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November 05 Geeft liever de inhoud als aalmoes; en zie, dan is alles u reinZalige Teresa van Caldutta (1910-1997), stichteres van de missiezusters van Liefde "Geeft liever de inhoud als aalmoes; en zie, dan is alles u rein" Men moet niet tevreden zijn met geld geven ; geld is niet genoeg, want dat kan men vinden. De armen hebben het nodig dat we hen met onze handen helpen, ze hebben onze harten nodig, om geliefd te worden. De religie van Christus is de liefde, de aanstekelijkheid van de liefde. Zij die zich een gemakkelijk leven kunnen veroorloven hebben ongetwijfeld hun redenen. Ze kunnen het met hun werk verdiend hebben; ik ben slechts kwaad over de verspilling, op hen die bij het vuilnis zetten wat voor ons nog nuttig had kunnen zijn. De moeilijkheid, is dat veel rijken, of zelfs mensen die het goed hebben, niet werkelijk weten wat het is om arm te zijn; daarom kunnen we hen vergeven, want de kennis kan slechts tot liefde leiden en de liefde tot dienst. Omdat ze hen niet kennen, worden ze niet door hen geraakt. Ik probeer uit liefde aan de armen te geven, wat de rijken met geld kunnen verkrijgen. Zeker, ik raak geen melaatse aan voor een miljoen, maar ik verzorg hem graag uit liefde voor God. High-Priority GoalsHigh-Priority Goals Making and reaching high-priority goals creates a meaningful life. This is one of the most important concepts for anyone who truly wants to live a happy life. Certainly, gratitude is an important element in happiness. Kindness is another important element. But together with gratitude and kindness, a life devoted to high-priority goals is a vital element for happiness. November 01 Niemand moet zelf doen waarvoor hij de ander bekritiseertH. Ambrosius (ca 340-397), bisschop van Milaan en Kerkleraar "Als lammeren onder de wolven" Toen Hij zijn leerlingen naar de oogst stuurde, zei Jezus tot hen : "Ik stuur jullie als lammeren onder de wolven". Dat zijn vijandige dieren, maar de goede herder is voor zijn kudde niet bang voor de wolven; de leerlingen worden niet gestuurd om prooi te worden, maar om genade te verspreiden. De zorgzaamheid van de goede herder maakt dat de wolven niets tegen de lammeren kunnen ondernemen. Hij stuurt ze dus opdat dit woord zich verwerkelijkt: "Op die dag zullen de wolf en het lam samen weiden" (Jes 65,25)... Overigens hebben de leerlingen die eropuit gestuurd zijn, het voorschrift ontvangen om geen stok mee te nemen. Wat is een stok, is het niet een teken van macht, het instrument dat wraak neemt op pijn? Dus wat de Heer nederig heeft voorgeschreven, vervullen de leerlingen met het uitoefenen van nederigheid. Want Hij stuurt ze erop uit om het geloof te zaaien niet door dwang, maar door het onderricht; niet door de kracht van hun macht te gebruiken, maar door de leer van de nederigheid aan te wakkeren. En Hij heeft het hier goed geacht om de nederigheid aan het geduld te koppelen, want Petrus getuigt: "Christus werd gehoond en hoonde zelf niet, hij leed en dreigde niet, hij liet het oordeel over aan hem die rechtvaardig oordeelt" (1P 2,23). Dat komt er op neer te zeggen: "Wees mijn volgelingen, laat de smaak van de wraak vallen, antwoordt niet op de slagen van de arrogantie door slecht te handelen, maar met geduld vol met goedheid. Niemand moet zelf doen waarvoor hij de ander bekritiseert; de zachtheid brengt de verwaanden hardere slagen toe". De Heer antwoordde op zo'n klap: "Wie je op de rechterwang slaat, keer hem ook de linkerwang toe" (Mt 5,39) . October 20 Living Life One Moment at a Time#678 Living Life One Moment at a Time Your mind and soul can choose to think, speak, and act wisely and meaningfully wherever you are at any given time. You live your entire life one moment at a time. You only need to choose to think one wise thought at a time. You only need to choose to say one positive sentence (or word) at a time. You only need to choose one meaningful action at a time. These all add up. (from Rabbi Pliskin's new book, Life is Now: Creating moments of joy, courage, kindness, and serenity, p. 22) WerkenWerken zonder liefde is nutteloos.
