Tag: dailysuccesshabits
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Decent ordinary life
If you follow the national and international news, you may be forgiven for concluding that current political, economic, and military developments are the most important things in this turning world. Next to them, the ordinary activities of daily life may seem slight, undramatic, and banal. But two paintings, both of them focused on everyday life,…
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Will You Choose Enlightenment (Dharma Talk)
In this Dharma talk, I discuss Bodhi Day celebrations and the story of Buddha’s enlightenment. More specifically, I discuss the primary lesson we should take from his journey to liberation, and how it can influence our own practice. …
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Only Two Things Matter in Life (Dharma Talk)
I explore the age-old question, “How Should I Spend My Time?” and discuss the two most important items on everyone’s to-do list. …
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Learning to Walk Alone
I’ve been alone my entire life. I don’t mean that literally, of course. I have a large family, a girlfriend, and a job that requires me to speak with people on a near-constant basis. When I was younger, I served in the Marine Corps. where I routinely shared a squad bay with 60 other men. …
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Goodness is It’s Own Reward (Dharma Talk)
I discuss the “paradigm of meritocracy, and how it can set up wrong expectations when we go about our daily lives. I also discuss the Buddhist practice of Intoku; explaining how it can help motivate us toward Right Action when there is no clear benefit to ourselves or others. If you enjoyed this Dharma talk,…
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Sweeping Up Wood Chips
If one were to visit my home in the wintertime, they’d see wood chips all over the house. They end up on the floor, and on the chairs, and I’ve even found them in my bedroom. I use the wood chips in my chicken coop to provide nesting material and warmth to the birds. They’re…
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Create Pockets of Contentment (Dharma Talk)
I discuss Buddhist pure lands and the challenge of facing all of the world’s suffering. Using the pure land teaching I show how we can create small sanctuaries that save ourselves and others from harm. …
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Living with Sadness
Today, I woke up feeling sad. All of my basic needs are met. I have a pantry full of food and a warm, safe place to sleep at night. Put simply, my life is going well by most objective standards. I have (almost) nothing to complain about. So, why am I sad? I don’t…
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Karma and Family Heirlooms
In pre-industrial America, it was common for family heirlooms to be passed down from one generation to another. A woman might wear her mother’s wedding dress to get married or a father might give his prized car to his son as a graduation present. Other times, the heirloom might be less descript; a bookcase that…
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Do One Good Thing (Dharma Talk)
I discuss strategies for coping with suffering and the importance of focusing on positive actions that we can take in this present moment. If you enjoyed this Dharma talk, you’ll love my books!