If you are depressed, you live in the past…
If you are anxious, you live in the future…
If you are happy … You live in the present.
~Lao Tzu
Life is a mixture of sunshine and rain, teardrops and laughter,
pleasure and pain. Just remember, there was never a cloud
that the sun couldn’t shine through. ~Unknown
Make someone happy, then you’ll be happy too.
The art of happiness is to serve all. To be truly happy, we must think not only of how
we can help ourselves, but how we can help others. ~Unknown
Upasika Nary
Vipassana meditation at the Peace Meditation Center, Wat Kirivongsa Bopharam in Massachusetts.
by Ajahn Chah
Meditation is not separate from the rest of life. All situations provide opportunity to practice, to grow in wisdom and compassion. Ajahn Chah teaches that the right effort for us is to be mindful in all circumstances without running away from the world but to learn to act without grasping or attachment.
Furthermore, he insists that the foundation of a spiritual life is virtue. Although virtue is neglected in our modern society, it must be understood and honoured as a fundamental part of meditation. Virtue means taking care so that we do not harm other beings by thought, word, or deed. This respect and caring puts us into a harmonious relationship with all life around us. Only when our words and deeds come from kindness can we quiet the mind and open the heart. The practice of non-harming is the way to begin turning all life situations into practice.
To further establish our lives on the Middle Way, Ajahn Chah recommends moderation and self reliance. A life of excess is difficult soil for the growth of wisdom. To take care with the basics-such as moderation in eating, sleeping, and in speech-helps bring the inner life into balance. It also develops the power of self-reliance. Don’t imitate the way others practice or compare yourself to them, Ajahn Chah cautions; just let them be. It is hard enough to watch your own mind, so why add the burden of judging others. Learn to use your own breath and everyday life as the place of meditation and you will surely grow in wisdom.
Meditation in Action
Proper effort is not the effort to make something particular happen. It is the effort to be aware and awake in each moment, the effort to overcome laziness and defilement, the effort to make each activity of our day meditation.
How to play with your cat: Playtime isn’t just for cats—it’s for their people, too. Your cat’s speed and grace will amaze you as she dashes about, trying to catch her “prey.”
Toss a crumpled ball of paper for her to chase—she may even bring it back to you. Some cats love to “fetch” so much that they will actually initiate the game by dropping a toy in your lap for you to throw. Source: The Humane Society of the United States
Why it’s important for cats to play: Toys and regular playtime are part of providing your cat with a stimulating environment, which makes for a happy and healthy cat. Play gives them an outlet for their energy, mental and physical stimulation, the opportunity to satisfy their instinctual hunting drive and a chance to bond with you. Source: The Humane Society of the United States
Two sweet words difficult to say in life:
‘Hi’ for the first time to unknown person.
‘Bye’ for the last time to a loved ones.
~latest sms
When life is good do not take it for granted as it will pass. Be mindful,
be compassionate and nurture the circumstances that find you in this good
time so it will last longer. When life falls apart always remember that this too
will pass. Life will have its unexpected turns. ~Ajahn Brahm
Careful patience is the fastest way…
If we want to go further, then instead of being silently aware of whatever comes
into the mind, we choose silent present-moment awareness of just one thing.
~Ajahn Brahm
How many times have you tried to solve “the problem”? you’ll be trying to solve
it not just until you die but for many more lifetimes. Instead, understand that this world
is just the play of the senses. It’s the five khandhas doing their thing; it has nothing to do
with you. It’s just people being people, the world being the world. ~Ajahn Brahm
Silence is so much more productive of wisdom and clarity than thinking.
~Ajahn Brahm
ព្រះត្រៃបិដក ប្រែថា កញ្រ្ចែង ឬ ល្អី ៣ សម្រាប់ដាក់ផ្ទុកពាក្យពេចន៍នៃព្រះសម្មាសម្ពុទ្ធ
The Tipitaka or Pali canon, is the collection of primary Pali language texts which form the doctrinal foundation of Theravada Buddhism. The three divisions of the Tipitaka are: Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, Abhidhamma Pitaka.
វចនានុក្រមសម្តេចសង្ឃ ជួន ណាត
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Listen to Khmer literature and Dhamma talk by His Holiness Jotannano Chuon Nath, Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia Buddhism.
Should anyone wish to ridicule me and make me an object of jest and scorn why should I possibly care if I have dedicated myself to others?
Let them do as they wish with me so long as it does not harm them. May no one who encounters me ever have an insignificant contact.
Regardless whether those whom I meet respond towards me with anger or faith, may the mere fact of our meeting contribute to the fulfilment of their wishes.
May the slander, harm and all forms of abuse that anyone should direct towards me act as a cause of their enlightenment.
As a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, so the wise are not shaken by blame and praise. As a deep lake is clear and calm, so the wise become tranquil after they listened to the truth…
Good people walk on regardless of what happens to them. Good people do not babble on about their desires. Whether touched by happiness or by sorrow, the wise never appear elated or depressed. ~The Dhammapada
