Sangha of Auspicious Companions

ALTRUISM AND INNER PEACE

We humans are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others’ actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives in which we do not benefit from others’ activities. For this reason it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others. Nor is it so remarkable that our greatest joy should come when we are motivated by concern for others. But that is not all. We find that not only do altruistic actions bring about happiness, but they also lessen our experience of suffering. Here I am not suggesting that the individual whose actions are motivated by the wish to bring others happiness necessarily meets with less misfortune than the one who does not. Sickness, old age, mishaps of one sort or another are the same for us all. But the sufferings which undermine our internal peace—anxiety, doubt, disappointment—these are definitely less.

Of Interest to Readers

If you enjoy receiving weekly quotes from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, you may also enjoy one or more of the other weekly quotes we offer:

• Tibetan Dharma Quotes of the Week
• Ocean of Dharma: The Everyday Wisdom of Chögyam Trungpa
• Heart Advice from Pema Chödrön.

August 2, 2012

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The Story of Change

“I’ve come to see that we have two parts to ourselves; it’s almost like two muscles — a consumer muscle and a citizen muscle. Our consumer muscle, which is fed and exercised constantly, has grown strong: So strong that “consumer” has become our primary identity, our reason for being. We’re told so often that we’re a nation of consumers that we don’t blink when the media use “consumer” and “person” interchangeably.” In this thought-provoking article and short video, Annie Leonard, the creator of “The Story of Stuff” shares the crux of her latest production — “The Story of Change”, on what it really takes to translate knowledge into meaningful action. { read more }

Be The Change

“A quiet revolution is settling from the inside out. From bottom to top. It is a global operation. A spiritual conspiracy. ” A short, inspiring passage. { more }

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THE PRACTICE OF COMPASSIONATE ABIDING

A question that has intrigued me for years is this: how can we start exactly where we are, with all our entanglements, and still develop unconditional acceptance of ourselves instead of guilt and depression? One of the most helpful methods I’ve found is the practice of compassionate abiding. The next time you realize that you’re hooked, you could experiment with this approach.

Contacting the experience of being hooked, you breathe in, allowing the feeling completely and opening to it. The in-breath can be deep and relaxed—anything that helps you to let the feeling be there, anything that helps you not push it away. Then, still abiding with the urge and edginess of the feeling, as you breathe out you relax and give the feeling space. The out-breath is not a way of sending the discomfort away but of ventilating it, of loosening the tension around it, of becoming aware of the space in which the discomfort is occurring.

Of Interest to Readers

If you enjoy receiving weekly quotes from Pema Chödrön, you may also enjoy one or more of the other weekly quotes we offer:

• Tibetan Dharma Quotes of the Week
• Ocean of Dharma: The Everyday Wisdom of Chögyam Trungpa
• His Holiness the Dalai Lama Quotes of the Week

August 1, 2012

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Life Through A Camera Lens

“‘I couldn’t believe how beautiful the ocean was,’ he commented. ‘I’ve never seen an ocean before, and then to get to see palm trees in person, and to even touch them. It was just amazing.’ He began thumbing through a series of photographs on his phone, each displaying an image of a palm tree.” Though she’d seen many palm trees before, the writer describing this encounter realized in that moment that she’d always taken them for granted. So began her exploration of the wonder that often dwells just beneath the familiar landscape of our lives, and her idea of experimenting with a literal or metaphoric “camera-practice”. { read more }

Be The Change

Do the “camera-practice” today. See if it helps you experience your world in a richer, deeper way.

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July 31, 2012

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Servant Leadership: Helping People Come Alive

“It’s a powerful perspective on work — holding within it a value for collaboration, agency, creativity, and meaning. What if we all could see what we do in that way? What if our organizations supported us in holding that perspective, and to go one step further, how can we create institutions that release these core values? In his seminal 1970 essay ‘The Servant as Leader,’ Robert Greenleaf coined the term “servant leader” to describe someone who has that interest. For such a person, ‘It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead.'” An inspiring article on what it takes for leadership to serve people in coming alive. { read more }

Be The Change

Do an act of servant leadership today — serve someone else in shining brightly.

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May your study of this material deepen
your meditation practice and inspire
your dance with life.

Copyright (C) 2012 Life Balance Institute. All rights reserved.

THE BENEFITS OF THE SIX SYLLABLES

When Orgyen Rinpoche was about to leave for the continent of Camara, he left this final testament:

The benefits of the six syllables (Om mani padme hum) cannot be expressed or reckoned even by all the Buddhas of the three times. Why? Because it is the quintessence of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara’s mind that constantly, compassionately surveys the six types of sentient beings; and because it liberates all beings from the cycle of existence. Therefore, kings and subjects of future generations hold fast to the Great Compassionate One! Recite the six syllables! Have no anxiety about going into the miserable states of existence. This is the tutelary deity of this snowy land of Tibet, so offer prayers of supplication with faith, reverence, and veneration. Blessings will directly be experienced. Do not be of two minds or foster doubt. None of the Buddhas of the three times has taught any Dharma more profound than this. Nor do I, Acarya Padmasambhava, teach or know of anything more profound. Let all the kings and subjects of Tibet who are living now and who will come in the future bear this in mind.

Of Interest to Readers

If you enjoy receiving weekly Tibetan Dharma Quotes, you may also enjoy one or more of the other weekly quotes we offer:

• His Holiness the Dalai Lama Quotes of the Week
• Ocean of Dharma: The Everyday Wisdom of Chögyam Trungpa
• Heart Advice from Pema Chödrön.