Z. Teresa van Calcutta (1910-1997) October 19 Act Joyously#673 Act Joyously Act joyously. These two words are powerful. They work. Test it out congruently and see for yourself how effective this formula is. If it's so easy, how come everyone isn't radiating joy? I didn't claim it was easy. It's simple to say, but the very fact that not everyone consistently applies it shows that it doesn't come naturally to many people. It takes effort. And it also takes belief in the process. You can counteract the effects of acting joyously by holding back or by repeating to yourself, "This won't really work." "Act with enthusiastic joy and you will actually experience it," was expressed by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto in his classic work "Path of The Just" written in 1740. Since then many professionals in the field of human emotions have repeated this formula. It worked then and it still works now. The more flexible someone is with their emotions, the easier it is for them to apply this. Experiments with biofeedback technology and the testing of hormones in the blood after acting joyously have proven its effectiveness. (From Rabbi Pliskin's "Happiness", p.34) Forgive Fully#670 Forgive Fully A person who sincerely fears the Almighty should forgive someone who wronged him when that person asks for forgiveness. He should do his best to return to the previous state of loving-friendship that existed before the other person erred. We find in the Torah (Genesis 50:21) that Yosef forgave his brothers for selling him into slavery as soon as they asked his forgiveness. He told them that because he fears G-d they need not worry. Is there anyone you have not yet forgiven? If yes, imagine that the person has the wisdom and courage to ask you for forgiveness. Visualize yourself forgiving that person. The next time you encounter that person act with the friendliness of someone you have forgiven. (see Ralbag - Shaar hashalom, no.7) October 16 When you grasp, you are losing your freedomA student asked: "For all the different people who have come to listen to your words, please tell us about the way you have found and known." The Buddha answered: "When you take things it is because of a thirst, a clinging, and a grasping. You should lose that and lose it altogether, above, below, around, and within. It makes no difference what it is you are grasping. When you grasp, you are losing your freedom. Realize this and grasp at nothing. Then you will cease being a creature of attachment, tied to the powers of death." - Sutta Nipata October 13 To repeatHe who repeats what he has learned one hundred times cannot be compared to one who repeats it a hundred and one times.
- Babylonian Talmud, Hagigah 9b A blessingA blessing: the arising of Awakened Ones. A blessing: the teaching of true Dhamma. A blessing: the concord of the Sangha. The austerity of those in concord is a blessing.
- Dhammapada, 14, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Everything Is Relative# 655 Everything Is Relative
Personality traits are like raw material, intrinsically neutral. Classifying any particular trait as positive or negative changes according to the specific way it is employed by an individual in a given situation. If you utilize each trait in its proper time and place, then that trait is considered positive. But if you apply a trait when it is inappropriate, it is considered negative.
