Episode 122 - Non-attachment
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
In this episode, we explore attachment and some simple ways to practice non-attachment. The concept of non-attachment is often misunderstood. For example, we still love people even while practicing non-attachment. We still have homes, jobs, and goals even as we lesson our attachment. Non-attachment does not mean being separated from people or things, but changing the way we relate to them. Lessened worry and anxiety, peace of mind, and more enjoyment are only a few of the innumerable benefits that come from non-attachment, Benefits of non-attachment Less worry Less anxiety ...
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Right Concentration
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
In this episode we look at Right Concentration, one part of the Noble Eightfold Path. In general, concentration in meditation is single-pointedness on the object of meditation. Like a laser, concentration eliminates distraction. When one attains a state of single-pointed concentration a unique feeling of tranquility accompanies it. Thus, there are two features of concentration: unbroken attentiveness on an object and a feeling of peace that arises with this absorption. When training in concentration, this feeling makes you very clearly aware that your consciousness has become more subtle. It...
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Episode 120 - Right Mindfulness
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
In this episode we explore Right Mindfulness, one of the Noble Eightfold Path. In general, mindfulness means awareness, presence of mind, or attentiveness. What sets Right Mindfulness apart from secular mindfulness is that it is taught as a skill that supports the Buddhist path to enlightenment. Mindfulness in this context is part of the eightfold path that leads to the realization of the four noble truths and the end suffering. In Pali, the phrase referring to Buddhist mindfulness is samma sati, which translates as “wise mindfulness.”Mindfulness as a factor of concentration helps us stay...
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Episode 119 - Right Livelihood
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
This episode dives deep into Right Livelihood, one of the Noble Eightfold Path as laid out by the Buddha. The Eightfold Path is a spiritual path that leads us to deeper and deeper levels of peace and happiness. Ultimately, following all eight of the Eightfold Path until our mind is purified of ignorance, attachment, and selfishness, leads us to enlightenment. When we talk about a path, it signifies a way that leads us somewhere. For anyone who has ever been given the wrong directions to a destination, we know there are things that lead us in the right direction and also in the wrong direction....
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Episode 118 - Right Action
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
In this episode we take a deep dive into what Buddha meant by Right Action or conduct. Right Action is part of the Noble Eightfold Path, which lays out the gradual path to enlightenment. Right action means a abstains from non-virtuous actions of body, principally: Killing Stealing Sexual misconduct Abandoning taking life This refers not just to killing human beings, but to refrain from intentionally killing any living, specifically sentient beings means humans, animals and insects. The positive aspect of abandoning killing is having compassion and kindness toward all living...
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Right Speech - Episode 117
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
This episode explores Right Speech, as part of a series on the Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path. In the context of the spiritual path, Right Speech is more than just an ethical discipline of behavior. Right Speech is a vital part of purifying our mind so that we can attain spiritual realizations and deeper levels of wisdom. Almost everyone in our modern society engages in some type of unskillful speech. Yet, our speech is so powerful to affect others. If our speech comes from loving-kindness, we can be a mirror that shows someone their beautiful qualities. Conversely, our words can do great...
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Episode 116 - Right Effort
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
This episode focuses on Right Effort, one part of the Noble Eightfold Path. Buddha repeatedly taught the importance of effort, for realizing the rest of the eightfold spiritual path depends on effort. In this context effort means energy directed toward cultivating the mind. The path begins with an impure mind and a wish to change; the liberated mind is the culmination of the path.what comes between is unrelenting effort. Here we focus on the four powers of effort, which teaches us how to make positive change unstoppable. Time and again the Buddha has stressed the need for effort,...
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Episode 115 - Right View
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
In this episode, we explore Right View connoting the realization of emptiness. Right View is part of the Noble Eightfold Path, laid out by Buddha as the gradual path to enlightenment. All eight parts of the path are practiced concurrently as we move along our spiritual journey. The eight parts are not sequential or practiced one-at-a-time, but you could say that the realization of emptiness is what directly leads to enlightenment. All the other parts are absolutely necessary to prepare and purify the mind until it can realize the true nature of reality, emptiness. Emptiness describes how...
