July, 2022
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Meeting modern day challenges with ancient wisdom

The Nutriments of Life
by Aruna

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​As I was out walking through the garden this morning, I reflected on one of the lesser known teachings of the Buddha which is about the four nutriments of life. What makes it possible for the plants to grow and yield fruit? Of course, we know the answer is sunlight, water, and nutrients from the soil and air. But why, then, do some plants grow well and others don't. Easy, you say: they were exposed to different conditions and were lacking some of the things they needed. Or maybe, the seed was bad to start with. There are multiple other possibilities such as weather or insect damage, for, after all, kamma is too complex to be presented in a linear way.
Sharing the merit of our practice with all beings who are suffering, especially those affected by wild fires, drought, and flooding.
​This same principle applies to what we as humans consume to keep ourselves going. 
The teaching of the four nutriments is presented within the context of right view because nutriment carries the thread of cause and effect (karma/karma). Basically, nutriment can be described as that which is needed to sustain and maintain life. It is what causes growth and what carries momentum that leads to new life. However, when the Buddha taught about nutriment, he wasn't only talking about food. He was also referring to sense impressions or contact, mental volition and consciousness. 

Think about it. How much of your time throughout the day is spent in search of new sights, sounds, tastes, touches, thoughts, ideas and experiences? Nearly all of it, right? This is necessary in order to keep us alive and continuing to exist as a species. Plus, we enjoy planning, creating, pondering and experiencing new things. But, again, like plants, we can grow in different ways depending upon which of these experiences we opt to take in. If I consume a lot of junk food, my body will get sick. Similarly, if I consume junk thoughts or take in unwholesome videos, my mind will also be conditioned by that intake. For example, if I ruminate on thoughts of anger or revenge, I am more inclined to act in an unwholesome way. My thoughts and later my actions will shape my experience from that point forward.

The Buddha is not suggesting that we cease to take in any of the nutriments, but that we consider the quality of what we take in so that we will experience quality results. If you watch too much news, how does that make you feel? If you spend time meditating, what results can you notice? Life does not just happen to us, leaving us to just deal with it. We create our future with the choices we make in the present. May yours be informed by wisdom so that the results you experience will be most beneficial.
Click on the July Newsletter link below for reflections on Aruna's article

A More Intentional Practice
 
By SIster Khemanandi

Even though our practice
​is 24/ 7, there are times it can be helpful to put extra effort - focus in some aspect of our practice you believe it could be beneficial and  or because it needs a little extra attention.  This could be focusing on a not beneficial habit, maybe one of the precepts that you think could be given extra attention or any other thing you can think of that you would like to focus for a week or so.  Let's say, maybe you would like to focus on right speech, and specifically, no divisive speech.
Once you have decided what that is, then think of your plan of action, how you are going to relate to this situation in a more wholesome way.  Start your day setting your intention, this way is fresh in your mind as you go about the day.  Set your intention in your own words that you find it relevant to you. At the end of the day it helps to review - how did I do? how can I do better next time? Or maybe doing well, keep at it.  Set plans for next time and being careful not to judge self.  Remember most of the time is going to take time to change so be realistic on your goals, have determination, have patience, don't take it personally, have self-compassion.
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          Speech is one of the hardest precepts and it's not like we are expecting ourselves to perfect it in a week.  What we are doing here is placing extra effort for a week with fresh intentions set in the morning then going about the day and see how we do it, day after day.

          Sometimes we might find it very hard, indeed this is going to take a long time... But remember, every little step, as small as it can be counts.  Some other times, not as often, we may surprise ourselves and realize that this habit wasn't as hard to change after all.
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Remember wholesome intention, determination, consistence, patience and self compassion.

Newsletters 2020-22

July, 2022, Summer at the WEB
​June, 2022, Community and May Retreat
May, 2022, Community and Gratitude for Chris
April, 2022, Community garden and Mind Training Insight
March, 2022, Optimism or Pessimism? the little things do count...
February, 2022, Taking Flight for Freedom
January, 2022, Waking Up Together - Exploring Sangha as Refuge
November, 2021, What to do with the hindrances
October, 2021, Garden gathering and Retreat News
September, 2021, Transitions
July, 2021, Discovering a Boundless Heart
June, 2021, Adjusting to Change
April, 2021, Mutually Beneficial
December 2020, Patience and Introducing Sister Khemanandi
Fall 2020 Letting Go of Ayya
September 2020, Cultural Sensitivity
Summer 2020, Transition
Spring 2020, In passing, there is peace
April 2020, Impermanence and Uncertainty
March 2020, What is Karma?
February, 2020, Gift Economy
January, 2020, Resilience
Want to learn more?  Click here for the 2019 Newsletters