A Buddhist struggles with impermanence vs. marriage--how can a relationship be secure and fleeting? -- Beliefnet.com

Beliefnet.com Wisdom on Relationships

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A Buddhist struggles with impermanence vs. marriage--how can a relationship be secure and fleeting? -- Beliefnet.com: "He was also concerned about giving up his solitude and really didn’t know how long he would want the relationship to continue. Given all this, should they live together, could this work? he asked.

I was totally ready with “I have no idea,” when a voice popped into my head and said, “Of course it can work. As long as you don’t expect it to make you happy.” So I reported these words and we had a moment. We were kind of embarrassed—yes, Buddhists are supposed to know that craving creates suffering, but I guess we still secretly hoped that a relationship could make us happy, if only we could get the circumstances just right.

My new pal and I talked about this, about how relationships can blind us to the dharma quicker than anything. As we said goodbye and I watched him walk away, I wanted to call out, “Don’t be afraid to tell yourself the truth about relationships.” And then I wondered, well, what is the truth, exactly? Do I really believe they’re not supposed to make you happy? And when we long for a lasting relationship (as most people I know do), what happens to the second noble truth? Why do we forget that craving creates suffering?"

BuddhaNet Magazine Article: Buddhist Sexual Ethics

From Buddhanet.net:

BuddhaNet Magazine Article: Buddhist Sexual Ethics: "Like all religions, Buddhism takes a strong ethical stand in human affairs and sexual behaviour in particular. The most common formulation of Buddhist ethics are the five precents:

I undertake the training precept of:

1. Refraining from harming living beings/practising loving kindness
2. Refraining from taking the non-given/practising generosity
3. Refraining from committing sexual misconduct/practising contentment
4. Refraining from false speech/practising truthful communication
5. Refraining from intoxicants/practising mindfulness.

These precepts take the form of voluntary, personal undertakings. They are not commandments; there is no god in Buddhism, so none to issue any."

An interview with the Dalai Lama -- Beliefnet.com

An interview with the Dalai Lama -- Beliefnet.com: "You’ve often said that we should remain in our own traditions. Can you say what you mean by that?

Generally speaking, it is better to keep one’s own tradition. It is more suitable. But among some people—in the West they are usually Christians, Jews, and to some extent Muslims—there is an interest in Buddhism. Sometimes, because of their individual mental dispositions, they do not find much in their own tradition that is effective, but they still want a spiritual practice. They feel a strong pull toward Buddhism, and then, of course, it is their right to follow Buddhism. "

An interview with the Dalai Lama -- Beliefnet.com

An interview with the Dalai Lama -- Beliefnet.com: "In the West there are many different schools of Buddhism. Where do we find common ground?

I would like to say that we are all students of one teacher—the Buddha. One very kind, wise teacher. That is most important. As followers or students of this great teacher, we should take his own life as a model. His sacrifice—leaving his palace and remaining in the forest for six years. He worked hard in order to become enlightened. When the Buddha started teaching, he considered his audience’s mentality, their mental disposition, and then, accordingly, gave teachings.

All the traditions in Buddhism have their own unique aspects. But in essence, we are all students of the same teacher. "

Stephen K. Hayes - Quest Centers

Stephen K. Hayes - Quest Centers: "SHO-SHIN HEART - Know and live the To-Shin Do code of mindful action as a warrior protector, not as a trouble-seeker trained to fight and hurt others"

Beach Volleyball News - AVP News and beach volleyball articles

Blake Cantrell Tells Cali When Not to Play Beach Volleyball

Beach Volleyball players, in my experience, are profoundly pro-beach vs indoors. In the north east, the weather mandates a great deal of indoor playing. So when I saw a reference by Mr. Cantrell about when-not-to-play-beach, it gave me a chuckle.

Beach Volleyball News - AVP News and beach volleyball articles: "Roadhouse: Social Commentary for the Modern Man

by Blake Cantrell

After a long and grueling summer and a magical November heat wave we have finally felt the pinch of the bitter cold here on the left coast and for us working class 9-5 schlubs that pretty much means the end to any beach volleyball. When I leave work it's black as midnight and weekends are cold to the point where my little baby toe goes numb in the sand and my joints hurt deep inside the marrow of the bone. I mean, some nights, it's almost been as low as 58 degrees. That's just crazy.

So what I'm saying here is that if there is ever a month where we can probably pass right over any actual physical participation of beach volleyball it would be December. That said, I've taken to watching quite a few movies lately and just the other day I was treated to a full viewing of the 1989 Patrick Swayze classic, Roadhouse."

Sports demand a growth in physical capability. Much of this development of an individual can be examined in accordance to a spiritual growth. While my blog has a slant towards meditation, yoga, and Buddhism, I believe that Mr. Cantrell demonstrated an exceptional personal growth last year evident in his game and in his writing career. He is to be commended, in my opinion.

Best regards to David Goodman and Blake Cantrell and the others at Beach Volley Ball News!

Kate
Connecticut
Editor, The Sleeping Cat

Solitudes

The greatest nature web sites have been enhanced by the nature and music compiled by Dan and Gordon Gibson. Solitudes.com explains that the benefit easily translates to the meditation room or location benefited by sound therapy.

Somerset Entertainment: "In 1986, Gordon Gibson joined his father at Solitudes. After releasing 12 titles featuring only nature sounds, a new Solitudes album combining nature sounds with music was released. Gordon believed that a carefully arranged musical score could enhance and complement the natural sounds and create an even more inspiring listening experience. After considerable discussion, Dan agreed on the condition that the music harmonize, rather than compete with his nature sounds.


Throughout the 1990's awareness of the Solitudes line grew rapidly and distribution developed worldwide. More recently, Solitudes has acquired a diverse appeal. Beyond the basic appreciation of nature, customers have identified the therapeutic value of the albums and have begun to use it for stress relief, sleeping assistance and meditation. Today, it is used in hospitals, prisons and schools. "