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28Jun

Overcoming Negativity

Categories: Ashram Talks Everything Life Advice
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Cultivating Inner Harmony: Nurturing Positive Qualities to Overcome Negativity

In the pursuit of personal growth and inner peace, one significant hurdle we often encounter is negativity. Whether it manifests as anger, frustration, or a general sense of dissatisfaction, negativity can hinder our well-being and hinder our relationships. Fortunately, the teachings of the Dhamma offer profound wisdom and practical guidance for addressing and transforming negativity into positive qualities. In this article, we will explore the principles of the Dhamma and how they can help us navigate the challenges of negativity in our lives.

Tudong Monk meditating in inner harmony

  1. Recognizing the Nature of Negativity: Negativity, in its various forms, stems from a fundamental resistance to accepting and embracing the present moment. It arises when we reject our experiences and harbor an unwillingness to be fully present with them. By understanding that negativity is rooted in this resistance, we can begin to explore ways to transform it.
  2. Cultivating Wholesome Desire: A key aspect of the Dhamma is the exploration of desire and its effects on our well-being. While craving arises from a lack of understanding and leads to dissatisfaction, wholesome desire emerges from wisdom and insight. By nurturing wholesome desires, such as the aspiration for inner peace and the well-being of oneself and others, we align our intentions with the path of growth and harmony.
  3. Transforming Negative Emotions: The Dhamma offers powerful tools for transforming negative emotions into positive qualities. Mindfulness plays a crucial role in this process, as it enables us to observe our emotions without judgment or attachment. Through mindfulness, we become aware of the physical and mental cues that precede negativity, allowing us to respond skillfully rather than react impulsively.
  4. The Power of Compassion: Compassion is another essential aspect of the Dhamma that helps us overcome negativity. By cultivating compassion towards ourselves and others, we develop a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of all beings. Compassion allows us to let go of anger, judgment, and resentment, replacing them with empathy, forgiveness, and loving-kindness.
  5. Wise Reflection and Self-Compassion: In our journey towards overcoming negativity, it is crucial to engage in wise reflection and self-compassion. Instead of being harsh and judgmental towards ourselves, we can cultivate a gentle and understanding attitude. By reflecting on our actions, thoughts, and emotions, we can identify patterns of negativity and consciously choose to respond with wisdom and kindness.

Impermeable Buddha

Dealing with negativity is a universal challenge, but the teachings of the Dhamma provide profound insights and practical tools for transformation. By recognizing the nature of negativity, cultivating wholesome desires, and embracing mindfulness and compassion, we can embark on a journey of inner growth and harmony.

As we develop these positive qualities, we not only uplift ourselves but also create a ripple effect of positivity that extends to our relationships, communities, and the world at large. Let us embrace the teachings of the Dhamma and strive to cultivate inner harmony in the face of negativity.

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21May

Empowering Those Affected by PTSD

Categories: Everything Life Advice
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Harnessing Compassion and Strength to Support PTSD Sufferers

As a sufferer of PTSD, and a person who has spent years studying Mind Sciences and Consciousness Sciences, and Having Been a Buddhist Monk who practiced Mindfulness Meditation, i have gained insights over the years into the causes and solutions to one of Humanity’s greatest Traumatological conundrums, and unsolvable psychological illnesses like PTSD. I would therefore like to attempt to take us all on a transformative journey towards understanding and supporting our loved ones battling Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Today, we embark on a path of heartfelt compassion, recognizing both the resilience of those affected and the unwavering support of their closest allies. Together, we shall delve into the depths of this condition, explore ways to foster empathy, and equip ourselves with empowering knowledge to navigate the challenges that lie ahead.

Understanding the Unseen Battle: Decoding PTSD

Unveiling the Veil of Trauma

PTSD, a formidable mental health condition, arises as a result of traumatic experiences that shake the very foundation of one’s being. It can cast a haunting shadow over the lives of those affected, leaving them grappling with vivid nightmares, debilitating anxiety, and intrusive memories. The path to healing begins with comprehension—a deeper understanding of the symptoms and struggles that encompass this silent battle.

