In the past ten days most of us, watching the apocalyptic wildfires around Los Angeles, must have asked ourselves at same point: what if that happened to me?
I enjoyed the parable and would recommend sharing more. What i love most about your weekly newsletter is how you mix it up. One week is a parable, another is an exerpt from your new book, another is an article you've published, etc. You keep it fresh, all while guiding us on the path to enlightenment. I welcome whatever new format you'd like to introduce, because I know your intention is pure.
Thank you again David. Long before I engaged with Dharma - I did have my house burn down - and I lost everything in it - all my precious possessions. At first the shock was numbing, but after about six weeks I was overtaken by a completely unexpected "lightness of being". I felt suddenly free of the burden of all that "stuff", a palpable relief that I had no responsibility to "service and protect" possessions ...because I was rid of them. It permanently changed my view - most definitely for the better.
Fascinating, Kate - thank you so much for sharing. It is interesting that you and another person who have had this experience both came away somehow lightened and with less attachment to 'stuff.'
David - thank you. Very enjoyable and thought provoking as always! One pleasant aspect that I take away answers a growing question I have had since the early days of my (still early) Buddhist journey… How to bring all of the good and positive things I am learning to those close to me? And now I realise I am already doing it, using modern day goat carts! It is not necessary to persuade others directly on the Buddhist path but rather begin with an introduction to meditation, to breathing practice, simply to look at things from a different perspective. All of these I have shared and often with positive outcomes. Thank you for this valuable lesson.
I remember learning about this example of skilled means early in my studies and getting stuck on it being a lie, which to my way of thinking then, could not be skilled means.
It’s good to revisit it as an older student, and realise how much my subsequent studies and experiences have changed the way I understand the parable.
My pleasure, Mo! Part of the joy of this path is exactly such recognitions - that we can absorb something that didn't made sense/seemed crazy before into a more evolved perspective.
I tried to share this with some friends via email -- the link from this essay doe3sn't work for emails. Facebook, yes, but not email. Thanks so much for this most insightful message.
I am so glad you found this a useful post, JoySee. It should be shareable. If all else fails, perhaps copy the url for the post and paste it in an email. Warmest wishes, David
Always good to hear from you, John. I don't know about the cold burns, but there will obviously be questions, just as there were in NSW, about how the fires could get so completely out of control.
Hi Elaine, this is a tricky one I almost mentioned in the article, but I didn't want to get sidetracked into a subject that requires its own article. One person's destructive fire is another person's sigh of relief. I guess our task is to place our attention on what is of ultimate benefit, cultivating our own heart and wisdom, whatever is going on outside us.
What a great parable and it really brings to light what is happening at this time on Earth. It is time to look inside - it a year of the wood snake who sheds its skin and takes on a new life. It will not be easy for many people who are like children in this parable. This is a year of transformation for each one of us. Thanks be to Buddha to show us the path.
Right-oh. I am glad you were able to explain the parable as I don't think I would have worked it out on my own!
Alas, I feel I am a perfect candidate for samsara. I haven't noticed my house is on fire yet, but I think I can smell the smoke! Might try and put it out rather than run.
I am not sure what is wrong with being a dung beetle. Being a water and sewerage engineer, I have a bit of an affinity with them. Someone has to do it! Certainly feel like I am pushing excreta uphill most of the time. lol. At least they don't live that long, 2 to 3 years, so theoretically one gets to try one's hand a something else quite soon.
In the meantime, while I am waiting for my next go at the bardos, I shall try and be kind and calm my overactive mind.
PS a recording of your guided meditations is better for me. I am not good with timezone conversions and enjoy my sleep too much.
The article brought back some gloomy and scary memories. In the summer of 2019/2020 we came extremely close to loosing our house to the Black Summer Bushfires here in Australia. We lost everything around including sheds, car ports, fences and water tanks and the house was well and truly scorched. A water-bomber saved it.
We rebuilt the sheds, fences and garden and fixed the eves, pool heating, car ports etc etd.
What I learned, being mindful of buddist teachings, was that I had put a lot of meaning into owning the house and its contents. I was very attached to it - and it could go in a flash of heat.
But my husband and I were safe as were our two dogs. I let go of the attachment I had to the residence. It was a thing that could be rebuilt. It was not quite as difficult as I thought. Now I look at it with new eyes. In fact, it allowed me to look at all my/our possessions in a new way. It's the people and sentient creatures who matter. 'Things' can be replaced - beings can't.
So beautifully expressed and thank you for sharing, Cat. Kate (above) actually lost her home and expresses the same insight into what really matters that you do. Not that we'd want it, but I guess we could all do with such an awakening.
Hello David,
I enjoyed the parable and would recommend sharing more. What i love most about your weekly newsletter is how you mix it up. One week is a parable, another is an exerpt from your new book, another is an article you've published, etc. You keep it fresh, all while guiding us on the path to enlightenment. I welcome whatever new format you'd like to introduce, because I know your intention is pure.
Namaste,
Stacey
I really appreciate your generous feedback, thanks Stacey! Glad you'd like to read more parables and enjoy the overall mix!
Neither til he works well for west coast. Could they be recorded?
Thanks Kathi, a recording definitely seems the best way to proceed.
Thank you again David. Long before I engaged with Dharma - I did have my house burn down - and I lost everything in it - all my precious possessions. At first the shock was numbing, but after about six weeks I was overtaken by a completely unexpected "lightness of being". I felt suddenly free of the burden of all that "stuff", a palpable relief that I had no responsibility to "service and protect" possessions ...because I was rid of them. It permanently changed my view - most definitely for the better.