For example, the positive trait of "generosity" can actually be negative if it turns into smothering and stifling. On the other hand, the negative trait of anger can be positive when used to fight against evil and injustice
(see Rabbi Yosef Hurwitz of Nevardok - Madraigos Haadam - Birur Hamidos; Rabbi Pliskin's "Consulting the Wise") October 02 Your own True welfareDon't sacrifice your own welfare for that of another, no matter how great. Realizing your own true welfare, be intent on just that. - Dhammapada 166, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu The easy way...There is an extremely easy way to become Buddha. Refraining from all evil, not clinging to birth and death, working in deep compassion for all sentient beings, respecting those over you and pitying those below you, without any detesting or desiring, worrying or lamentation—this is what is called Buddha. Do not search beyond it. - “Birth and Death,” by Zen Master Dogen To Forgive Is To GiveTo Forgive Is To Give Sometimes the greatest kindness you can do for someone is to forgive. Some people will ask you directly for forgiveness. Others lack the awareness, courage or humility to ask your forgiveness. Forgive even if you aren't asked to do so. This can be extremely difficult. And that is why it's so elevating. (From Rabbi Pliskin's book Kindness) NegligenceNegligence produces a lot of dirt. As in a house, so in the mind, only a very little dirt collects in a day or two, but if it goes on for many years, it will grow into a vast heap of refuse. - Commentary to Sutta Nipata Happiness Without ApprovalHappiness Without Approval If you seek approval, ask yourself why you want it in the first place. The answer is that you view approval as pleasurable and giving you happiness. Realize how much needless suffering your approval-seeking causes you. This will motivate you to master an attitude that allows you to feel happy even when people fail to show you honor and approval. It is ironic that something one wants for happiness causes so much unhappiness. By giving up the demand for approval, you will ensure yourself greater happiness in life. (Rabbi Pliskin's "Gateway to Happiness," p.282) September 28 It is not that anger and desire are inherently evilIt is not that anger and desire are inherently evil or that we should feel ashamed when they arise. It is a matter of seeing them as the delusions that they are: distorted conceptions that paint a false picture of reality. They are negative because they lead to unhappiness and confusion. - Kathleen McDonald, "How to Meditate" September 27 The only foundation...The only foundation stone of practice is renunciation. The only gateway of practice is faith. The only approach to practice is compassion.
- Jamgon Kontrul, Creation and Completion June 17 The quality of your life depends on....Be grateful to the Creator of your mind and your life for giving you your own broadcasting show. The quality of your life depends on the quality of your inner broadcasting show. Keep raising the quality of what you say to yourself, and you will live a happier life, full of self-development and self-empowerment. (from Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s book: "Conversations With Yourself", pp.185) [Artscroll.com] June 15 Free from fear and sorrowFrom passion arises
sorrow and from passion arises fear. If a man is free from passion, he is free
from fear and sorrow. June 09 Not "yes" and "no," but "yes" has been in him Second Letter to the Corinthians 1:18-22. As God is faithful, our word to you is not "yes" and "no." For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, Silvanus and Timothy and me, was not "yes" and "no," but "yes" has been in him. For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him; therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory. But the one who gives us security with you in Christ and who anointed us is God; he has also put his seal upon us and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment. Our practice in adverse conditions Adverse circumstances test our courage, our strength of mind, and the
depth of our conviction in the Dharma. There is nothing exceptional about
practicing Dharma in a good environment and atmosphere. The true test is if we
can maintain our practice in adverse conditions. -Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey, "Advice From a Spiritual Friend May 30 Serenity Promotes Harmonious RelationshipsSerenity promotes peaceful and harmonious relationships with other people. We have often cited the verse, "As in water, face to face, so too is the heart of one person to another" (Proverbs 27:19). When you speak serenely to someone, the peaceful energy puts the other person in a better state, and usually that person will speak more pleasantly to you.May 26 Keep On Building Your Self-ConfidenceDaily Lift #209Keep On Building Your Self-Confidence
(from Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s new book: "Conversations With Yourself", pp.162-4) [Artscroll.com] May 25 n the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the worldSaint John of the Cross (1542-1591), carmelite, Doctor of the Church Sayings of light and love "In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world" Strive to keep your heart in peace and do not allow anything that happens in this world make you uneasy, but consider that it must all come to an end. In all things, however annoying they may be, we should rather rejoice than be sad if we are not to lose an even greater good: peace and tranquillity of soul. Even if everything here below were to fall apart and all were to go against us, it would be useless to worry ourselves about it, for worrying would cause us more injury than gain.
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