Your Brain at Work is the title of David Rock’s book that presents strategies to overcome distractions, regain focus, and be smarter all day long. One of the most successful strategies is the reappraisal of anything external that causes distress. Like the Buddha‘s teaching of the The Second Arrow, the pain caused by the distress […]
The Three Poisons
The three poisons or the three roots (of suffering) were the subject of Brother Phap Vu‘s dharma talk on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the Earth Holder Retreat in the Deer Park Monastery. The three poisons are variously translated as shown in the following table (reading down) desire greed attraction hatred ill-will aversion ignorance illusion […]
Just Pay Appropriate Attention
Here is another quote from Matthew Kelly, this time from his book, Perfectly Yourself: 9 Lessons for Enduring Happiness. He is teaching us to just pay appropriate attention. He calls it “just do the next right thing.” Appropriate attention is an important Buddhist concept that came down to us as yoniso manasikara. It implies paying […]
Skillful Means
Skillful means in Buddhism are practices which promote listening deeply to others, understanding their suffering, and recognizing their different needs. Some people may need to appeal to the bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteshvara to assuage their pain and suffering. Others may simply need a compassionate listener to express their feelings. Skillful means enhance our social connections […]
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