I so love the way you explain things. Principles that seem hard to grasp are much simpler and more achievable with your explanations. This principle you describe is a long-term work in progress for me, but today it got a whole lot clearer. I tend to forget as my day goes on how it is ALL projection, and that experiencing appreciative joy for whatever I am enjoying is the key - not trying to have more of it, less of it, or find that same experience again. Just yesterday I had the experience you speak of listening to Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. Very timely. Thank you David!
Hello David, I'm glad I discovered your newsletter, I feel I get a lot out of them, so thank you! I just wanted you to know you have inspired me to find out if my company matches donations to Twala animal sanctuary. What I found was an organization called Animal-Kind International that lists Twala as one of the organizations among others that it helps. Since my company matches those donations, I set up a recurring through my company. May all beings be blessed with happiness, and all of it's causes! May all beings be free from suffering, and all it's causes!
So so appropriate tonight, David! We are just home from the most sublime (to my mind!) concert by Ludovico Einaudi, here for the Perth Festival. We have both loved his compositions for many years so tonight was the opportunity of a lifetime. How perfect to come home and read your post and reflect on the good fortune we have had to experience such happiness! And the reminder to celebrate and dedicate this happiness, guaranteeing more moments of joy in our futures! Much gratitude, Maria and Renae
So glad to hear this, thank you Maria! Koala and I were at a rather different Fringe Festival offering, but entertaining in its own way. How fortunate we are to have ongoing access to these transformative teachings?! Keep cool.
Appreciated this perspective on and practice for being aware of what we choose to embrace and reject. It reminded me of this segment from my book (Choose Your Energy: Change Your Life), "Becoming conscious and claiming your personal power to neutralize the judge will yield immeasurable benefits. You will literally be able to redefine your world, because there is no absolute reality, only the story you tell yourself about what is happening and what it means. Every being, encounter, and experience that comes my way is filtered through a conglomeration of lenses that results in my unique perceptions. These lenses cause me to see my world in a certain way. They are influenced by my unique and complex mix of myriad factors: the family, cultural, and societal norms I was taught; my physical and mental abilities; my personality and natural talents; my birth order; the patterns I deduced from all my past experiences; and the assumptions I’ve presumed concerning what’s likely and possible in the future. I create my reality in each moment by choosing what I will think, believe, feel, and do based on what my lenses allow. I can choose to look through the lens of fear and remain weighed down and self-imprisoned, or I can choose the lens of love and embrace a life of freedom and flow. No outside event or situation, no other person can dictate my attitude." Thank you, David, for all you do to help us reclaim our power to choose constructively.
Uplifting and joyful listening to happiness. Cuteness overload , Wilhelmina, brings me the inner quivers. Thank you for these weekly offerings. I look forward to them every Saturday morning.
As a retired professional musician (performing pipe organist and choral director), your message resonated deeply with me. I share the following: from a very early age I started telling everyone that I was going to go to college and learn to play the pipe organ. I must have been 8 or 9 when I started saying this. I had started piano lessons at age 4, then switched to organ lessons around age 10. Fast forward - I did study pipe organ as an organ major in college, then was awarded a Fulbright scholarship for organ study in Germany upon graduation. Off I went to Hamburg for an entire year! I got to practice on the organs Bach had performed on. It all felt so natural to me, and I loved speaking in German! For years after that experience I told people that I felt as though I had come home, living there that year. One day, while walking down the streets in Hamburg, I came across one named Armbrust Strasse. Armbrust is not a really a very common name in German. It happens to be my maiden name! Fast forward again- years later while receiving counseling from a therapist for help with a family challenge, I told him this story, and he responded “You’ve been there before.” That, David, was the beginning for me of contemplating the possibility of a past life, which then lead me to the study of the concept of karma, which then propelled me to the study of Buddhism, which led me to you! All because of my mind’s perception of organ music, and who knows, whatever past life I may had lived!
This is most intriguing, Susan. I often feel that strong musical competence must be past-life related. It sounds to me like some important indicators of a past life have been revealed, thereby boosting confidence in the benefits of Dharma practice in this one!
This is a fantastic practice! I actually consciously did it while reading your piece as I love reading inspirational material. I then used the practice while meditating and it was so expansive. Each step elevates the heart even more. Thank you!
