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From: Harvey Hilbert
With palms together,
Good Morning Sangha,
As I look out the refuge windows, I see clouds settled in along the grass
obscuring all but the closest pine branches. There is a gentle rain and the air
is cool. This will be a day for reflection and meditation.
The Fifth Grave Precept, I vow not to cloud my mind, often refers to
substances such as alcohol or drugs. We are vowing to live our lives with
clear eyes and an open mind unhindered by chemicals. Yet chemicals such as those
in alcohol and drugs are not the only things that cloud and distort our minds.
Every day we receive millions of bits of information, information that
frightens us, alarms us, creates anger in our hearts, and even a desire to hurt
others. We cannot open a newspaper without the words "Terrorist" on the page. Or
rapist. Or child molester. Or drunk driver. Or some other story of man's
inhumanity and short temperedness. This is our environment.
When we swim in sewage we begin to smell.
With this vow, if we open it up, we can take a stand to open our hearts to
goodness. And close them to things that would blacken them. We
must recognize the power of media messages to mold our minds and hearts.
Poisoning us, these messages are the three poisons of greed, hatred, and
delusion. They fan the flames of these poisons till they burn us up and
leave us twisted and evil. This is no small thing. And it is very
difficult to combat.
The toxic processes are slow and subtle. The purveyers of the process are
smart and very slick. They wrap themselves in religion, patriotism,
or our desire to live "the good life.". They present themselves as
well-meaning and in our best interest. Yet, behind it all, is an appeal to one
or more of the three poisons.
Do we really need ratings driven news? Do we need a McDonalds on every
street corner? Do we need four or five televisions, a half dozen game boys, and
a cell phone implanted on every ear? What are the net interactive effects of
this life we are living, living as if these things do not really influence
us?
It is important to take a step away...sometimes several steps away...from
modernity and the deluge of media communications. Taking a 'backward
step' onto the cushion, or on a walk or a run, is very beneficial in assisting
us to seperate what is necessary to know and what simply poisons our hearts with
the best intentions.
Today, please take an inventory, a personal inventory, of your true needs.
What is in your life that helps you clear your mind and heart? What is in your
life that creates ill will, illness, or some other form of sickness, mental,
emotional, or physical? Are there steps that you can take within your own sphere
of personal influence to change these things?
Take this vow now to reduce the toxicity in your heart and mind and
body.
A deep bow,
Rev. Harvey Sodaiho Hilbert, Ph.D. On the web at: http://www.daihoji.org Opt out of military recruiter's getting your children's personal information: http://www.militaryfreezone.org/ (This email powered by clean, renewable, solar energy.) Current Book Discussion: Appreciate Your Life by Taizan Maezumi Roshi YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
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