Tag: Dharma

  • Escape the Sinking Burning Ship

    The following simile is one of my attempts to explain what motivates me to take the Dhamma journey, simplify life, meditate and so on. People see things in quite different ways, with different values, different assumptions and knowledge about reality. This leads people to adopt different behaviour and morality. Because of how we view reality…

  • Strategic Intent Supported by Attention

    Our habitual mental states, our daily intentions and inclinations generate kamma. Lord Buddha encouraged us to diligently restrain the six sense doors and to wisely attend the skillful mental states that lead away from suffering and toward liberation. Samyuttanikaaya SN.II.12.38. Volition (เจตนาสูตรที่) At Saavatii. “Bhikkhus, what one intends, and what one plans, and whatever one…

  • Remedies for Restless Minds

    Five HindrancesLord Buddha identified five hindrances (nivaarana) to mental development: lust, anger, sleepiness, restlessness and doubt. There are many synonyms for these hindrances and other commentators may use different words. A keen student who is not familiar with these five hindrances would do well to study them further. Essentially these five hindrances are symptoms of…

  • Restraint of the Six Sense Bases

    The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Saṃyutta Nikāya ; Translated from the Pāli by Bhikkhu BodhiSelected discourses from the Salaayatanasamyutta – Connected Discourses on the Six Sense Bases SN.35.96 (3) Decline Sutta, p.1178 … “And how, bhikkhus, is one subject to decline? Here, bhikkhus, when a bhikkhu has seen a form…

  • Restraint of the Six Sense Bases

    The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Saṃyutta Nikāya ; Translated from the Pāli by Bhikkhu BodhiSelected discourses from the Salaayatanasamyutta – Connected Discourses on the Six Sense Bases SN.35.96 (3) Decline Sutta, p.1178 … “And how, bhikkhus, is one subject to decline? Here, bhikkhus, when a bhikkhu has seen a form…

  • Jhaana – Absorption

    Jhaana is a Paali word that may be translated as absorption. “The jhānas are states of meditation where the mind is free from the five hindrances (craving, aversion, sloth, agitation, doubt) and (from the second jhāna onwards) incapable of discursive thinking. The deeper jhānas can last for many hours. When a meditator emerges from jhāna,…

  • Four Factors for Success Applied to Worthy Projects

    May everyone successfully complete worthy projects. May those projects be beneficial and not harmful. I would like to share the four factors for success – chanda, viriya, citta and vimamsaa also known collectively in Paali language as the iddhipaada. [source: Samyuttanikaaya 51.1-86] 1. Chanda is the sincere wish to accomplish your goal. It manifests as…

  • Doldrums

    I’m recovering from a cold. Other family members had it before me and recovered already. I’ve been applying for many jobs in the WA and federal governments, many in policy development and project management roles. I’ve had a few interviews and two confirmed rejects. Many applications still pending. I’m confident the right job will come…

  • Adrift

    It is ironic that only one month ago, I was working in a Government unit that monitored and approved funding for Centrelink. Last week, I registered as a Centrelink job seeker. One month ago, I was netting over $1000 per week and now I have no income. Centrelink, New Start allowance is not available for…

  • Debt free

    My plan now is to find employment as soon as possible and live cheaply while saving money to continue my journey. I’ve been looking at job vacancies in the WA state government, universities and state branches of Commonwealth government departments. There seem to be quite a few positions that may suit my experience and background.…