a little known "fact".....the stripes on zebra...and other animals, especially on their legs confuses biting flies (such as tsetse) so they cannot "see" the animal. Biting fly in Australia cause misery to all mammals...especially my son's dog. I made him a coat from zebra striped fabric and "hey presto" he became "invisible" to these horrid pests.... Not dharma ........just interesting!
Always to see you in person. Thanks once again Samsara exists and is alive and well. Meditating is really the only method to understand what is making miserable. The beauty being that you can let it go. However, this journey is not so easy. It’s almost as if the things you think about just want to keep coming back.
Thank you David…this is such a helpful reminder as I manage my thoughts everyday and become often aware of how I suffer needlessly often on behalf of (or because of )what I imagine others are suffering from (my own perception ).To renunciate ,for me, is indeed ongoing! 🌸
Yes, Adrienne, we are all renunciates having to practice letting go on an ongoing basis. As you rightly say, we need to avoid projecting our own feelings onto others, whose response to their circumstances may be quite different from our own.
Brought up Catholic, renunciation, at least the way it was described in school and Sunday Mass, conjured up austerity on the dread level.
Having read all the Dalai Lama’s Cat insights, i had a heads up on the lens through which you would explore this topic. However im still shaking my head that i felt giddy —yes— giddy realizing the gift your clarity and a Buddhist view of, let me say it, Renunciation, has been today.
Hello. Thank you for writing on this topic. I recently wrote on this too and made a podcast on it. Quite a few people have reacted positively. I am sending you the links simply because we are obviously both writing in this same field so it’s good to know what others are doing and saying!
Thank you so much, Dominique! I love the Zen story you share about the bitterness of the salt depending on the context within which we taste it - narrow and personal, or wide and universal.
One of my teachers described the difference between pain and suffering this way: Pain is inevitable, suffering is not. Suffering is the stories we tell ourselves about the pain. As someone who deals with a chronic illness, that made a lot of sense to me. If I am in a flare, then I sometimes catch myself bemoaning the fact that I am having a flare. Telling myself how hard it is to deal with. But when I can remember my teacher's advice to stop telling myself stories, I find that not only is it easier to deal with the flare, but the flare is often shorter in duration. This also affects all aspects of my life. When I just remember to see what is in front of me and don't tell stories about it, I find that most of the time things aren't as bad as I try to convince myself they are.
Thank you, David. Once again you've been reading my mail. In my meditations I am seeing how my thoughts are not just about planning or choices I'm considering. They're about fear of not being in full control. I cogitate to avoid failure, mistakes. When I let go of the thoughts the immediate result is peace! The thing I was chasing all along. Who knew!? Buddha did. How wonderful the lessons given. Thank you for rephrasing and reminding me. I love your teaching. ❤️🙏😎
I am so glad to hear this Penelope! Most of the stuff that goes through our minds can be happily let go of, and the result is greater clarity, better decisions, and more peace!! I appreciate your kind words!
I’m going through a lot of medical things right now. My friends can’t understand why I’m not worried. But instead of asking “why me?”, I think “why not me? What can I learn from this and how will it impact my journey in this lifetime?” Luckily, I’m not seriously ill, just in chronic pain. But as much as living in the present moment is important, so is seeing the big picture.
a little known "fact".....the stripes on zebra...and other animals, especially on their legs confuses biting flies (such as tsetse) so they cannot "see" the animal. Biting fly in Australia cause misery to all mammals...especially my son's dog. I made him a coat from zebra striped fabric and "hey presto" he became "invisible" to these horrid pests.... Not dharma ........just interesting!
I need one for my cat that gets bothered by mosquitoes. My I’ll make a tiger strip and see if that works?😃
Please provide feedback when you do, Amanda. Perhaps a video of you persuading your cat to put on the strip too?!
What a handy hint! Thank you for sharing, Kate!
Thankyou David.🙏
I love how you explain things so well.
Each time I listen to you I always learn a little more. 🙏🙏🙏
My heartfelt thanks, Amanda!
Extraordinary timing for this reader. No words could have set me more on track. Clear and easily grasped – once again. Bowing in gratitude.🙏
My heartfelt thanks Penny!
