Neurodharma

From time to time, consider how a particular experience could be changing your brain bit by bit, for better or worse.

In the Theravadan tradition, there’s a lovely meditation that offers four kinds of warm wishes for five types of people,

For a day, or even just an hour, use only wise speech (that is, well intended, true, beneficial, not harsh, timely, and—if possible—welcome).

It’s really useful to be interested in how you make your own suffering.

“May my practice serve others” or “For the sake of all beings, may I be awake in this life.”

Very simply, compassion is wishing that beings not suffer, and kindness is wishing that they be happy.

Radically for his time, the Buddha said that it is not birth but intentional actions of thought, word, and deed that make a person truly noble.

Wise speech is well intended, true, beneficial, not harsh, timely, and, ideally, wanted. • Wise action avoids killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, and using intoxicants. • Wise livelihood avoids commerce in weapons, human trafficking, meat, intoxicants, and poisons.

always consider whether his actions were skillful and led to beneficial results. He told Rahula to reflect in this way before, during, and after all acts of thought, word, and deed. If an action was skillful and beneficial, fine; otherwise don’t do it.