A few weeks ago i went to a an event called ‘Awake Sydney‘, hosted by Sogyal Rinpoche who wrote the ‘Tibetan book of the living and dying’
Tupac Shakur was a big fan of this book, he foretold his own death, wrote songs to cover every possible way he might die, maybe it was only a matter of time? But that’s another story.
A few months ago, i went to a business networking event/talk about introducing buddhism concepts to business people, which i found interesting, the presenter had a business model around Buddhism and it didn’t happen sitting under a tree either.
The essence of Buddhism
I will share some notes with you of the ideas i learn at the ‘Awake Sydney’ lecture
Of course, these concepts are relevent to everybody
Inner peace and contentment, the heart of being human is to be happy
Happiness:
Happiness is a mental or emotional state of well-being characterized by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.
There are two kinds of happiness
1, Physical comfort (senses)
2, Mental contentment
Dali Lama says:
There are two kinds of happiness – the temporary pleasure derived primarily from material comfort alone and another more enduring comfort that results from the thorough transformation and development of the mind.
We can see in our own lives that the latter form of happiness is superior because when our mental state is calm and happy, we can easily put up with minor pains and physical discomforts. On the other hand, when our mind is restless and upset, the most comfortable physical facilities do not make us happy
Socrates, more than a piece of plaster hang on your wall
Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty
Contentment is not a warm gun, it is:
1, Compassion
2, Patience
It is the foolish that go looking for happiness outside of ourselves
Buddhas teaching:
Do no evil, keep your mind clear
- Peace
- Compassion
- Wisdom
Abandon negative actions of:
- Body
- Speech
- Mind = motion
When you harm others it harms you, when you help others it helps you.
Whats the connection?
We are all connected, If you harm , it results in suffering
If you can’t help, dont do harm and dont keep malice in your heart.
Work on yourself
Needs more work?
Think globally and act locally.
Do you need something interesting to say in the morning besides talking about the weather?
Maybe try:
How is your good heart today?
Buddhism is about transforming the heart and mind
Tame your mind, not others.
Get the picture?
When you tame your mind, your perception is transformed and you respond to things differently
Things to watch out for:
- Delusion and distraction
- Fear and Anxiety
Roosavelt
The only fear is the fear of fear
Work with the mind
Mind = Heart
Mind is the creator of:
- Samsara
- Nirvana
- Happiness
- Suffering
Buddha:
“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.”
Paradise lost:
Mind is its own place and in its self can make a heaven of hell and hell of heaven
Shakespeare:
There is nothing good or bad only thinking makes it so
Our main task in life is to work with our mind and purify perception
Only ignorant judge
The mind can always be transformed, so there is always hope
Samsara:
Through longing to be happy, in their ignorance they destroy their happiness as if it were the enemy
Mind:
Samsara = Mind turned outwardly
Nirvana = Mind turned inwardly
Your problems are because you cannot sit in a room by yourself
Meditation is about bringing the mind home (to a state of non destruction)
By meditation and practicing compassion, you alter your neuroplasticity, which can in turn lead to a state of happiness without reason and which i have read can increased levels of a hormone called ‘DHEA‘
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is produced by the adrenal glands located just above the kidneys, and is referred to widely as ‘the mother of hormones’ because it is utilised by the body to produce many other hormones, including testosterone and oestrogen.
DHEA is also well known as a steroid used by athletes and bodybuilders to increase their androgen levels and improve performance.
Pay attention to your own game
Just as in your mind, if you don’t stiff it, it will become clear
As long as you are aware of everything going and not entangled in the goings on, that is meditation
What ever you do, you are completely there, that is meditation
Kieran O' Callaghan 
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