Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha: An Unusually Hardcore Dharma Book - Revised and Expanded Edition

“Most Buddhists are just aging Boomers who want to do something to feel better about themselves as they get older and are not really interested in this sort of thing.”

Interconnectedness at this level means an appreciation of the fact that we are all in this together and that we all share the wish to be happy.

taking mind-altering substances that lead to heedlessness,

When we are working on training in morality, we consciously cultivate actions, words and thoughts that we deem to be kind and compassionate. By “kind,” I mean that we work to promote the happiness and welfare of ourselves and others. By “compassionate,” I mean that we work to relieve the suffering of ourselves and others. Thus, our agenda is for ou

Basically he was saying, “Get to know your actual reality really, really, really well, and try to do right by yourself and the world.” As we all know, this is not always as easy as it sounds, so that is why I include all of the additional commentary. Thus, these teachings are designed to help people get in touch with their reality in some way that

Pick a flexible vision of success in the ordinary sense for yourself and go for it! Play to win. This is your life, so make it a great one. There is no reason not to try, so long as you can do so in a kind and compassionate way.

If you get way into this stuff, you will discover this same loneliness.

Training in concentration is only easy to relate to if you have attained to unusual states of consciousness or at least have faith that they can be attained.