Nurturing a Safe Haven: Creating a Supportive Environment

  1. A Sanctuary of Serenity: In moments of crisis, ensure the physical surroundings provide solace and sanctuary. Seek out quiet spaces where tranquility reigns supreme, shielding the afflicted from potential triggers that may amplify their distress.
  2. Patience: The Anchor of Understanding: Amidst the tempest of emotions, let patience be our guiding light. Remember, dear readers, that time bends to the rhythms of healing, and impatience only fans the flames of unease.
  3. Validating Their Journey: Each step taken along the path of recovery is an arduous feat, deserving of recognition. Validate the experiences of those fighting this invisible battle, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and understood.

The Symphony of Compassion: Interacting with a PTSD Sufferer

  1. A Listening Ear: In the realm of healing, the power of compassionate listening knows no bounds. Offer an attentive ear, lending your unwavering presence as they recount their experiences. Resist the urge to interrupt or judge, embracing empathy instead.
  2. Respecting Boundaries: Understand that tender wounds may lie beneath the surface, waiting for the gentle caress of time to heal. Respect the boundaries set by those with PTSD, avoiding triggers and granting them the space they require.
  3. Support without Strings: Extend a hand of support, without attaching conditions or expectations. Guide them gently, encouraging them to seek professional help from therapists, psychologists, or psychiatrists specializing in trauma and PTSD.

Nurturing the Nurturers: Self-Care for the Allies

  1. An Oasis of Self-Care: Remember, dear readers, that to uplift others, we must first uplift ourselves. Engage in self-care practices, nurturing your own mental and emotional well-being. Seek solace in the embrace of supportive friends, family, and support groups who share your journey.
  2. Hope, the Eternal Flame: Within the hearts of both the afflicted and their allies, hope burns brighter than a thousand suns. Believe in the power of resilience, and ignite the flames of optimism. Remind them that the path to recovery may be winding, but it is paved with the potential for growth and transformation.

Unleashing the Unbreakable Spirit

As we draw our voyage to a close, let us reflect on the profound impact we can make in the lives of those affected by PTSD. Our journey has revealed the transformative power of compassion, understanding, and unwavering support.

Remember, the battle against PTSD is not fought alone. By fostering an environment of empathy, validation, and patience, we empower our loved ones to embrace their strength and embark on the path to healing. Let us be their anchors in the storm, guiding them towards a brighter future.

In our quest for knowledge, it is essential to consult credible sources that provide a comprehensive understanding of PTSD and its treatment. Here are some reputable resources that can further deepen your understanding:

  1. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): The NIMH offers a wealth of information on PTSD, including symptoms, treatments, and current research. Visit their website at www.nimh.nih.gov.
  2. American Psychological Association (APA): The APA provides valuable insights into PTSD, along with resources for individuals and their families. Explore their website at www.apa.org for a wealth of knowledge.
  3. National Center for PTSD: This organization is dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of PTSD. Their website, www.ptsd.va.gov, offers extensive resources for both sufferers and their loved ones.

Remember, dear readers, that knowledge is power, but it is the compassionate application of that knowledge that truly transforms lives. Together, we can create a world where those affected by PTSD find solace, support, and ultimately, healing.

Let us stand shoulder to shoulder, unwavering in our commitment to understanding, tolerance, and empowerment. May our voices resound with compassion, lighting the way for those who may feel lost in the darkness. Together, we can unleash the unbreakable spirit that resides within each one of us.

With hearts aflame and hope ablaze, let us champion the cause of those affected by PTSD. For in our unity lies the power to ignite change, restore lives, and weave a tapestry of resilience.

Until we meet again on the shores of empowerment, continue to nurture compassion, for it is the catalyst for transformation. Farewell for now, but let the echoes of our shared journey reverberate through the corridors of time, reminding us of the unyielding power of empathy and love.

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11Aug

Life Advice Gurus

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Anyone is a Guru These Days on Udemy

There is many a fake life advice guru making a profession out of people’s need or wish to be advised about their lives, and this i find to be unethical, and life advice, should be given freely and with compassion, and never be a profession  itself.

Obviously Fake Guru after a bit of tit and ass and $$$$

 


Anyone is a Guru These Days on Udemy and other such ‘education website academies’ like Khan Academy and the like. All platforms for Charlatans seeking an income from Spiritual Advisory Services!

The Love Guru!

For this reason, i have made a playlist channel for Life Advice, based not on worldly success with the insinuation that this is how to be happy, nor tell you how to live your life, rather, to tell you how i myself find my way of thinking about things, in order to attain peace and happiness, as well as success.

