Rational Nation USA

“As long as space abides and as long as the world abides, so long may I abide, destroying the sufferings of the world.” “If the problem can be solved why worry? If the problem cannot be solved worrying will do you no good.” “What need is there to say more? The childish work for their own benefit, The Buddhas work for the benefit of others. Just look at the difference between them.” “May I be a light for those in need of light. May I be a bed for those in need of rest. May I be a servant for those in need of service, for all embodied beings.” “May those whose hell it is to hate and hurt be turned into lovers bringing flowers.” “Just as I defend myself, therefore, From all unpleasant happenings however small, Likewise, I shall act for others' sake To guard and to protect them with compassion.” “Take advantage of this human boat; Free yourself from sorrow's mighty stream! This vessel will be later hard to find. The time that you have now, you fool, is not for sleep!” “It is natura...

 

  Traveling along life's winding path, attachments we accumulate. Items of comfort and pleasure we long for, serve only to increase our torment. Fear of losing what we've strove to acquire, we grasp ever more franticly for permanence. As impermanence is the state of all that is, perpetual grasping brings perpetual suffering. Sitting in meditation, as wisdom grows and clarity arises, liberation from attachments and suffering is realized. LEC   

  Looking into the mind one sees open spaciousness and luminosity's glow , as it baths the infinite  expanses of the cosmos. Aware of the tender compassion that naturally fills the beating heart, love flows forth, as it helps relieve the suffering of all sentient beings in samsara. Realizing that form is emptiness, and emptiness is form, one awakens to enlightened wisdom, understanding, and bliss all three. Sitting on the cushion, deep in meditation's relaxed state, the truth of non-duality arises and manifests in consciousness. Resting in the awareness of one's own Buddha nature, equanimity, serenity, and boundless love and compassion flow. LEC

  Bathed in the warmth of the morning sun I awoke, joyful for the birth of a new day. The blessings awaiting me I could not guess,  but the excitement was great just the same. As the flow of my day rolled along, my heart soared, ever higher, bringing boundless joy and wonderment. Resting in each moment, neither rushing nor resisting, great equanimity and awareness arose. Sitting on my cushion with legs crossed and eyes closed, the understanding of form and emptiness manifested. Seeing beyond the self into the true nature of heart/mind, interconnectedness and interbeing rang true. LEC  

  When such people with stable minds—without being boastful about the mere number of months or years they have spent practicing in retreat—see this entrance and undertake the practice, they will definitely achieve the supreme state of Buddha Vajradhara in this very lifetime. Of this there is no doubt. —  The Vajra Essence , Düdjom Lingpa’s Visions of the Great Perfection, Vol. 3 Rest in your true nature without effort or distraction — Mingyur Rinpoche teaches the renowned practice of Dzogchen. Lion's Roar -  You are already perfect. You are already a buddha. In fact, there’s no difference between your   true nature , right now as you sit reading this, and the true nature of the buddha, or any enlightened being for that matter. That’s the view of  Dzogchen , a Tibetan word that means “Great Perfection.” Dzogchen is treasured above all other practices in the Nyingma school of Vajrayana Buddhism because it helps us connect directly with our own enlightened nature...

  Today I noticed a lonely little cloud in an otherwise cloudless sky In that little cloud I beheld a field of clover. Today I noticed a lonely little cloud in an otherwise cloudless sky In that cloud I beheld a grove of poplar trees. Today I noticed a lonely little cloud in an otherwise cloudless sky In that cloud I beheld a flock of mourning Doves. Today I noticed a lonely little cloud in an otherwise cloudless sky In that cloud was a vison of the "self", dissolving. Into open spacious emptiness and luminosity.

  Posting will be paused from January 21st through January 27th as I will be on retreat. Have a blessed week .

  Universal basic income (UBI), as a universal and unconditional periodic cash payment directly to individuals, has recently become a topic of interest among politicians, scholars, and religious leaders. It aims to serve as a neatly designed policy tool to address widening income disparities. Even though further studies are required, some  existing evidence  supports that UBI-style programs alleviate poverty, improve health and education outcomes, and do not hinder labor market participation. These programs have drawn more interest and debate during the COVID-19 pandemic, as they are temporarily accepted to serve as band-aid and short-term responses to the unprecedented economic dislocation. The pandemic may push the circumstances to extremes: Even some self-righteous defenders of the free market are willing to concede that if rescue packages are required to bail out failing corporations, many others may need help too! When people are restricted from working to protect pu...

  THE BUDDHIST CORE VALUES AND PERSPECTIVES FOR PROTECTION CHALLENGES: FAITH AND PROTECTION  I. THE BACKGROUND OF BUDDHISM Buddhism, like most of the great religions of the world, is divided into a number of different traditions. However, most traditions share a common set of fundamental beliefs.  One central belief of Buddhism is often referred to as reincarnation -- the concept that people are reborn after dying. In fact, most individuals go through many cycles of birth, living, death and rebirth. A practicing Buddhist differentiates between the concepts of rebirth and reincarnation.  In reincarnation, the individual may recur repeatedly. In rebirth, a person does not necessarily return to Earth as the same entity ever again. He compares it to a leaf growing on a tree. When the withering leaf falls off, a new leaf will eventually replace it. It is similar to the old leaf, but it is not identical to the original leaf.  Buddhism is a philosophy of life expounded...