily matter-of-fact attitude, positivity, calmness and acceptance, did much to jolt me out of my materialistic stupor.
I'm now reading "The Mindful Path - combining psychotherapy and Buddhist Practices" by Michael Jones, Ph.D. implementing the 8-fold Path, from a psychotherapeutic angle.
I'm loving every line, as it explores all Eight Factors in depth, and how to best implement them practically.
J'y suis; J'y reste.
The Bitch is back. 🥰🙏
federica
Re: Insight on the Eightfold Path
Perfectly stated. The practical aspect is really where the Dharma comes alive. It's one thing to memorize the list, but another to apply "Right Livelihood" or "Right Speech" in a modern commercial world.
I recently bookmarked this article because it focuses on how to actually practice these steps in a very modern, relatable way. It helped me realize that even starting small with one or two areas can lead to a big shift in perspective. Worth a look for those looking for a roadmap: What Is the Noble Eightfold Path? (And How to Actually Practice It)
IAMFINE
Re: What movies are you watching?
I'm really hyped about this. I wish theaters would show it where I live, but they aren't going to so I have to wait until it gets released in some other country on physical/digital media. I loved the previous film of the director Long Day's Journey Into Night from 2018, it was purely sensational, what cinema was meant to be. I expect nothing less from this.
I also watched some Tsai Ming-liang films. He has a "walker" series where he films a monk just walking very slowly. I'll get to it sometime, for now, Goodbye, Dragon Inn was my favorite, a meditative piece on cinema. Taipei Suicide Story was also a favorite of mine, different director and only 45 minutes. It was a great way to start the year, with so many amazing experiences.
RobinH
Insight on the Eightfold Path
2. Right Intention
3. Right Speech Ethical Conduct
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort Mental Development
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration
The Noble Eightfold Path describes the way to the end of suffering, as it was laid out by Siddhartha Gautama. It is a practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing the individual from attachments and delusions; and it finally leads to understanding the truth about all things. Together with the Four Noble Truths it constitutes the gist of Buddhism. Great emphasis is put on the practical aspect, because it is only through practice that one can attain a higher level of existence and finally reach Nirvana. The eight aspects of the path are not to be understood as a sequence of single steps, instead they are highly interdependent principles that have to be seen in relationship with each other.
http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/eightfoldpath.html
Re: Ploggers of the world...unite!
Those of you enjoying plogging might enjoys this excellent animated steam punk series
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scavengers_Reign
... and now back to the rubbish 
lobster
Re: Experience of mantra practice
@lobster I recognize that seven line prayer. That's one that comes to mind for me sometimes as it's chanted a lot before or after dharma talks. Worded differently but must be same origin
Jeffrey
Re: Experience of mantra practice
I find sometimes singing gospel songs sets my mind at ease.
Jeroen
Re: "Walk For Peace" monks in the US from Texas to Washing D.C.
They seem to be getting lots of coverage from local tv stations, like this piece…
Jeroen
Re: Experience of mantra practice
@Jeffrey said:
I hear in dharma talks often chanting before and after. Like an example people might have heard in the heart sutra "gate, gate, paragete, parasamgati,,,bodhisvaha". There is a meaning to that mantra. Sometimes I find myself spontaneously thinking of a mantra during my ordinary day
Being unprecepted, the other day I had a small glass of port and mature cheddar on digestive biscuits.
That night the nightmares came and also me chanting in my dreams to placate their arising.
This is the mantra I used in my zzz
https://www.shambhala.com/topic/seven-line-prayer/
lobster
Change is Inevitable ...(Levels of) Suffering Optional
The world as we know it is shifting from an old comfort-zone illusion into a more challenging one.
Dharma practice remains the same, flowing with change as it always has.
The world is changing in unsettling ways.
Dharma practice is not shaken by the change.
Dharma practice is designed for times like these.
Just some food for thought to ponder...
Shoshin1