
Paramita of the Month: Exertion
What comes to mind when you think of “Diligence?” For many of us our first thought is probably not “Oh, how wonderful!” More likely we

What comes to mind when you think of “Diligence?” For many of us our first thought is probably not “Oh, how wonderful!” More likely we
We all worry about our future and how things are going to turn out. But if we focus too much on outcomes, we’ll miss out on the life we’re actually living. There are no set-in-stone permanent outcomes, but instead, a continuous unfolding of our lives. Seeing uncertainty as growth and discovery takes a leap, but this view can help ease anxiety and build acceptance of what is happening now.

What comes to mind when you think of “Diligence?” For many of us our first thought is probably not “Oh, how wonderful!” More likely we

Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche teaches on what to do in a crisis. As Buddhist practitioners, how can we help in situations of mass shootings and other tragedies?

Are we in touch with our rebel spirit, always questioning and testing? Can we take our “no fear” approach too far? Or by rigidly holding to the “right” rules and rituals, are we actually losing spiritual ground and just shoring up the ego? — by Mitra Karl Brunnhölzl

It seems that Western Buddhists today are pretty much aware that we need to get rid of the Asian backpack we are carrying around—with its heavy load of cultural forms and all the stuff we use to dress up the dharma. If we want to discover “what works” for us today, we have to look into this backpack, and see what’s essential and what’s for show. — by Mitra Karl Brunnhölzl
