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
Understanding Dön Season – HIGHLIGHT
When the world is filled with evil, pacify the Döns and Mamos by Russell Rodgers In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, there is a period before the Tibetan New Year in the late winter/early spring when accumulated karma comes to fruition and societal obstacles arise. This year, between February ... continuePosted February 1, 2017 by CGH
Ekajati and the Ati Teachings – HIGHLIGHT
Exploring depth and meaning in the Ekajati protector chant by Russell Rodgers Ekajati: Queen of the Mamos, thangka painting by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche This chant has an extraordinary level of teaching in it about the nature of mind and the nature of reality. To the extent that one truly ... continuePosted January 2, 2017 by CGH
Por qué, cuándo y cómo se ofrece generosidad
por Walker Blaine, Maestro de liturgia de Sákyong Mipham Rimpoché y Heraldo de la corte Kalapa Si la gente entendiera los beneficios personales de la generosidad, no sería capaz de contener la alegría de ver ocasiones para dar. Los santos y los sabios de todas las ... continuePosted January 2, 2017 by luz_rodriguez
Is Vetali Real? – HIGHLIGHT
Our series of essays on the Shambhala chants continues, with a look at the “reality” of another protector by Russell Rodgers “Is Vetali real” seems like a simple enough question, deserving a “yes” or “no” answer. In fact, this question has many levels. In one of the previous ... continuePosted December 31, 2016 by CGH
Entender la “Proclamación de la bondad”
Foto de Susanne Long Keniley, Centro Shambhala de Albuquerque Esta simple súplica de cuatro líneas compuesta por Sákyong Mipham Rimpoché tiene muchísimo contenido. Uno de sus significados está al nivel de los pensamientos y asociaciones ordinarias. Luego hay otro nivel que las palabras no pueden expresar directamente ... continuePosted November 6, 2016 by luz_rodriguez
Meet the Four Armed Mahakala – HIGHLIGHT
What is a mahakala? Do they exist in reality? by Russell Rodgers These are questions provoked by doing the chants. In this essay, I’ll explore those questions a little more, and in addition talk about the Four Armed Mahakala in particular. In the previous essay, “The Protector Ritual,” we ... continuePosted October 27, 2016 by CGH
Aspiración de Shambhala
por Russell Rodgers En medio de nuestra corriente de pensamientos habituales, tendemos a olvidar lo que nos es más importante. Los cantos de aspiración son recordatorios. Si aspiramos conscientemente a algo, es más probable que ocurra. Si no aspiramos, la probabilidad es puramente aleatoria. Aun peor, el ... continuePosted October 24, 2016 by luz_rodriguez
Súplica al linaje Shambhala
por Russell Rodgers En este canto Sákyong Mipham Rimpoché reconoce las fuentes del Linaje de Shambhala. Había cuatro linajes principales en el Tíbet: los gelugpa (el linaje del Dalai Lama), los sakya, los kagyü y los ñingma. Considerando nuestro “Linaje Shambhala”, en el momento en que se ... continuePosted October 24, 2016 by luz_rodriguez
Canto de los protectores de Shambhala
por Russell Rodgers Un flujo constante de coincidencia conforma nuestras vidas. Nos levantamos por la mañana. Está lloviendo y eso siempre nos deprime un poquito. Hay un colapso de tráfico en el camino al trabajo. En el trabajo pierdes a un cliente importante. Luego sale el sol, ... continuePosted October 24, 2016 by luz_rodriguez
The Heart Sutra – HIGHLIGHT
An explication of The Sutra of the Heart of Transcendent Knowledge by Russell Rodgers The “Heart Sutra” is chanted by Mahayana practitioners all over the world. You could do it at home to start your meditation. Its full title is “The Sutra of the Heart of Transcendent Knowledge.” ... continuePosted October 23, 2016 by CGH
Súplica de Longevidad
por Russell Rodgers Al igual que los otros cantos de longevidad, este evoca por completo el poder de la devoción. Para los gurús auténticos, la devoción de los estudiantes es lo que les prolonga la vida. Puesto que son boddhisattvas, existen para servir y, ya que no ... continuePosted October 23, 2016 by CGH
La Dedicación de Mérito de Shambhala
por Russell Rodgers Que por la confianza del áureo Sol del Gran Este, florezca el jardín de lotos de la sabiduría del Rigden. Que se disipe la oscura ignorancia de los seres sensibles. Gocen de profunda y brillante gloria todos los seres. En general, dedicar el mérito nos hace prestar atención ... continuePosted October 22, 2016 by CGH
Supplication to the Takpo Kagyu – HIGHLIGHT
We continue exploring the Shambhala chants with a look at the Kagyu lineage supplication by Russell Rodgers Kagyu Monlam, The Kagyu lineage is one of the three main Tibetan lineages that form the basis of Shambhala Buddhism. Each of these lineages contributed a unique approach to enlightenment. The particular ... continuePosted October 21, 2016 by CGH
Seven-Line Supplication to Padmakara – HIGHLIGHT
Our series on the Shambhala chants continues, with the traditional supplication to Padmasambhava by Russell Rodgers HUM In the northwest of the land of Uddiyana, On a blooming lotus flower, You have attained supreme, wondrous siddhi. You are renowned as Padmakara, Surrounded by your retinue of many dakinis. ... continuePosted October 19, 2016 by CGH
Moissons de la Paix
Allocution du Kongma Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche 25 septembre 2016 Kongma Sakyong Moissons de la Paix 2016 Bonjour à tous. Je vous souhaite un Joyeux Jour des Moissons de la Paix et une belle saison des moissons. C’est un moment important pour nous tous lorsque nous réunissons alors que les ... continuePosted October 17, 2016 by CGH
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