My version of Life Advice, is based on my own mistakes, involves self admission of one’s own forthcomings and faults, and indeed, one’s own sufferings. and recognizing one’s own role in those sufferings. For indeed, inner suffering is mostly self created. I myself have known and seen my own failings and sufferings, and the cause of most of those i created for myself. One thing is seeing suffering.
How to Tell a Real or Fake Guru
But another thing is seeing its causes. Life advice on the internet is usually based on self promotion and worldly success, but happiness, and how to achieve it, is truly the best life advice one can give, for if one is happy, rich or poor, it is always better than unhappy, rich or poor. Riches therefore, do not necessarily provide the causes of happiness.

Bogeyed Guru

Guru Bogi (Bogeye)

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7Mar

Introspection with ADHD and PTSD Using Vipassana

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Introspection with Vippassana Kammathana Mindfulness

Dhamma Diary

( Discovering How to Reverse Engineer Afflictive Emotions – Quantum Dhamma Diary #1)

Sharing Experiences, both those which i have mastered, (and those which i have not, in the hope that even if i cannot master the teaching, perhaps another listener can master it, even if i can’t)

Introspection as a Practitioner of Vipassana, and Ex Bhikkhu, who suffers with ADHD, and PTSD, and practices Vipassana Kammathana; The results from personal experience and study of not only the inner experience in Meditative Contemplation, but also to peruse the Chemical Molecular Formulas, which are sent into the Nervous System, and cause various ’emotional’ states, which we know as a formless, and think of as a spiritual experience, called ’emotion’.  We see things wrongly because of false views and belief in a self that does not truly exist in the unchanging manner we imagine (Sakaaya Dhitti)

Picture; Little Prince by Anuk on deviant art. Source; http://deviantart.com/anuk/art/Le-Petit-Prince-740681883

But in fact, emotions, be they afflictive or pleasant, are not only temporary (Anijja), dis-satisfactory (Dhukkha), and not self (Anatta), as stated by the Lord Buddha, but are also natural physical reactions, due to chemicals released by the brain into the nervous system, based on what one is thinking.

solitude brings insight and self befriendment

What one is thinking is conditioned, and will cause the brain to send chemicals into the nervous system. One unconscious process we can notice consciously which reflects when we are feeling stressed, is the breath.

Controlling the breath, and noticing if it is agitated, or not, is a key to reverse-engineering the chemicals within the nervous system, which causes stress, and agitated breathing, to douse out, or to change the nature of those chemicals, and create a peaceful physical feeling, and hence, a peaceful mind and emotion.

Inner Vision through Introspective Contemplation

The anger, stress, sadness, loneliness, and other afflictive emotions are not sinful. Sin is not the meaning of ‘Defilement’. Defilement is more like a stain that was conditioned as we grew up, and society conditions us, as do human cultural habits and traditions, and which can be ‘polished off’ leaving the consciousness void of impurity, and liberated from afflictive emotions (Dhukkha Vedhana).

Note; Just because I may be able to explain a technique, does not necessarily mean that i myself have mastered it in my own applied practice and manifested it into my life. Watch the Teachings, Not the Teacher.

The Buddha taught that the skandhas were dukkha.

The idea of the body being directly related with the overcoming of inner suffering may be strange to many Buddhists, but in fact, the sutras state more or less the following (taken from Wikipedia);

Vedanā (Pāli; Sanskrit) is a Buddhist term traditionally translated as either “feeling” or “sensation.” In general, vedanā refers to the pleasant, unpleasant and neutral sensations that occur when our internal sense organs come into contact with external sense objects and the associated consciousness.

Vedanā is identified within the Buddhist teaching as follows:

  • One of the seven universal mental factors in the Theravāda Abhidharma.
  • One of the five universal mental factors in the Mahāyāna Abhidharma.
  • One of the twelve links of dependent origination (in both Theravāda and Mahāyāna traditions).
  • One of the five skandas (in both Theravāda and Mahāyāna traditions).
  • One of the objects of focus within the four foundations of mindfulness practice.

5 khandas

In the context of the twelve links, craving for and attachment to vedanā leads to suffering; reciprocally, concentrated awareness and clear comprehension of vedanā can lead to Enlightenment and the extinction of the causes of suffering.

Heaven is in Your Mind

Heaven is in Your Mind

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