Day: December 25, 2021

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right action

Buddhist teachings state this simply as abstaining from killing, abstaining from stealing, and abstaining from sexual misconduct as they relate to sentient beings.

for me …

At first I thought this one was a no brainer but the more I am thinking about it, I have honestly struggled with this one.

In my past, I have killed other sentient beings and not out of need. I am referring to insects and small animals here. I guess there is question as to whether insects are sentient beings (have feelings and consciousness) but I think it is naive to not think so. I am honestly not convinced vegetation couldn’t also be considered sentient! My focus here is immediately on rodents, specifically field mice … if I set out bate and they eat it and die elsewhere, because I am not ‘aware’ of it am I not living with right action?

As far as stealing goes, there was that one time in New Orleans during Mardi Gras in 1999 when I stole that necklace from a street vendor … I still have it, put away, but I have it. Never again.

And let’s talk about sexual misconduct. NEVER have I engaged without consent. Upon reflecting though, I can relate to the idea of objectification. I am embarrassed by some of my past behaviors.

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right speech

Buddhist teachings focus on abstaining from:

  • lying OR speak the truth, hold to the truth, is firm, reliable, no deceiver of the world
  • divisive speech OR speak to create concord/harmony
  • abusive speech OR speak affectionately and politely
  • idle chatter OR speak what is connected with dharma

for me …

I connect this immediately to one of the 8 Keys of Excellence from the Quantum Learning Network (qln.com), speak with good purpose. I share this as a reminder each morning during announcements with the students and teachers in my care.

A point of clarification I would like to make though is that this does not equate to kindness and ‘being nice’ always. True kindness comes from truth telling and while the receiver of the words may not immediately recognize the harmony spoken, but rather focus on the immediate suffering of their ego, at the end of the day being honest and direct is key.

This is an area that our Leaders struggle with. Their constant divisive speech is creating a level of suffering in our world at present that will likely take years to recover from. That terrifies me.

I remember very clearly a point in time during my first year as an administrator when I responded to a teacher who felt as though she had been harmed in some way by something I said previously by telling her that I was not responsible for her feelings. While this came out much harsher than intended, those are some of the truest words I had ever spoken. It is my hope and intention to focus on and consider the collective rather than the individual in the things I say and do because to me, we are one.

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according to Google

According to Buddhist teachings, Dharma is the doctrine and so the universal truth of reality.

In Hinduism, Dharma is one of the four components of Puruṣārtha and represents the behaviors considered to be in accord with Rta. The other 3 components are Artha (means of life; activities and resources), Kama (desire, passion, emotion, pleasure of senses), and Moksha (self-knowledge, self-realization, liberation in this life or from Saṃsāra). It includes duties, rights, laws, conduct, virtues, and ‘right way of living’.

The wheel of dharma, or dharmachakra, is divided in to eight distinct spokes representing the Eightfold Path:

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right view

Right view is an understanding that our thoughts and actions have consequences (karma) and that death is not the end (rebirth).

Right view can be seen as understanding and perhaps embodying the Four Noble Truths:

  • dukkha – suffering, painful, incapable of satisfying
  • samudaya – origin of suffering
  • nirodha – cessation of suffering
  • magga – path (8 fold) leading to nirodha

for me …

I think I have the suffering part down to a science …

For me, I understand the origin of my suffering to be fear and ultimately inaction. I realize that in order of change to occur I have to ‘think a new thought‘ and ‘do a new action.’

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right intention

This addresses one’s motivation. To be ‘harmless’ and to exist ‘without ill-will.’ At a deeper level it can be interpreted as seeing every-one/thing as ‘impermanent,’ a source of suffering, and lacking a Self.

for me …

At my core, I believe in the connectedness of every-one/thing in our Universe. I believe that we are all part of the same energy source just vibing at different frequencies. In our Present, there is so much negativity, hate, and fear in our world that we are crippling our world/humanity as those elements vibrate at a much lower frequency.

By thinking/acting as every-one/thing is disconnected and separate, we create suffering at that is something that our world is excelling at at the moment. I believe that it is the low frequencies of that suffering that is bringing about the dis-ease in our world.

For me then, I am committing to infusing LOVE and positivity in to all that I come in contact with. Years ago I would never dream of telling a child that I loved them out of my own fear of being a male in elementary education. Now though, I don’t think I can say it enough. Our children are hurting, we are in pain, and without raising vibrations through LOVE and positivity, there will not be a new generation.

A little Lenny Kravitz there for you 😉

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you would be 66 today

Happy Birthday Ma.

Your life was cut too short … for me. Though if your last couple of years were any indication of what the remainder of your life was going to be like, I am thankful it did not continue any longer.

I feel guilty for saying that but I have said a million times over, the life you were living from 2013 on was not the life I’d wish on anyone. I am grateful though that we got to spend those additional years together.

I still get the urge to call you each day and check in with you on my way home but there is no one there to answer. I find myself envious of Mo in Breaking Fast that I did not have the foresight to keep your phone number active so I could still call without the risk of some random stranger answering. Perhaps that is holding on to too tightly to the past but even still, to be able to hear your outgoing message every once in a while would be a welcome reminder.

As I sit here writing this, I can’t help but feel as though I have let you down in someway. While we are talking about life not worth living, I am participating in my own at the moment and have no real excuse – hence the letting you down part. You only wanted me to find happiness, and I have not been able to manage that, and for that, I am sorry. You would be heartbroken to know how I have managed to isolate and separate myself from most anyone who cares about me.

I promise to try and do better. Time is running out.