Causality/ Conditionality
7. *Causality/Conditionality
Dictionary Definition: The relation between a cause and its effect or between regularly correlated events or phenomena; subject to, implying, or dependent upon a condition. (www.Merriam-webster.com)
My Definition: There are almost an infinite number of conditions that cause each specific experience to happen. Conditions are the underlying factors behind every decision and response one makes.
Journal Entry March 6th: My main point I want to achieve currently is to figure out the difference between Interdependent Co-Arising and conditions. I know that they are very linked together but I want to push conditions separately to get a good understanding of them and then combine that with my understanding of Interdependent Co-Arising.
Journal Entry April 28th: While being in college I have become much more aware of the things that come from decisions that I make. I think the picture of the butterfly with the ripples on the water represents causality the best for me. Being on the judicial board for my sorority I see the bigger picture about the decisions that each member of the chapter make. They play a much bigger role than they realize to the whole of the house and it is interesting for me to see how much the role my actions have made impact the house. I wish that I had taken a step back and reflected earlier in my college career, but I see it now and that is the important step and now I need to affect future actions instead of attaching to that thought.
7. *Causality/Conditionality
Dictionary Definition: The relation between a cause and its effect or between regularly correlated events or phenomena; subject to, implying, or dependent upon a condition. (www.Merriam-webster.com)
My Definition: There are almost an infinite number of conditions that cause each specific experience to happen. Conditions are the underlying factors behind every decision and response one makes.
Journal Entry March 6th: My main point I want to achieve currently is to figure out the difference between Interdependent Co-Arising and conditions. I know that they are very linked together but I want to push conditions separately to get a good understanding of them and then combine that with my understanding of Interdependent Co-Arising.
Journal Entry April 28th: While being in college I have become much more aware of the things that come from decisions that I make. I think the picture of the butterfly with the ripples on the water represents causality the best for me. Being on the judicial board for my sorority I see the bigger picture about the decisions that each member of the chapter make. They play a much bigger role than they realize to the whole of the house and it is interesting for me to see how much the role my actions have made impact the house. I wish that I had taken a step back and reflected earlier in my college career, but I see it now and that is the important step and now I need to affect future actions instead of attaching to that thought.
Compassion
8. *Compassion (One of the Four Immeasurables)
Dictionary Definition: Sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it (www.Merriam-webster.com)
My Definition: Compassion is part of the 2 fold path of Buddhism. Wisdom, the first part is insight into the way that things are. You need to have compassion for yourself and for others. It is the heart gaining insight and intimate intuition.
Journal Entry January 22nd: To be compassionate is to be with someone's suffering. If we want to understand dukkha one has to be willing to be with their craving and dukkha. To love and be compassionate is to help others get rid of their suffering and genuinely care about their well being.
8. *Compassion (One of the Four Immeasurables)
Dictionary Definition: Sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it (www.Merriam-webster.com)
My Definition: Compassion is part of the 2 fold path of Buddhism. Wisdom, the first part is insight into the way that things are. You need to have compassion for yourself and for others. It is the heart gaining insight and intimate intuition.
Journal Entry January 22nd: To be compassionate is to be with someone's suffering. If we want to understand dukkha one has to be willing to be with their craving and dukkha. To love and be compassionate is to help others get rid of their suffering and genuinely care about their well being.
Craving
9. *Craving: Trsna
Dictionary Definition: The craving or desire to hold onto pleasurable experiences, to be separated from painful or unpleasant experiences, and for neutral experiences or feelings not to decline. (Wikipedia)
My Definition: Craving of a particular sort, does not refer to all types of desire. Craving is a better word to use because it refers to negative desires and addictions. Desire that is of an excessive, selfish, or morbid nature and usually directed towards unwholesome objects. Craving arises from a mind that has been habituated to pursuing craving, a mind that is in ignorance of the consequences caused by such pursuits. But trsna does not necessarily cause dukkha by arising in the mind. Dukkha will only arise if one grasps at trsna when it arises.
Journal Entry February 22nd: I found it very interesting that in Ricard’s article he pointed out that a key common factor when you ask a number of people to describe their “perfect” happiness is the momentary disappearance of inner conflicts. When I look at this, I see it as a form of craving. Isn’t this just craving for dukkha to not exist in their lives? When re-reading this, I decided to look at it for what it is. If I see this desire to have things be pleasant all the time, I will see that particular thought as dukkha and let it go as a thought.
Journal Entry February 26th: Experiencing life through the lens of ones likes and dislikes is dependent on habituated stories about what is good and what is bad, for oneself, it limits one’s ability to experience life in the fullest way. Today in class we talked again about the Dhammapada, “Mind precedes phenomena.” Our rose-colored glasses tint every new moment of experience. I went on a service trip of Christmas break. Assigned to my group, was my ex-boyfriend’s best friend. I started dreading the trip because I did not want to spend two weeks with her in a small group. My rose-tinted glasses were ruining the trip for me before it even began. Over the two weeks, I got to know her very well and realized I had nothing against her and we were actually very similar. We are now really good friends and going over this made me look at that situation and change how I approach future similar situations. I could have missed out on meeting one of my best friends because of preconceived notions.
9. *Craving: Trsna
Dictionary Definition: The craving or desire to hold onto pleasurable experiences, to be separated from painful or unpleasant experiences, and for neutral experiences or feelings not to decline. (Wikipedia)
My Definition: Craving of a particular sort, does not refer to all types of desire. Craving is a better word to use because it refers to negative desires and addictions. Desire that is of an excessive, selfish, or morbid nature and usually directed towards unwholesome objects. Craving arises from a mind that has been habituated to pursuing craving, a mind that is in ignorance of the consequences caused by such pursuits. But trsna does not necessarily cause dukkha by arising in the mind. Dukkha will only arise if one grasps at trsna when it arises.
Journal Entry February 22nd: I found it very interesting that in Ricard’s article he pointed out that a key common factor when you ask a number of people to describe their “perfect” happiness is the momentary disappearance of inner conflicts. When I look at this, I see it as a form of craving. Isn’t this just craving for dukkha to not exist in their lives? When re-reading this, I decided to look at it for what it is. If I see this desire to have things be pleasant all the time, I will see that particular thought as dukkha and let it go as a thought.
Journal Entry February 26th: Experiencing life through the lens of ones likes and dislikes is dependent on habituated stories about what is good and what is bad, for oneself, it limits one’s ability to experience life in the fullest way. Today in class we talked again about the Dhammapada, “Mind precedes phenomena.” Our rose-colored glasses tint every new moment of experience. I went on a service trip of Christmas break. Assigned to my group, was my ex-boyfriend’s best friend. I started dreading the trip because I did not want to spend two weeks with her in a small group. My rose-tinted glasses were ruining the trip for me before it even began. Over the two weeks, I got to know her very well and realized I had nothing against her and we were actually very similar. We are now really good friends and going over this made me look at that situation and change how I approach future similar situations. I could have missed out on meeting one of my best friends because of preconceived notions.