Are sunsets, sunshine, nature, pets, wildlife etc. Worldly pleasures? What about pleasure from friends and family? Aren't all pleasures and displeasure of the mind?
All pleasures and displeasures are indeed of the mind, Chris. Where pleasures of nature versus the more confected kind begin and end is an interesting question ...
I just finished reading The Dalai Lama's Cat Awaken the Kitten Within Paperback! Wonderful book! They're all so good, and this one was outstanding! I always learn so much about appreciation of life. Thank you for writing them all - hope you continue!
Thank you David🙏 My mind seems always full of cuteness….and 90% of the time I’m happy which I realized early on in this life even when things seem upsetting around me, I always fall back on my inner happiness…when people say things like “ that really blew my mind” I secretly say,” I surely hope so”… wishing everyone Love and Laughter on Valentines Day, ❤️hopeless romantic ,all in my mind, I remain…🥰happily so…
Thank you, David. I am a musician who plays harp and guitar. I like traditional Irish and Appalacian music, Bach, and Motown. I am a Lutheran who looks towards the turning of the seasons as the placement of the Christian ceremonies. I believe Buddha and Jesus are opposite sides of the same coin., or perhaps reincarnations of the same person, mindfulness and meditation not too different from focus and prayer. Thank you for your offerings!
Many thanks for your intriguing message, Judy. I feel sure that the more we are able to discern the parallel themes that flow through different spiritual traditions, genres of music and so on, the more profoundly rich our inner lives.
One of my favourite and contemplative pieces of music is “Parce nihi domine” by Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard ensemble. The opening saxophone is haunting
I so love the way you explain things. Principles that seem hard to grasp are much simpler and more achievable with your explanations. This principle you describe is a long-term work in progress for me, but today it got a whole lot clearer. I tend to forget as my day goes on how it is ALL projection, and that experiencing appreciative joy for whatever I am enjoying is the key - not trying to have more of it, less of it, or find that same experience again. Just yesterday I had the experience you speak of listening to Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. Very timely. Thank you David!
Many thanks indeed, Victoria. This is a long-term work in progress for us all.
Hello David, I'm glad I discovered your newsletter, I feel I get a lot out of them, so thank you! I just wanted you to know you have inspired me to find out if my company matches donations to Twala animal sanctuary. What I found was an organization called Animal-Kind International that lists Twala as one of the organizations among others that it helps. Since my company matches those donations, I set up a recurring through my company. May all beings be blessed with happiness, and all of it's causes! May all beings be free from suffering, and all it's causes!
How wonderful! Thank you so much for your generosity, Lindsay!
So so appropriate tonight, David! We are just home from the most sublime (to my mind!) concert by Ludovico Einaudi, here for the Perth Festival. We have both loved his compositions for many years so tonight was the opportunity of a lifetime. How perfect to come home and read your post and reflect on the good fortune we have had to experience such happiness! And the reminder to celebrate and dedicate this happiness, guaranteeing more moments of joy in our futures! Much gratitude, Maria and Renae
So glad to hear this, thank you Maria! Koala and I were at a rather different Fringe Festival offering, but entertaining in its own way. How fortunate we are to have ongoing access to these transformative teachings?! Keep cool.
That cuteness IS in my mind and it makes me so happy!
I am thrilled to hear it, thank you Cindi! May all beings have cuteness and its causes!
😊
Appreciated this perspective on and practice for being aware of what we choose to embrace and reject. It reminded me of this segment from my book (Choose Your Energy: Change Your Life), "Becoming conscious and claiming your personal power to neutralize the judge will yield immeasurable benefits. You will literally be able to redefine your world, because there is no absolute reality, only the story you tell yourself about what is happening and what it means. Every being, encounter, and experience that comes my way is filtered through a conglomeration of lenses that results in my unique perceptions. These lenses cause me to see my world in a certain way. They are influenced by my unique and complex mix of myriad factors: the family, cultural, and societal norms I was taught; my physical and mental abilities; my personality and natural talents; my birth order; the patterns I deduced from all my past experiences; and the assumptions I’ve presumed concerning what’s likely and possible in the future. I create my reality in each moment by choosing what I will think, believe, feel, and do based on what my lenses allow. I can choose to look through the lens of fear and remain weighed down and self-imprisoned, or I can choose the lens of love and embrace a life of freedom and flow. No outside event or situation, no other person can dictate my attitude." Thank you, David, for all you do to help us reclaim our power to choose constructively.
