On this collection, I’d prefer to current rules and ideas from Zen Buddhism and invite you, via journal prompts, to think about how making use of those rules would possibly enhance your intimate relationships. In every submit, I’ll current 5 rules and two journal prompts per precept. Please take pleasure in!
Listed here are the following 5 rules we’ll think about.
Proper Understanding (Samma Ditthi)
Samma Ditthi is a Pali time period from Buddhism that interprets to “Proper View” or “Proper Understanding” and refers to cultivating a deep comprehension of the character of actuality, struggling, and the trail to liberation. Particularly, it refers to an understanding of the reality of struggling, an understanding of the causes of struggling, an understanding that it’s attainable to finish struggling (by relinquishing craving and attachment), and an understanding of the trail resulting in a cessation of struggling. It’s the first issue of the Noble Eightfold Path, which is a elementary information in Buddhist observe resulting in the cessation of struggling and the attainment of enlightenment.
+ For those who and the one you love are struggling, what do you see because the “causes” of that struggling?
+ Image a path resulting in the cessation of that struggling. What do you see?
Proper Focus (Samma Samadhi)
Samma Samadhi refers back to the growth of deep psychological focus and focus. Proper focus entails the unification of the thoughts, the place all psychological schools are directed in the direction of a single object or level of focus (one-pointedness of thoughts). With proper focus come readability and stability, the place the thoughts turns into calm and free from distractions, restlessness, and agitation; and with it additionally comes a pleasure and tranquility that helps additional non secular progress and psychological growth.
+ How would possibly “proper focus” assist your intimate relationship?
+ Think about that you just had been clearer on what would assist enhance your intimate relationship. What do you see?
Modesty (Ken)
Ken refers to recognizing one’s limitations, sustaining a humble perspective, and avoiding conceitedness and self-importance. It’s usually used within the context of “kenshō,” which interprets to “seeing one’s true nature” or “seeing into one’s personal nature.” Kenshō is an preliminary perception or awakening expertise, the place a person perceives their true nature or the true nature of actuality. Whereas kenshō offers a profound glimpse into the character of existence and the self, continued observe and deepening of understanding are vital to realize full enlightenment.
+ Do you see advantages to sustaining a humbler perspective in your intimate relationship? Does which have its place?
+ What are you able to do to take care of the fact that each you and the one you love convey your particular person limitations to the connection?
Religious Friendship (Kalyanamitra)
Kalyanamitra refers to constructing significant and supportive relationships that nurture non secular growth. The time period interprets to “non secular buddy” or “noble buddy” and refers to an individual who’s a sensible, virtuous, and supportive companion on the non secular path. The idea emphasizes the significance of getting good buddies and mentors who can present steerage, help, and encouragement in a single’s observe and one’s journey in the direction of enlightenment. A kalyāṇamitra reveals compassion and understanding, affords a non-judgmental and empathetic presence, listens and responds with kindness and knowledge, and helps one to really feel supported and understood.
+ How would possibly the thought of “noble friendship” apply to your intimate relationship?
+ Image you and the one you love as “non secular buddies.” What do you see as the advantages of that? Is there any draw back?
Attachment to Rituals (Silabbatupadana)
Silabbatupadana is an idea in Buddhism referring to the attachment or clinging to rites and rituals. It’s thought-about one of many varieties of clinging that causes struggling. Within the context of Buddhist teachings, Silabbatupadana represents a misunderstanding or misapplication of non secular practices. As an alternative of utilizing rites and rituals as a way to domesticate mindfulness, moral conduct, and knowledge, an individual turns into overly connected to those practices, believing that mere efficiency of rituals or adherence to guidelines will result in non secular liberation. This attachment is believed to hinder true understanding.
+ Consider one thing that you just and the one you love are very used to doing mechanically, with out pondering or actual presence. Are you connected to doing it that means? Or would possibly there be a extra significant method to take?
+ How would possibly the thought of “clinging to rites and rituals” apply to your intimate relationship?
**
READ PART ONE HERE
Extra to come back!
**
Within the midst of life’s ongoing pressures, a strong, ten-second method can change worry or fear into calm, energy, and centeredness. The idea of Ten Zen Seconds lies in utilizing a single deep breath as a container for a selected thought. Mixing Japanese rules of breath consciousness and mindfulness with Western rules of constructive psychology, this information presents meditative incantations that supply highly effective antidotes to emphasize, procrastination, and nervousness.
The method is easy to understand, easy to make use of, easy to observe, and easy to grasp. It may be used wherever, anytime, by anybody, and it offers profound advantages. You’ll end up capable of do issues that beforehand felt too painful or too tough to aim and uncover methods to quiet and middle your self earlier than an essential assembly or dialog. Finally, you’ll change your primary attitudes about life, turning into peaceable and upbeat as an alternative of anxious or pessimistic.
—
iStock picture