Episode 194 - Enjoying without attachment
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
Joy and pleasures are woven into the fabric of our lives. The teachings of Buddha invite us to dance with moments of delight without the chains of attachment. In this episode, we explore how to savor the pleasures of life while releasing the grip of attachment. Way to enjoy life's pleasures without the pain of attachment: Enjoy the Moment Accept what is Let go of the past and future Enjoy the moment We discover a world of joy by fully immersing ourselves in each moment. Instead of fixating on the past or yearning for the future, let's learn to be present, allowing joy to...
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Episode 193: Compassion as antidote to anger
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
For the average person, Moments of anger are inevitable. They can flare up in response to various triggers, from personal frustrations to global injustices. However, according to the Buddha's teachings, there is a powerful antidote to this destructive emotion: compassion. In Buddhism, compassion is revered as a guiding light, illuminating the path towards healing and awakening. At the heart of Buddhist philosophy lies the understanding of interconnectedness. Understanding interconnectedness leads to an awareness that everything we do as an individual affects the rest of humanity....
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Episode 192 - Solving Anger with Dharma
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
In this episode, we delve into a universal human experience: anger. But fear not! We're not just exploring the problem; we're diving into solutions. Get ready for an enlightening journey as we uncover practical strategies rooted in Buddhist wisdom to tame the flames of anger and cultivate inner peace. We can learn how to transform the energy of anger into understanding and compassion. Through understanding and compassion we can heal ourselves and be a refuge of peace for others. In fact, in the story associated with the following verse, Buddha said: ‘Because I am patient and do...
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Important Announcement
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
Virtual Classes with JoAnn Fox start this Saturday, March 2nd! You can enroll any time! What: An ongoing study program to practice the entire path of Buddhism. Join us at any point! When: Saturdays 10 am EST Why: People often have to study Buddhism in a piecemeal fashion. JoAnn participated in a virtual teacher training program for over ten years that presented the whole path of Buddhism. This systematic approach makes the path very clear. It makes it much easier to practice and creates deeper inner change. JoAnn wants others to have the...
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Episode 191 - Got problems? Buddha has solutions.
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
Renunciation is the determination to be free from our own cycle of suffering and dissatisfaction. Renunciation is a state of mind, like patience, compassion, or contentment. Much like these virtuous states of mind, developing renunciation leads us to deeper and deeper levels of inner peace. In this episode, we explore how renunciation directs our focus toward spiritual development, creates happiness, and how we can develop this state of mind. Normally, we're always looking for something...something to ease discomfort, abate dissatisfaction or boredom, or give us pleasure. If we're...
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Episode 190 - Renunciation: This is the way
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
In today's episode, we explore the profound concept of renunciation in Buddhism. True renunciation isn't about abandoning pleasure but transforming our relationship with it. Join us as we unravel the complexities of renunciation and explore a path to genuine contentment. Renunciation is the wish to break free from the cycle of suffering (samsara) by overcoming our deeply ingrained mental habits of ignorance and attachment. We begin by realizing the futility of expecting lasting satisfaction from transient phenomena (material things, people, opinions, expectations of others, etc.) ...
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Episode 189 - Transforming the Three Poisons
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
In this episode, we explore the antidotes to the three poisons — greed, anger, and ignorance. The three poisons are the fundamental sources of suffering. Join us to discover how generosity counters greed, loving-kindness conquers anger, and the realization of emptiness opposes ignorance. Explore the transformative power of applying ancient wisdom to today's busy life. Anger blinds individuals to compassion and disrupts our inner peace. Anger is also the most potent destroyer of good karma. Greed, or attachment, arises from the craving for possessions, experiences, or people. Attachment leads...
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Episode 188 - Practicing Impermanence
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
Buddha's teachings on impermanence empower practitioners to develop a mindset far less prone to suffering, anxiety, and worry. By embracing the ever-changing nature of existence, we create a wise and resilient approach to life's challenges. In this episode, listeners are encouraged to apply impermanence to something causing them to suffer. Practical ways to apply impermanence to alleviate our suffering: Accepting Change: Impermanence teaches that all phenomena are transient and subject to change. Nothing in this world--including our emotions, relationships, material...
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Episode 187 - Cleaning up bad karma
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
There is a way to purify negative karma! Phew. Buddha taught the Four Powers of Purification as a method to purify the negative karma we’ve created in the past. The powers of purification act together or alone. For example, as soon as we have even a moment of regret for some harm we’ve done, we start to purify that karma. However, to fully purify negative karma form previous actions, the four powers can be used as a meditation. This practice illuminates Buddhism’s most essential tenet: that we can profoundly change--and even become a completely pure, enlightened being. How...
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Episode 186 - Change your view and everything changes
Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
Within Tibetan Buddhism, Buddhists are sometimes referred to as "inner beings." What this means is that we turn inward. We learn to cultivate happiness and solve problems by changing our thoughts and actions. Like a sculptor with clay, our mind shapes our experiences. By observing thoughts, feelings, and habits, we gain insight into the workings of the mind. With this awareness, we can transform mental mental states to alleviate suffering. Understanding that the source of a problem is inside a person doesn't imply blame but highlights our potential for growth and transformation....
info_outlineIn this episode, we look at the meaning of going for refuge. Typically when we think of refuge, it means a source of protection. Refuge is comfort and safety in the storm. The way a person becomes a Buddhist is by going for refuge to the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Someone enters into Buddhism by seeking a solution to their pain or problems in the Dharma, or the teachings. The refuge we speak of is actually the experience of finding a solution to our suffering through the practice of a teaching. The other two Jewels of Refuge are Buddha--the source of the teachings--and Sangha, the spiritual community that supports our practice.
We have been seeking temporary refuge since we first cried in pain or hunger. The first thing we turned to for refuge was our mother. When we were suffering and could not yet speak, she tried to discover the source of our pain and solve it for us. Since then, we have adopted so many sources of refuge. Some things we have come to turn to in an effort to alleviate our pain may even cause us more confusion and pain.
We can distinguish between temporary refuge and ultimate refuge. Ultimate refuge meets certain criteria:
- It doesn’t cause any unwanted side effects or more problems
- It makes us feel peaceful
- It predictably makes us feel peaceful everytime we turn to it
- It addresses the real cause of the problem
We can check whether something is temporary refuge by examining how we are trying to solve a certain problem or feel better in a situation. For example, if someone is uncomfortable in a social situation and drinks a lot of alcohol to quell their anxiety-- it may cause a lot of unwanted side effects, from a hangover to some regrettable behavior. By contrast, ultimate refuge is when we turn to wisdom to help us solve our problem or feel better. For example, if a close family member irritates us, we might try to look at the situation differently and develop compassion for them. Everytime we feel compassion for them in a circumstance that would normally annoy us, and our mind remains peaceful rather than upset, we have sought an ultimate refuge. Ultimate refuge, life Refuge in the Three Jewels, is turning inward to solve our problems. We become an inner being, with the tools to transform any external situation.
Always wide awake
Are the disciples of Gotama
Who constantly, day and night,
Are mindful of the Buddha. (296)
Always wide awake
Are the disciples of Gotama
Who constantly, day and night,
Are mindful of the Dharma. (297)
Always wide awake
Are the disciples of Gotama
Who constantly, day and night,
Are mindful of the Sangha.
--Buddha, The Dhammapada
If you are interested in learning how you can work with JoAnn Fox as a Life/Spiritual Coach, visit https://buddhismforeveryone.com/coaching
References and LinksBuddha.The Dhammapada. Translated by Gil Fronsdale. (Kindle). Shambala, Boston and London, 2011, pp. 75-76