(approx 12 minutes) I have noticed on many occasions that I believe that my current mood, whatever it is, will be a permanent feature of my existence. I can see that this is not helpful, for example it makes it easy to build up wildly inaccurate versions of the future. It is disconcerting to see how much a mood can condition/distort the thought process and also effect decisions and relationships. Which skills and practices would be the most effective in counteracting this? Trying to observe a mood without being drawn into it even further can sometimes be tricky. I am not expecting a quick fix! Variety of approaches, agility, a repertoire of skills, techniques, 3 categories, cutting through, seeing through, burning through, sapling, resignation,spectrum, lemon, tomato,red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, apparent reality, actuality,meditation retreat, coarse and refined mind states, resentment, compassion, contentment.
Q: A Time of Dhamma Declining
(approx 10 minutes)My questions are somehow a follow-on to the last ones you answered about the increase of greed, hatred and delusion. The Internet is also full of AI generated so called quotes by the Buddha and other great Sages. And also self appointed gurus who come up with somewhat dubious teachings. It is not always easy to avoid this and I feel I can get influenced by it. Is this now the time the Buddha was talking about when he pointed to the decline of the true Dhamma? Master Tsun Hua, looking outwards, theistic religions, three poisons, greed, hatred, delusion, eating, shaming, betraying our commitment, conscious composure, compassion meditation, fears, worries, anxiety, skilful means, movie, delusion, whole body-mind, apparent reality, actuality, ‘don’t believe it’, ‘don’t disbelieve it’.
UNAVOIDABLE GOOD FORTUNE: full moon - Thursday 17th October 2024
“Even those who live wholesome lives can experience suffering so long as their acts have not yet borne direct fruits. However, when the fruits of their actions ripen the good fortunecannot be avoided.”
DHAMMAPADA v. 120
As autumn arrives and the beauty of a garden in full bloom fades, we might feel some disappointment though on some level we know, and accept, this is the way of things. Despite how it appears, in a few months time the beauty will return. Our spiritual practice aims to teach us similar lessons regarding the ways of our heart: apparent reality is one thing, actuality can be something else altogether. The results of our efforts might not be immediately obvious, and perhaps we wonder, ‘Is it worth investing in generosity, integrity and reflection, while others appear to be having a great time indulging in the opposites?’ This is why having confidence in True Principles is essential. It is wise to trust that unavoidable good fortune is the natural consequence of wholesomeness.