Unfiltered tap water. It tastes good and water quality is generally good here in the UK.
Monks do the same with their robes. One to wear and one to wash.
Living with Mindfulness: Exploring the 14 Mindfulness Trainings
In our fast-paced, often hectic lives, finding moments of peace and compassion can feel like a rare luxury. However, the practice of mindfulness offers a path to cultivate these qualities in our daily existence. One powerful framework for mindful living is the set of guidelines known as the "14 Mindfulness Trainings." These trainings, originating in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Buddhism, provide a roadmap for a more compassionate and ethical way of life.
1. Openness
The first training encourages us to remain open-minded and not become overly attached to any doctrine or ideology. This reminds us to stay receptive to new perspectives and avoid fanaticism.
2. Non-attachment to Views
We're encouraged to let go of rigid attachment to our own views and be open to others' insights, fostering a sense of inclusiveness and understanding.
3. Freedom of Thought
This training emphasizes respecting others' right to their own beliefs and avoiding the imposition of our views on them.
4. Awareness of Suffering
Mindfulness involves acknowledging suffering, both in ourselves and others, and being present to understand it deeply. This helps us respond with compassion.
5. Simple, Healthy Living
The fifth training reminds us that true happiness is not found in wealth or sensual pleasures but in peace, freedom, and compassion. It encourages us to live more simply and mindfully.
6. Dealing with Anger
Anger can disrupt our lives and relationships. This training teaches us to handle anger with mindfulness and transform it into understanding and compassion.
7. Healthy Communication
Our words have the power to create happiness or suffering. Training seven guides us to speak truthfully and kindly, fostering positive and compassionate communication.
8. Deep Listening and Loving Speech
Listening deeply and using loving speech are skills that can resolve conflicts and restore communication. This training helps us bridge gaps in understanding.
9. Nourishment and Healing
Being mindful of what we consume, both physically and mentally, is crucial. This training promotes a healthier, more conscious approach to nourishing our body and mind.
10. Generosity
Generosity is not just about material giving but also giving of our understanding and compassion. It encourages us to contribute positively to our community.
11. Right Livelihood
We are urged to choose a livelihood that aligns with our values and contributes to the well-being of all. This training prompts us to be responsible consumers and citizens.
12. Reverence for Life
A commitment to nonviolence and compassion is at the core of this training. It encourages us to promote peace, both in our personal relationships and in the world.
13. Respect for Boundaries
This training emphasizes the importance of healthy, respectful relationships and sexual conduct, promoting understanding, love, and commitment.
14. Mindful Consumption
Finally, we're reminded of the impact of our consumption on our own well-being and the planet. This training encourages mindful choices that reduce suffering and environmental harm.
Conclusion
By embracing these 14 Mindfulness Trainings, we can embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation. They guide us toward a more compassionate, ethical, and mindful way of life that not only benefits us but also the world around us. Whether you follow a specific spiritual tradition or not, these trainings offer universal wisdom that can enrich your daily existence. Remember, mindfulness is not about perfection but progress, and these trainings can be a valuable roadmap on that journey.
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“It’s not about the dog biscuits…it’s about sending a message.” The Bark Knight
"What could I say to you that would be of value, except that perhaps you seek too much, that as a result of your seeking you cannot find.”
Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha
#quotes
I really enjoyed listening to this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPVMcBPlKeY
Allow your thoughts to flow like a river, and in that surrender, find the wisdom they carry. 
“We're not human beings having a spiritual experience. We're spiritual beings having a human experience.”
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
#quotes
“The most accurate metric for your love of someone is how you feel about their flaws.”
Mark Manson
#quotes
"Wabi-sabi" is a Japanese aesthetic concept that values the beauty of imperfection, transience, and the natural cycle of growth and decay. It embraces the idea that things are more beautiful and meaningful because of their flaws and the passage of time. It's often used to describe a sense of simplicity, authenticity, and a connection to nature.
The Beauty of Impermanence: Embracing Life's Transience
In a world fixated on possession and permanence, the essence of existence lies in recognising that nothing is truly ours, and everything is fleeting. This perspective, rooted in ancient wisdom, reshapes how we perceive our lives.
Letting Go of Ownership
Ownership is a fleeting notion. Liberating ourselves from possessiveness fosters gratitude and lightens the burden of materialism. We're temporary custodians of what we have.
The Dance of Impermanence
Change is life's only constant. Embracing this fact empowers us to navigate challenges with resilience, knowing that even hardships are transient.
Embracing the Present
By acknowledging life's impermanence, we learn to savor each moment. Mindfulness replaces yearning for the past or future, enriching our experiences.
Detachment Leads to Freedom
Detachment isn't indifference, but a release from clinging. Letting go allows us to flow harmoniously with life and its unpredictable currents.
Crafting a Lasting Legacy
Understanding life's impermanence fuels our desire to create lasting impact. By focusing on connections, kindness, and contributions, we transcend our temporal nature.
Conclusion
Grasping the profound concept that nothing is truly ours and everything changes bestows us with wisdom. Embracing the impermanence of life leads us to cherish the present, build meaningful connections, and leave behind a legacy that defies time's constraints.
“Like every other tax, inflation acts to determine the individual and business policies we are forced to follow. It discourages all prudence and thrift. It encourages squandering, gambling, and reckless waste of all kinds. It often makes it more profitable to speculate than to produce. It tears apart the whole fabric of stable economic relationships. Its inexcusable injustices drive men toward desperate remedies. It plants seeds of fascism and communism. It leads men to demand totalitarian controls. It ends invariably in bitter disillusion and collapse.”
Henry Hazlitt
"Memento mori" is a Latin phrase that translates to "remember that you will die." It's a reminder of the inevitability of death and is often used to encourage people to reflect on the impermanence of life and the importance of living in the present.
"The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way."
Marcus Aurelius
This quote by Marcus Aurelius reflects the idea that obstacles and challenges are not necessarily negative, but rather opportunities for growth and progress. He suggests that facing and overcoming obstacles can actually propel us forward, transforming the very things that obstruct us into the path we should take. In essence, the difficulties we encounter can serve as a means to achieve our goals and develop resilience.
#quotes
"Because of a bias in our brains, we humans tend to overemphasize negative news. Both the media outlets and the politicians know this. They know that good news doesn’t sell very well. They know that you need a cause to rally around to get the votes."
Knut Svanholm