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Episode 114 - Karma Bandits
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
This episode is dedicated to Right View, one part of The Noble Eightfold Path. Right View has two parts to it: a mundane right view and a superior right view (emptiness).Today we look at mundane right view which adopts the understanding and belief in karma. It is specifically, “right view of the ownership of action” (kammassakata sammaditthi). What does it mean to live mindfully in accordance with the of karma? “All created things are suffering.” Seeing this with insight, One becomes disenchanted with suffering. This is the path to purity. (278)* —Buddha, The...
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Episode 113 - Right Intention Part - 3: Harmlessness
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
In this last of a three episode series on Right Intention, one of the Noble Eightfold Path, we look at how to practice the aspect of harmlessness. Right intention has three parts: Renunciation, Loving-kindness, and Harmlessness. Buddhist Teacher, JoAnn Fox, also shares a meditation and daily mindfulness practice to help us cultivate harmlessness. What is harmlessness in Buddhism Harmlessness is a mind that opposes the wish to harm. It is also a path we cultivate gradually to its highest fruition—becoming harmless toward all living beings. It is compassion that helps us develop...
info_outlineIn this episode, we explore Right View connoting the realization of emptiness. Right View is part of the Noble Eightfold Path, laid out by Buddha as the gradual path to enlightenment. All eight parts of the path are practiced concurrently as we move along our spiritual journey. The eight parts are not sequential or practiced one-at-a-time, but you could say that the realization of emptiness is what directly leads to enlightenment. All the other parts are absolutely necessary to prepare and purify the mind until it can realize the true nature of reality, emptiness. Emptiness describes how reality actually exists as opposed to the way it appears. Emptiness does not mean nothingness. When you say your glass is empty and you want a refill, it means your glass is empty of something. Similarly, when Buddha says reality is empty, it means reality is empty of something specific: reality is empty of inherent existence. A chair is empty of existing inherently as a chair, for example. You are empty of existing as “I” (there are countless other beings also perceiving themselves as “I”). We are empty of existing inherently as old, young, a painter, a lawyer, smart, dumb, or any other label we have accepted. These are just mere labels, mere appearances to mind. To explain how conventional reality does exist, Buddha explained that all things are mere labels or mere appearance to mind. Right View then has two parts: the ultimate truth that all things are empty and conventional truth, that all things are mere name, mere label, mere appearance, and impermanent. Conventional and Ultimate Truth are two sides of the same coin. They are the two ways that reality does exist, and not the way things normally appear to us.
We grasp at things as inherently attractive; if we didn’t, we would never get attached. We grasp at things as inherently unattractive; if we didn’t, we would never get upset. We believe our mind’s projections of beauty and ugliness. A traditional analogy to help us understand how conventional reality exists is the magician’s illusion. A magician might conjure the illusion of a ferocious tiger lunging into the audience, and the audience is frightened and crying. The magician, however, is unmoved because he knows it is an illusion. We are like a magician casting an illusion of the reality of our personal world, but believing the illusion we created. We chase attractive illusions and run from unpleasant illusions.
Why does our reality appear the way it does?
Our karma causes appearances to be attractive or unpleasant, not the things themselves. The karmic appearances that come from good karma are beautiful or pleasant. Karmic appearances from negative karma are unpleasant or frightening. But these appearances are all just like magician’s illusions--things are not inherently beautiful or unpleasant. Realizing the conventional truth of reality, that things are mere appearances to mind, is like the magician knowing his illusion isn’t real. This knowing magician remains at peace in the midst of illusion. Similarly, when we understand conventional and ultimate truth, even a little, we have more flexibility of mind to change the way we see things. We can choose to see a difficult situation differently. We can even come to see that challenging situation in a way that we will feel grateful for it. When we understand that reality is empty of existing inherently, it becomes infinitely full of possibilities.
“All created things are suffering.”
Seeing this with insight,
One becomes disenchanted with suffering.
This is the path to purity. (278)*
“All things are not-self.”
Seeing this with insight,
One becomes disenchanted with suffering.
This is the path to purity. (279)*
Links and References
Her Daughter Was Kidnapped by Traffickers. So She Trafficked Herself. Vice World News.
https://www.vice.com/en/article/5dbv4a/mother-rescue-trafficked-daughter-bangladesh-india
Buddha.The Dhammapada. Translated by Gil Fronsdale. (Kindle). Shambala, Boston and London, 2011, pp. 72 (Link)
Yeshe, Thubten. Introduction to Tantra. Wisdom Publications; Revised ed. edition (June 10, 2005). (Kindle). Link