Friday
Good Society Part II: Feeling the Goodness
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
The second part of a two-part series by Shastri Russell Rodgers. For part one, click here.
In Part I of this two-part essay, we looked at the genetics behind the universal human impulse to create good society. The logic was this: everywhere there are humans, we form society. Therefore, it must be in our genes. The first part of this essay was basically a book review of Blueprint: The Evolutionary Origins of a Good Society, by Nicholas Christakis, a Yale professor.
Dr. Christakis proposes that encoded in our genes is a “social suite” that is common to all societies that are able to survive the test of time and circumstance. This “suite” includes : good leadership (and respect for that leadership), cooperation, learning from each other, befriending others, and valuing each person’s individuality. The genes encode possibilities: we make conscious choices as to whether to take advantage of these possibilities.
Buddhist practices that focus on kindness help to bring it to conscious awareness. Often, kindness practices focus on the heart. Sometimes, in visualization practices, there is a radiating sun, moon or seed syllable placed there. Here, radiation is a metaphor for kindness, and the visualization gives the mind something to focus on. The “Sadhana of Kindness” which is being practiced in many Shambhala Centres, has this basic structure. The post-meditation experience of this sadhana inspired me to write this essay. Continue…
Entries filed under Dharma Teachings
Ancestors, Investigated – HIGHLIGHT
Charlemagne Equestrian statue 9th century, from www.shafe.co.ukWho might be considered the Western Ancestral Sovereigns of Shambhala? by Greg Lubkin, Los Angeles Some of my friends in Nova Scotia have been talking about the idea of Western Ancestral Sovereigns and wondering why there hasn’t been more written about that ... continuePosted September 19, 2012 by
Why I Meditate: “Because It Works!” – HIGHLIGHT
cushion,by Kevin Townley, from The Under 35 Project I remember reading somewhere that the first step in getting disentangled is experiencing entanglement. You have to be able to see what’s going on before you can have a workable relationship with it, and this is what I’ve found ... continuePosted August 13, 2012 by
The Path of “Hi” – HIGHLIGHT
guest article by Susan Piver Hi there! This morning, I went for a run at about 6:30am. The streets were mostly deserted but occasionally I would pass someone on the sidewalk. When I did, I said, “hi.” OK, I live in Boston. Boston is not a hi-saying town. ... continuePosted July 30, 2012 by
Gesar in Story and Song, part 2 – HIGHLIGHT
Audio recording offered by Khenpo Gawang Rinpoche to the Shambhala community When you tell the story of buddhas and bodhisattvas, there are many ways to tell them: outer, inner and secret biographies. In this case, we’re going to tell the outer biography of Gesar. He is the son of ... continuePosted June 1, 2012 by
Making the Most of Retreat… – HIGHLIGHT
…and Bringing It to Life by Irini Rockwell Director & Principal Coach/Trainer at Five Wisdoms Institute Taking a retreat, however long, is a precious opportunity to look deeper within ourselves by connecting with life transformative practices. So how do we bring the awareness and intelligence of the retreat back into ... continuePosted May 23, 2012 by
Eleanor: Unbiased at the Root – HIGHLIGHT
Shastri Column: This article is part of a series of articles by Shastris – senior Shambhala teachers – on themes that Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche has been emphasizing in his teachings on basic goodness. This article by Shastri Diana Evans explores the path of living into fearlessness ... continuePosted March 8, 2012 by
Shambhala Day Guided Meditation
This guided meditation by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche was offered to the Shambhala community on Shambhala Day, following the address given by the Sakyong Wangmo. Those of you who are sitting on cushions, and those of you who are on chairs, please take a good posture. Especially ... continuePosted February 27, 2012 by
Ordinary Bravery – HIGHLIGHT
Shastri Column: This new article is part of a series of articles by Shastris – senior Shambhala teachers – on themes that Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche has been emphasizing in his teachings since he ended his year-long retreat almost a year ago in March, 2011. This article ... continuePosted February 6, 2012 by
Gesar in Story and Song – HIGHLIGHT
Inspired by the profound teachings of Gesar of Ling, the mythical, historical, holder of sacred buddhist teachings, Khenpo Gawang Rinpoche has offered the Shambhala Times readers an audio gift of song and story. This broadcast tells the story of Gesar going to India and the hell ... continuePosted December 15, 2011 by
Empty of What? – HIGHLIGHT
This article, by Robert Alan Paul, presents an intellectual inquiry into the Buddhist teachings on emptiness. Using the following query, Robert expounds upon the inherent misunderstandings and the subsequent awakening to understanding that occur for each of us as we tread the path of meditation. He ... continuePosted November 30, 2011 by
Inspirational Teachings from the Dignity Weekend with the Sakyong – HIGHLIGHT
by Director of Shambhala Europe, Chris Montone From October 7th – 9th, 435 Shambhala leaders from 125 centers and groups who had attended one of the 10 Kalapa Governance Gatherings offered this year, gathered in Halifax, Nova Scotia to hear the Sakyong teach about governance and the ... continuePosted November 28, 2011 by
Karme Choling’s Garden Gate – HIGHLIGHT
Slogan of the week: Stop, Drop and Touch the Speechless Sky by Jan Enthoven, Master Gardener at Karme Choling Meditation Retreat Center Many people ponder how humanity can continue its proliferation on planet earth with its limited material resources and a rapidly widening ecological footprint. I am just ... continuePosted November 20, 2011 by
Stop. Give – HIGHLIGHT
This article presents healthy ways to keep your heart open when friends are too needy. This guest article is contributed by Susan Piver, New York Times bestselling author and Shambhala practitioner. In addition to helping you relax and discover your own wisdom, meditation is a way of ... continuePosted November 5, 2011 by
Four more languages have Shambhala YouTube Channels
Following up on the tremendous multilingual efforts for the Shambhala Lineage Festival, there is more good news on the multilingual Shambhala front. In the last two weeeks four more languages have Shambhala YouTube Channels launched. They are mostly still in a “beta” phase as we refine the ... continuePosted October 13, 2011 by Hamish_MacLaren
The Summer of Basic Goodness, part two – HIGHLIGHT
Shastri Column: Article by Shastri Betsy Pond. In part one of this article, Shastri Pond, from Schertz, Texas expounded upon the teachings of basic goodness. In part two, she invites us to join her in taking the plunge to feel basic goodness…read on to find ... continuePosted October 10, 2011 by
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