Fascinating, Kate - thank you so much for sharing. It is interesting that you and another person who have had this experience both came away somehow lightened and with less attachment to 'stuff.'
Would a recorded version be avail ? I live in Toronto
Yes Corrine, this is the most popular idea for guided meditations.
David - thank you. Very enjoyable and thought provoking as always! One pleasant aspect that I take away answers a growing question I have had since the early days of my (still early) Buddhist journey… How to bring all of the good and positive things I am learning to those close to me? And now I realise I am already doing it, using modern day goat carts! It is not necessary to persuade others directly on the Buddhist path but rather begin with an introduction to meditation, to breathing practice, simply to look at things from a different perspective. All of these I have shared and often with positive outcomes. Thank you for this valuable lesson.
You're quite right, Jayne! We can't change other's karma, but we can plant seeds. Sounds like that's what you're doing.
Thank you for sharing this insightful parable, David. It certainly made me sit up and think!
Re the guided meditation, 7 a.m. New York time works well for me here in France, but I also think a recording would be very useful. 🙏🏻🪷
Many thanks indeed, Jane. I am thinking a recording would be the best way forward.
I remember learning about this example of skilled means early in my studies and getting stuck on it being a lie, which to my way of thinking then, could not be skilled means.
It’s good to revisit it as an older student, and realise how much my subsequent studies and experiences have changed the way I understand the parable.
As ever David, thank you for your insights.
My pleasure, Mo! Part of the joy of this path is exactly such recognitions - that we can absorb something that didn't made sense/seemed crazy before into a more evolved perspective.
Neither as I live in Ireland. A recorded version would be good.
Understand, Elaine. Will offer recordings for any meditations I offer.
I tried to share this with some friends via email -- the link from this essay doe3sn't work for emails. Facebook, yes, but not email. Thanks so much for this most insightful message.
I am so glad you found this a useful post, JoySee. It should be shareable. If all else fails, perhaps copy the url for the post and paste it in an email. Warmest wishes, David
Once again mate Thoughtful words.
I just wonder how much cold burns do they do in the off season.
The analogy is on the money though.
Thanks for the effort for putting it together. 🤞👍🙏
Always good to hear from you, John. I don't know about the cold burns, but there will obviously be questions, just as there were in NSW, about how the fires could get so completely out of control.
maybe just ask our aboriginal elders they know a thing or two about off season burning..
How will we escape the fire about to burn our country down? Such perilous times.
Hi Elaine, this is a tricky one I almost mentioned in the article, but I didn't want to get sidetracked into a subject that requires its own article. One person's destructive fire is another person's sigh of relief. I guess our task is to place our attention on what is of ultimate benefit, cultivating our own heart and wisdom, whatever is going on outside us.
What a great parable and it really brings to light what is happening at this time on Earth. It is time to look inside - it a year of the wood snake who sheds its skin and takes on a new life. It will not be easy for many people who are like children in this parable. This is a year of transformation for each one of us. Thanks be to Buddha to show us the path.
Many thanks for your intriguing message, Fran. I am so glad that you found the parable helpful!
Right-oh. I am glad you were able to explain the parable as I don't think I would have worked it out on my own!
Alas, I feel I am a perfect candidate for samsara. I haven't noticed my house is on fire yet, but I think I can smell the smoke! Might try and put it out rather than run.
I am not sure what is wrong with being a dung beetle. Being a water and sewerage engineer, I have a bit of an affinity with them. Someone has to do it! Certainly feel like I am pushing excreta uphill most of the time. lol. At least they don't live that long, 2 to 3 years, so theoretically one gets to try one's hand a something else quite soon.
In the meantime, while I am waiting for my next go at the bardos, I shall try and be kind and calm my overactive mind.
PS a recording of your guided meditations is better for me. I am not good with timezone conversions and enjoy my sleep too much.
Your messages always make me chuckle. And, I imagine, other people too! Thanks for the steer on the recordings. This is the way I'll go.
The article brought back some gloomy and scary memories. In the summer of 2019/2020 we came extremely close to loosing our house to the Black Summer Bushfires here in Australia. We lost everything around including sheds, car ports, fences and water tanks and the house was well and truly scorched. A water-bomber saved it.
We rebuilt the sheds, fences and garden and fixed the eves, pool heating, car ports etc etd.
What I learned, being mindful of buddist teachings, was that I had put a lot of meaning into owning the house and its contents. I was very attached to it - and it could go in a flash of heat.
But my husband and I were safe as were our two dogs. I let go of the attachment I had to the residence. It was a thing that could be rebuilt. It was not quite as difficult as I thought. Now I look at it with new eyes. In fact, it allowed me to look at all my/our possessions in a new way. It's the people and sentient creatures who matter. 'Things' can be replaced - beings can't.
So beautifully expressed and thank you for sharing, Cat. Kate (above) actually lost her home and expresses the same insight into what really matters that you do. Not that we'd want it, but I guess we could all do with such an awakening.
I enjoyed the parable to and would welcome more, its lovely having a mix of things.
As for the meditations I am in Australia so recordings would be better for me too.
Quite understand, thanks Sarah. Will do the recordings.
Thankyou - as always, David.
If only we could find some way of making renewable energy into goat carriages or some other enticement - a carrot for dinosaurs 😔💚🪷
What a collection of images in there, Sarah! I love your imagination!
😂