This thoughtful post made me think of my absolute favourite mewsing from HHC, in her book 5 I think:
"The value of life depends far less on its length than on what you do with it. On whether you value each precious day which it is your privilege to witness, or take it for granted. On your capacity to make the very most of whatever abilities you have to give joy to others, without fear or discouragement.
THAT is what makes the difference between a meaningful life and one which passes by in an unexamined blur".
Thank you for the joy your books and weekly emails bring us all xxx
Thanks David.......after listening to many teachings on karma - the fear of causing a really bad re-birth makes me a lot more careful of all my actions....and most of my speech...now if only I could control those nasty thoughts!
The photo of you David and Casper is worth a thousand words. I see two very happy beings in each other’s company. You are special to have an opportunity to share tea and cookies with beautiful Casper and a hug too.
Dear David, I find it slightly difficult as I am not a practicing Buddhist, though my way was informed by that ancient wisdom so beautifully laid down by those teachings, but found myself firmly “western” and contemporary. Therefore I find some of the concepts foreign to my thinking, for example the idea of all beings of our world, our little brothers and sisters of the air, the water, the earth, to be a possible next incarnation or a past incarnation. So the idea of my life as a chicken or a fruit fly, let alone as a life chosen…to be a difficult concept to grasp, so the idea that we don’t deliberately choose, but that we created specific causes, I find more understandable but what causes could I create that would put me in the finite life of a fruit fly or even a chicken, even one that is the beloved pet as some lucky chickens get to be, rather than one of the millions of battery chickens whose lives are daily snuffed out. Rather I think of the string threaded through the row of beads, that life continues, is infinite, ever present, and way beyond my understanding, because, of course, we can never truly understand the infinite with our finite minds, but only have it reveal itself with its grace and beauty as it does, when it does.
I love your discussions David, they are inspiring and stimulating and turn our minds to deeper things,
Many thanks for your honest and open message, Lorraine. The contemporary, Western view that we are essentially only beings of matter, that brain = mind, and that when we die, nothing endures, is certainly an assumption of many people. Yet the quantum science view that matter is also energy, and that energy cannot be destroyed, contradicts this assumption, offering a complementary and contemporary validation of the idea that subtle consciousness, propelled by conditioning/karma, continues.
Fruit fly or chicken? As far as I know there are no specific causes outlined that create these effects. Only that they represent a less helpful incarnation for development that our own human one, and to avoid them we retain a focus on virtue ... as I have no doubt that you do! All is well!
Agree with your take-away—regardless how we believe and regardless semantics—voluntary, involuntary, God-centric—what matters is our response to what arises.
There is room at the table for all of us and our ponderings.
Thank you for saying for benefit of all sentient beings and for acting on their behalf.
Thank you David, I always enjoy your perspectives and teachings. I can relate to your comment on our faults emblazoned on a T-shirt,which everyone can see but us. I've often said that I feel as if I've somehow missed the "memo" that everyone else has read. But, I also wonder why we laundry list our or others faults. If we could laundry list our & others positive attributes, life wouldn't seem so difficult and at the end of this life we could look forward to the next. Idealistic as this may seem, it helps me through this life.
Casper seems wonderful, I love animals, they bring out the best in me. Casper makes me smile.
I guess that until we recognise our own habitual patterns of negativity, we don't have much chance of applying opponent forces. But I agree, JoAnn, that all the happiest people I know, irrespective of their beliefs, have in common a propensity to see the good in others as well as a lightness about themselves.
Thanks for another delightful post to us all. It’s amazing how we learn to be awake and to help others and you definitely provide us with that information in your columns. I can’t believe th transformation of the parrot. He is living his best life. He’s a complete inspiration to me.
Dearest David, this has been a very key learning from you for me. This year there have evidently been a few karma ripening's that I have had to pay keen attention to and, more importantly, see it is the karma, and learn from and move forward in a different way. Thank you. For always enriching this life. With love Eebs xxx
Hi Pauline, You describe vividly the trauma of samsara and why we need to be wary of it, even if, right now, our reality is safe and comfortable. In my blog about how we die (https://davidmichie.substack.com/p/how-we-die-the-tibetan-buddhist-view) I explain how a particular karma ripening at a particular moment results in different rebirths. Essentially, we try to use the suffering we see in the world around us to double down on our efforts to let go of negativities and cultivate virtue, so that we can best help others.
Always delighted with your "mouse size musings." Today I reflected on how much my thinking and experience have caused me to change how I believe about the question at hand. It is necessary for me to challenge my beliefs in order to grow. The only ideas I'm reluctant to challenge or let go of are those in which I've cherished and lived by. I don't like to think I've invested in a false notion. As much as it may humble me to admit I was wrong, I must, if I want to move forward. But it's very productive pain.
Thank you so much for your insightful message, Penelope. One of the problems in our society, dealing with these important, inner matters, is the absence of debating grounds. In the East, including in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries today, those in training are expected to be able to state a concept and then defend it against a barrage of objections raised by their peers. What is being debated is not them but an idea. Roles may be reversed at the debate. The idea is: after studying a concept from all angles, may the best idea win!