Always to see you in person. Thanks once again Samsara exists and is alive and well. Meditating is really the only method to understand what is making miserable. The beauty being that you can let it go. However, this journey is not so easy. It’s almost as if the things you think about just want to keep coming back.
Beautiful picture of the giraffes.
Many thanks Peter. Letting go is certainly the toughest part of being a thought manager, but ultimately the most rewarding.
Thank you David…this is such a helpful reminder as I manage my thoughts everyday and become often aware of how I suffer needlessly often on behalf of (or because of )what I imagine others are suffering from (my own perception ).To renunciate ,for me, is indeed ongoing! 🌸
Yes, Adrienne, we are all renunciates having to practice letting go on an ongoing basis. As you rightly say, we need to avoid projecting our own feelings onto others, whose response to their circumstances may be quite different from our own.
Thank you for the timely reminder. And for the updated report from Zim with pictures!
My pleasure, Tiah! I am currently enjoying Zim right now!
Thank you David! I enjoy all your communications, and it's especially nice to receive a video.
Glad you feel this way, Stacey. Perhaps I can do more of them. Warmest wishes.
I am always amazed by the fact of the animals you shared with us. Thank you!
I never grow tired of them. Such wonder around us here in Africa!
Zebras - it’s not as black and white as it looks.
LOL!
Brought up Catholic, renunciation, at least the way it was described in school and Sunday Mass, conjured up austerity on the dread level.
Having read all the Dalai Lama’s Cat insights, i had a heads up on the lens through which you would explore this topic. However im still shaking my head that i felt giddy —yes— giddy realizing the gift your clarity and a Buddhist view of, let me say it, Renunciation, has been today.
🦒🦒 love 💕 the photos and animal updates.
☮️ to you David— you grace so many with yours 🪷
Thank you so much L mc! I agree, renouncing suffering puts us on the path to joy!
Thank you, David! I learn more and more from you. And I love the animal pictures as well.
So glad you feel that connection, thank you Linda!
This is the link to my article on renunciation
https://dominiqueside.substack.com/p/a-genuine-heart-of-sadness
Hello. Thank you for writing on this topic. I recently wrote on this too and made a podcast on it. Quite a few people have reacted positively. I am sending you the links simply because we are obviously both writing in this same field so it’s good to know what others are doing and saying!
https://dominiqueside.substack.com/p/how-sad-is-your-love
Thank you so much, Dominique! I love the Zen story you share about the bitterness of the salt depending on the context within which we taste it - narrow and personal, or wide and universal.
One of my teachers described the difference between pain and suffering this way: Pain is inevitable, suffering is not. Suffering is the stories we tell ourselves about the pain. As someone who deals with a chronic illness, that made a lot of sense to me. If I am in a flare, then I sometimes catch myself bemoaning the fact that I am having a flare. Telling myself how hard it is to deal with. But when I can remember my teacher's advice to stop telling myself stories, I find that not only is it easier to deal with the flare, but the flare is often shorter in duration. This also affects all aspects of my life. When I just remember to see what is in front of me and don't tell stories about it, I find that most of the time things aren't as bad as I try to convince myself they are.
This is so very true, thank you Cindy. I think you speak for us all.
Thank you, David. Once again you've been reading my mail. In my meditations I am seeing how my thoughts are not just about planning or choices I'm considering. They're about fear of not being in full control. I cogitate to avoid failure, mistakes. When I let go of the thoughts the immediate result is peace! The thing I was chasing all along. Who knew!? Buddha did. How wonderful the lessons given. Thank you for rephrasing and reminding me. I love your teaching. ❤️🙏😎
I am so glad to hear this Penelope! Most of the stuff that goes through our minds can be happily let go of, and the result is greater clarity, better decisions, and more peace!! I appreciate your kind words!
I’m going through a lot of medical things right now. My friends can’t understand why I’m not worried. But instead of asking “why me?”, I think “why not me? What can I learn from this and how will it impact my journey in this lifetime?” Luckily, I’m not seriously ill, just in chronic pain. But as much as living in the present moment is important, so is seeing the big picture.
I agree, Ninah. Seeing the present moment through a more panoramic lens can also be very liberating. Thank you for sharing.