Of the desert blooms

images no longer necessary
words and physical expressions too

feelings of our spirit seem to overflow our forms
propelled by will, directed by heart-mind

every deed, word, thought, becomes a flower
even the desert may yet bloom

Walking evenly among the uneven

Putthassa Loka-dhammehi Cittam Yassa na Kampati

To Be Well Balanced In the Attha-Loka Dhamma Is Most Blissful

I came across a particular section of a translation and explanation of the mangala sutta on the following site here: http://www.mahindaramatemple.com/e-library/mangalasutta6.html

"The Attha-Loka  Dhamma means the law of worldly changes. He who practises ‘Upekkha’ i.e. equanimity, remains unchanged and uninfluenced in the observances of his mental equilibrium in respect of all matters whether worldly or supramundane; and so is therefore most blissful. There are eight worldly conditions namely:  i)  gain ii) loss; iii) fame; iv) ill-fame; v) praise; vi) blame; vii)  happiness  and viii) sufferings.

Ordinary people cling to the pleasant halves of these pairs and reject the other unpleasant halves. The Noble Ones are not shaken by either of the halves, so we should try to develop more equanimity towards gains and loss in the same manner. "




Here the practice of upekkhā (equanimity) is highlighted, I have had a haunch that all four brahmavihāras (abodes of brahma) or appamaññā (immeasurables) are supportive of each other and that efficacy is enhanced by invoking the other three, mettā (loving-kindness), karuṇā (compassion) and mudita (empathetic joy).

One question for this idea though is, "wouldn't one require an object of reflection to invoke these qualities in oneself?" That is true, that these qualities cannot be called upon without something or someone to reflect upon. But we don't have to reflect all four on the same object.

After we reflect on loss, and adopt equanimity toward it, we can adopt kindness toward our self and remove any negative resentment and blame we might still have for our selves. Compassion can step in at this point too to help with the process. After this twin balms are applied, we might be in a more open state to invoke both these reconciling qualities toward others who we see experiencing loss. Aspirations could be made toward aiding in alleviating this kind of suffering in others which you have also experienced and overcome. It could also include determination toward future similar experiences one's self will may experience again in future.

How about empathetic joy then? How does that come in when we are reflecting on loss and suffering? Right, so we have come to terms with our loss, how about others' loss, others' suffering. We apply our equanimity to that knowledge, come to terms with it, see clearer what can, should be done. Then we have our seat of peaceful reflection back. Then we can go on to thinking about others who have lost and suffered and come out of it, wiser, replaced that loss with admirable qualities that will last longer than any material possession. Traded their loss for the truth, and a step toward freedom from bonds. We can develop empathetic joy toward these kinds of people and their gain through 'misfortune'.

Just a thought on how the four immeasurables can be applied together in a practical sense. What do you think?

Forgiving Part I

A text I used to read as part of puja back in my polytechnic days. If this day or in the past, others have done me wrong through body, speech or mind, whether greatly or only little, whether with malice or lack of tact, here before the Buddha, I sincerely forgive them and let go of all my grudge. I forgive, remembering how often I too have been at fault. I forgive, realizing how quick I am to take offence, while expecting my faults to be forgiven. I forgive, knowing that to hold ill-will is to cause myself greater harm than others can do to me. I forgive, resolving not to speak about this wrong to any other beings. I forgive, knowing that desire for revenge only brings the heart turmoil and agitation. I forgive because this is the way love and detachment blossom in the heart. I forgive, knowing that like me, that person is still burning with greed, hatred and delusion,            May my forgiving now help me to forgive again tomorrow.            May my forgiving encourage others to forgive me.            May my forgiving foster detachment and kindness and help in the freeing of the heart.

A dreamling's goals

I've come to know of something called dreamlining. Its somewhat like a different take to new year resolutions and goal setting.

Lets try this then:

Being:
1. a noble friend
2. more skillful in every endevour
3. more aware of own undesirable habits
4. an adherent of the four sublime states
5. contented with what is needed

Having:
1. more mindfulness
2. a suitable livelihood
3. time for the cultivation of heart-mind
4. time for friends and family
5. time to study and understand the world

Doing:
1. meditation and applying it
2. helping mom
3. helping dad
4. learning formally and informally
5. travel

lets see if thats all i need.

Silent is the heart

In love there is silence.
In love there is calmness.

In love there is a great ocean of serenity,
which is feed by the ever-flowing rivers of compassion.

In love there is an ever-warm, ever-glowing sun,
yet it never scorches anyone that comes within its glow.

In love there is an ever-cool breeze,
that never makes you feel cold and lonely.

In love there is a thirst quenching lake,
that gives you the knowledge of your own birdlike wings.

In love there is no boundary,
and those who know love, know boundlessness and the infinite,
yet also know these are equal to the tiniest and everything in between.

In love there is a tiny wild flower,
that may never be spotted among many others,
yet delights those that chance upon it.

May our hearts be truly silent even as it dances along to life's melody

Delusions of conspiracy

I have thought about this subject in the past but not too deeply. How does one fall into this mode of susceptibility to conspiracy theories? Desperation? Hapless grasping of anything that engages the imagination? How does indulgence in extreme conspiracy scenarios provide one with relief? "just do it" Nike's motto comes to mind. Maybe it answers the restless need to find direction when you are lost in a situation. But why not come up with less extreme yet more plausible theories? Why go for the grossly negative one and not the mildly positive one?

It could be like the twisted (more or less is up to you) version of the blue pill, one of two that the character Morpheus offers to Neo to choose between. In this case though taking the blue one would be make-believing in a nightmare fantasy where your feelings of unfairness and injustice are clearly visible and allow you to express your outrage and frustrations. Quite sad if you ask me. I'd like to look further for research into this topic in the near future. Have you given in to paranoia lately?

Find the way

The way is not in the sky
The way is in the heart

What if something else is in the heart?
Is it in the way?
What if it was our loved ones?
Are they in the way?

Or are they on the way?

One thing i did learn,
the way is not in the wallet either

How to live with others on the way?
So we do not mistake them to be in the way
And we might still find the way

Peace be on your way!