In the West we tend to identify with our views/opinions to an extent that if they are challenged, we feel personally attacked. And, as you rightly say, our attachment makes us cling onto idea, even when it doesn't help or isn't valid.
On a more profound level, we aren't even taught how to decide what to believe, so we end up believing things because of our family/culture/ or because we like the sound of an idea rather than whether or not it's valid.
How to choose what to believe: food for a future post, I think - thank you so much!
I love your writings David and this one has given me much food for thought. I have been very aware lately of the negativity in my thoughts and mulling over early childhood misery, possibly triggered by my ill health at present.That's not to say I don't feel gratitude for so much in my life. My illness is a trigger for many of these thoughts. Love Casper and his joining you for tea and biscuits and lovely cuddle. So special. Twala is so special.
I am so sorry to hear about your illness, Nita. The fact that you recognise how it is triggering negative thoughts about the past is a precious awareness which enables you do do something about it. Next week I'm doing a post on Tong Len which I hope may help. You are so right about Caspar and Twala!
Thank you for this David🌺 I can see there are so many ways to think about life experiences and my own theme has always been ,(asking Beloved, )” what can WE learn from and awaken more from this…Whatever the issue, lesson or sometimes a predicament I find myself trying to escape from which usually repeats ,I should add, if I didn’t learn from it already…Karma probably, awareness for certain, other lifetimes perhaps , but it always comes back to me saying to myself , “ I just want to get back to God” and I’ve said this my whole life…and inch by inch I know I am…❤️
Good morning David!
This thoughtful post made me think of my absolute favourite mewsing from HHC, in her book 5 I think:
"The value of life depends far less on its length than on what you do with it. On whether you value each precious day which it is your privilege to witness, or take it for granted. On your capacity to make the very most of whatever abilities you have to give joy to others, without fear or discouragement.
THAT is what makes the difference between a meaningful life and one which passes by in an unexamined blur".
Thank you for the joy your books and weekly emails bring us all xxx
My heartfelt thanks for your beautiful message, Sue. And for the wonderful times we shared on Mindful Safari last month!
Thanks David. It’s actions that count. Casper is a real character and deserves tea and biscuits.
So true on both counts, Tom!
Thanks David.......after listening to many teachings on karma - the fear of causing a really bad re-birth makes me a lot more careful of all my actions....and most of my speech...now if only I could control those nasty thoughts!
Well, Kate, that's wonderful progress! We all need to work on those thoughts ..!
The photo of you David and Casper is worth a thousand words. I see two very happy beings in each other’s company. You are special to have an opportunity to share tea and cookies with beautiful Casper and a hug too.
I couldn't agree with you more, Aniko! I feel very fortunate indeed!
Dear David, I find it slightly difficult as I am not a practicing Buddhist, though my way was informed by that ancient wisdom so beautifully laid down by those teachings, but found myself firmly “western” and contemporary. Therefore I find some of the concepts foreign to my thinking, for example the idea of all beings of our world, our little brothers and sisters of the air, the water, the earth, to be a possible next incarnation or a past incarnation. So the idea of my life as a chicken or a fruit fly, let alone as a life chosen…to be a difficult concept to grasp, so the idea that we don’t deliberately choose, but that we created specific causes, I find more understandable but what causes could I create that would put me in the finite life of a fruit fly or even a chicken, even one that is the beloved pet as some lucky chickens get to be, rather than one of the millions of battery chickens whose lives are daily snuffed out. Rather I think of the string threaded through the row of beads, that life continues, is infinite, ever present, and way beyond my understanding, because, of course, we can never truly understand the infinite with our finite minds, but only have it reveal itself with its grace and beauty as it does, when it does.
I love your discussions David, they are inspiring and stimulating and turn our minds to deeper things,
Thank you, Lorraine xxx
Many thanks for your honest and open message, Lorraine. The contemporary, Western view that we are essentially only beings of matter, that brain = mind, and that when we die, nothing endures, is certainly an assumption of many people. Yet the quantum science view that matter is also energy, and that energy cannot be destroyed, contradicts this assumption, offering a complementary and contemporary validation of the idea that subtle consciousness, propelled by conditioning/karma, continues.
Fruit fly or chicken? As far as I know there are no specific causes outlined that create these effects. Only that they represent a less helpful incarnation for development that our own human one, and to avoid them we retain a focus on virtue ... as I have no doubt that you do! All is well!
Agree with your take-away—regardless how we believe and regardless semantics—voluntary, involuntary, God-centric—what matters is our response to what arises.
There is room at the table for all of us and our ponderings.
Thank you for saying for benefit of all sentient beings and for acting on their behalf.
The photo of you and Caspar 🕊️ says it all.
I love the 'room at the table' analogy L mc. Quite so!