So true, Deborah. And reminds me of the work of Viktor Frankl which I'm sure resonates with you too!
Uplifting and joyful listening to happiness. Cuteness overload , Wilhelmina, brings me the inner quivers. Thank you for these weekly offerings. I look forward to them every Saturday morning.
So glad, thank you Pam!
As a retired professional musician (performing pipe organist and choral director), your message resonated deeply with me. I share the following: from a very early age I started telling everyone that I was going to go to college and learn to play the pipe organ. I must have been 8 or 9 when I started saying this. I had started piano lessons at age 4, then switched to organ lessons around age 10. Fast forward - I did study pipe organ as an organ major in college, then was awarded a Fulbright scholarship for organ study in Germany upon graduation. Off I went to Hamburg for an entire year! I got to practice on the organs Bach had performed on. It all felt so natural to me, and I loved speaking in German! For years after that experience I told people that I felt as though I had come home, living there that year. One day, while walking down the streets in Hamburg, I came across one named Armbrust Strasse. Armbrust is not a really a very common name in German. It happens to be my maiden name! Fast forward again- years later while receiving counseling from a therapist for help with a family challenge, I told him this story, and he responded “You’ve been there before.” That, David, was the beginning for me of contemplating the possibility of a past life, which then lead me to the study of the concept of karma, which then propelled me to the study of Buddhism, which led me to you! All because of my mind’s perception of organ music, and who knows, whatever past life I may had lived!
This is most intriguing, Susan. I often feel that strong musical competence must be past-life related. It sounds to me like some important indicators of a past life have been revealed, thereby boosting confidence in the benefits of Dharma practice in this one!
This is a fantastic practice! I actually consciously did it while reading your piece as I love reading inspirational material. I then used the practice while meditating and it was so expansive. Each step elevates the heart even more. Thank you!
I am so very glad to hear this, Meghan D! Keep on doing it!!
How wonderful are your words that allow me great understanding. Thank you David.
I am really pleased to know the Dharma is resonating with you, Amanda!
Are sunsets, sunshine, nature, pets, wildlife etc. Worldly pleasures? What about pleasure from friends and family? Aren't all pleasures and displeasure of the mind?
All pleasures and displeasures are indeed of the mind, Chris. Where pleasures of nature versus the more confected kind begin and end is an interesting question ...
I just finished reading The Dalai Lama's Cat Awaken the Kitten Within Paperback! Wonderful book! They're all so good, and this one was outstanding! I always learn so much about appreciation of life. Thank you for writing them all - hope you continue!
My heartfelt thanks for your generous message, Fain!
Thank you David🙏 My mind seems always full of cuteness….and 90% of the time I’m happy which I realized early on in this life even when things seem upsetting around me, I always fall back on my inner happiness…when people say things like “ that really blew my mind” I secretly say,” I surely hope so”… wishing everyone Love and Laughter on Valentines Day, ❤️hopeless romantic ,all in my mind, I remain…🥰happily so…
I am so glad to hear you are so close to your inner reservoir of wellbeing, Adrienne! Enlightenment beckons!
Thank you, David. I am a musician who plays harp and guitar. I like traditional Irish and Appalacian music, Bach, and Motown. I am a Lutheran who looks towards the turning of the seasons as the placement of the Christian ceremonies. I believe Buddha and Jesus are opposite sides of the same coin., or perhaps reincarnations of the same person, mindfulness and meditation not too different from focus and prayer. Thank you for your offerings!
Many thanks for your intriguing message, Judy. I feel sure that the more we are able to discern the parallel themes that flow through different spiritual traditions, genres of music and so on, the more profoundly rich our inner lives.
Thank you David! As always, I feel like you are speaking directly to me. Your timing couldn't have been any better. Namaste.
So glad to hear this, thank you Stacey!
Beautiful gift. Thank you!
My pleasure, Jeanne!
One of my favourite and contemplative pieces of music is “Parce nihi domine” by Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard ensemble. The opening saxophone is haunting
I will be checking it out, thanks Sue!