Thank you David, I always enjoy your perspectives and teachings. I can relate to your comment on our faults emblazoned on a T-shirt,which everyone can see but us. I've often said that I feel as if I've somehow missed the "memo" that everyone else has read. But, I also wonder why we laundry list our or others faults. If we could laundry list our & others positive attributes, life wouldn't seem so difficult and at the end of this life we could look forward to the next. Idealistic as this may seem, it helps me through this life.
Casper seems wonderful, I love animals, they bring out the best in me. Casper makes me smile.
Sincerely, JoAnn Soltys
I guess that until we recognise our own habitual patterns of negativity, we don't have much chance of applying opponent forces. But I agree, JoAnn, that all the happiest people I know, irrespective of their beliefs, have in common a propensity to see the good in others as well as a lightness about themselves.
The photo of you cuddling Caspar brought incredible joy and delight into my heart …
Thank you for the teachings on choosing a particular life path and karma … 🙏🏽❤️
My pleasure, Margaret! Caspar is a giver of joy to many beings - he is especially fond of little kids, which is unusual, given how small he is.
Thanks for another delightful post to us all. It’s amazing how we learn to be awake and to help others and you definitely provide us with that information in your columns. I can’t believe th transformation of the parrot. He is living his best life. He’s a complete inspiration to me.
Thank you so much, Pamela for your constant support and encouragement!
Dearest David, this has been a very key learning from you for me. This year there have evidently been a few karma ripening's that I have had to pay keen attention to and, more importantly, see it is the karma, and learn from and move forward in a different way. Thank you. For always enriching this life. With love Eebs xxx
My heartfelt thanks for your beautiful message, Eebs!
Hello David, Thankyou for the interesting email on Karma.
I find it difficult to understand how can so many innocent creatures have such bad karma and suffer so hard in this world. For example:
Like the babies born into famine, and their mothers.
The animals being hurt and terrified as they go to slaughter.
The people traumatised by war.
Etc etc……….
Is this karma from previous lives?
Confused.
Pauline
Ps Smiling at Casper with his biscuit and tea
Hi Pauline, You describe vividly the trauma of samsara and why we need to be wary of it, even if, right now, our reality is safe and comfortable. In my blog about how we die (https://davidmichie.substack.com/p/how-we-die-the-tibetan-buddhist-view) I explain how a particular karma ripening at a particular moment results in different rebirths. Essentially, we try to use the suffering we see in the world around us to double down on our efforts to let go of negativities and cultivate virtue, so that we can best help others.
Is Casper an albino parrot or a cockatoo? Such a nice follow on to your time in Zim. Looking forward to your posts, as usual. You are always helpful.
He is a cockatoo, thanks Tiah, so you could say a fellow Australian in Africa! Thanks so much for your kind message!
Always delighted with your "mouse size musings." Today I reflected on how much my thinking and experience have caused me to change how I believe about the question at hand. It is necessary for me to challenge my beliefs in order to grow. The only ideas I'm reluctant to challenge or let go of are those in which I've cherished and lived by. I don't like to think I've invested in a false notion. As much as it may humble me to admit I was wrong, I must, if I want to move forward. But it's very productive pain.
Much appreciation,
Penelope
Thank you so much for your insightful message, Penelope. One of the problems in our society, dealing with these important, inner matters, is the absence of debating grounds. In the East, including in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries today, those in training are expected to be able to state a concept and then defend it against a barrage of objections raised by their peers. What is being debated is not them but an idea. Roles may be reversed at the debate. The idea is: after studying a concept from all angles, may the best idea win!
In the West we tend to identify with our views/opinions to an extent that if they are challenged, we feel personally attacked. And, as you rightly say, our attachment makes us cling onto idea, even when it doesn't help or isn't valid.
On a more profound level, we aren't even taught how to decide what to believe, so we end up believing things because of our family/culture/ or because we like the sound of an idea rather than whether or not it's valid.
How to choose what to believe: food for a future post, I think - thank you so much!
I love your writings David and this one has given me much food for thought. I have been very aware lately of the negativity in my thoughts and mulling over early childhood misery, possibly triggered by my ill health at present.That's not to say I don't feel gratitude for so much in my life. My illness is a trigger for many of these thoughts. Love Casper and his joining you for tea and biscuits and lovely cuddle. So special. Twala is so special.
I am so sorry to hear about your illness, Nita. The fact that you recognise how it is triggering negative thoughts about the past is a precious awareness which enables you do do something about it. Next week I'm doing a post on Tong Len which I hope may help. You are so right about Caspar and Twala!
Give that lovely bird a snuggle from me!
Thanks Judy, he is a cutie!
Thank you for this David🌺 I can see there are so many ways to think about life experiences and my own theme has always been ,(asking Beloved, )” what can WE learn from and awaken more from this…Whatever the issue, lesson or sometimes a predicament I find myself trying to escape from which usually repeats ,I should add, if I didn’t learn from it already…Karma probably, awareness for certain, other lifetimes perhaps , but it always comes back to me saying to myself , “ I just want to get back to God” and I’ve said this my whole life…and inch by inch I know I am…❤️
Coming home to divine reality is our life's true purpose, Adrienne, whatever terms we choose to dress it in. Thank you so much for your message.