{"id":2068,"date":"2020-03-10T10:53:46","date_gmt":"2020-03-10T00:53:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/?page_id=2068"},"modified":"2020-03-14T11:25:05","modified_gmt":"2020-03-14T01:25:05","slug":"lessons-learnt","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/","title":{"rendered":"Lessons Learnt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Streamlining:\nLessons Learnt!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In sorting through accumulated notes, books, journals,\nmagazines, personal items, letters and cards, as well as CD\u2019s \u2013 stored in boxes\n(from several moves), drawers, and cupboards \u2013 the following notes reflect insights\nI have gained:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hoarding<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

1. Time<\/em>, energy<\/em>, space<\/em>\nare wasted in hoarding items. Why keep items, if really not being used?! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2, GIVE while I have the\nopportunity! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. I can\u2019t take anything\nmaterial with me when I die.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

——<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Preciousness of This\nLife!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cAlas! It is difficult to\nbring together the freedoms and favourable conditions conducive to the\nrealisation of enlightenment.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cThe life of beings rushes by\nlike a waterfall!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cDo not waste the favourable\nconditions and freedoms that you have been granted; do not let your life be\nspent in vain!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: On the Path to\nEnlightenment: Heart Advice from the Great Tibetan Masters<\/em> by Matthieu\nRicard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

——<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

1. I don\u2019t know how much time I\nhave left in this life \u2014 therefore, don\u2019t waste it on trivial activities<\/em>\n(e.g. hoarding useless household items \u2014 get rid of them quickly!) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Let my tidying take place\nSWIFTLY \u2014 to get onto far, far more important pursuits (such as Dharma reading\nor listening; reflection; meditation). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Remember that I only have so\nmuch time in life \u2014 time is life<\/em><\/strong>! Don\u2019t waste my life! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Work QUICKLY!!! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Don\u2019t be FEARFUL in throwing\njunk out! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

——<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Integrity and Discipline<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

1. There is discipline<\/em>, integrity<\/em>,\ncharacter<\/em>, and ethics<\/em> involved in getting the areas I\u2019m\nresponsible for back into order. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cAny accumulation of wisdom is\nbased on a solid accumulation of good actions. It\u2019s unavoidable.\u201d (Lama Ole\nNydahl) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Act swiftly, but responsibly!\nDon\u2019t waste time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

——<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Incentives for\nStreamlining<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

1. Imagine that I am about to\nmove to a new home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Why not imagine creating a\nPure Land?! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Remember: discipline, integrity,\ncharacter, ethics! These are part of the Buddhist path! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. \u201cAny accumulation of wisdom is based on a solid\naccumulation of good actions. It\u2019s unavoidable.\u201d (Lama Ole Nydahl)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Prepare for LEAVING! \u2014 in an x\n(unknown) amount of time, I will simply not be here! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Therefore, ask: What is\nessential today, right now in fact?? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Rest in my true nature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Be ready to go \u2014 at a moment\u2019s\nnotice \u2014 like my mother. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. THINK: You never know what can\nhappen tomorrow! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. THINK: You never know what a\nday may bring forth! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. This is a remarkable window\nof time \u2014 use it to the best of my ability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. THINK of the causes and\nconditions to make my present life possible! Make the most of my opportunity!! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

13. Remember the slogans\n(\u201clojong\u201d practice). They are like the Proverbs in the Bible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

——<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma \u2013 The Law of Causality<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

1. Karma \u2013 simply put as cause\nand effect \u2013 is an infallible law in the universe. Four aspects of karma are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a. There is no effect without a cause.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

b. The effect is always similar\nto the cause, and it is certain! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

c. There is never a loss of an effect.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

d. An effect expands! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Neglect, laziness, and \u201callowing things go to\npot\u201d have consequences! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. One simply cannot circumvent\nkarma! A harvest will come. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Sometimes, we simply have to\nlet karma work itself out in a person\u2019s life \u2014 and one can\u2019t do anything about\nit! No use trying, in a sense. However, one should certainly show compassion,\nand help if possible. For the person: they have to make the most of the\nsituation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Karma is actually a powerful<\/em>\nlaw or force! Respect it!<\/em> Diligently watch my thoughts, words, and\nactions!!! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Remember, it\u2019s not<\/em>\nabout crime and punishment! It is about cause and effect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Keep asking WHY? For example:\nWhy does one person have a very long life in good health \u2014 and another has a\nshort life, full of illness? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. One cannot get around cause\nand effect, in this life and in future lives!!! Respect this deeply! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. How foolishly I have\nsometimes acted in the past \u2014 by not<\/em> giving heed to my thoughts, words,\nand actions!!! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

13. Remember that effects are\ncertain<\/em>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

14. Again, it is not<\/em> punishment;\nperhaps penalties would be a better alternate word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

——<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karma \u2014 Further Thoughts\nabout Cause and Effect<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

1. Karma governs reaching Enlightenment\nor Awakening (in the Buddhist tradition this is seen as Buddhahood)! It also governs\npast lives, affecting a person today! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Karma \u2013 cause and effect \u2013 governs\nevery day life. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a. Distrust is a cause for non-sharing\nand non-disclosure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

b. Disrespect is also a cause for\nnon-sharing and non-disclosure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

c. When private information is disclosed\nand confidentiality broken, it causes distrust and non-sharing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

d. Bible: A person offended is a\ncause for the loss of trust. \u201cA brother offended is harder to win than a strong\ncity, And contentions are like the bars of a castle\u201d (Proverbs 18:19 NKJV). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. It\u2019s all cause and effect: NOT\nthat I\u2019m a bad person or there is a problem with me! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. The problem may well be mine \u2014\nNOT the other person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Cause and effect: INTEGRITY is\na definite key! It is a cause for WISDOM. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Bible: A good understanding\nhave those who DO the commands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. The PATH is the CAUSE for\nBuddhahood, the cessation from suffering (Nirvana)! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. We don\u2019t like the effects\n(consequences) we have caused! Then we blame some other person, and think that\nthe problem is with them!!! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. You can\u2019t go against karma in\nlife!!! Accept myself; accept others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Our problems are self-caused\n\u2014 there is no-one to blame! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. This is a just, perfect\nuniverse! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. Of course, we don\u2019t like the\nconsequences! But it\u2019s no use wishing they didn\u2019t exist \u2014 or blaming some other\nperson. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

13. How liberating this\nunderstanding about karma is! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

14. Remember that causes and\neffects carry over from past lives! And, into future lives! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

——<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some Essential \u201cRules\nfor Life\u201d<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

1. Bear no aversion<\/em> toward\nanyone \u2013 there is no need to, because I am the cause of any problems and\nsuffering that I have brought upon myself!!! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Be attached<\/em> to no-one\nor anything. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be open<\/em> and free<\/em>\n\u2014 toward everyone and everything. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Judge nobody<\/em>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

——<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do Not Judge Others!<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

1. It is said that when the\ntendency to condemn others has fully matured, in this life you will lose what\nyou cherish.<\/em> In the next, you will either be born among the spirits or as\nan enslaved human being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Since ordinary beings [like\nourselves] lack the supersensible cognitions [of spiritually advanced beings],\nwe do not know who may be an Arhat and who a Bodhisattva, how such beings may\nbe teaching Dharma, or what special methods they may be using to help sentient\nbeings. Being ignorant yourself, do not judge others!<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3, [Again, being ignorant\nyourself, do not judge others!] Since it is said that one who despises a\nBodhisattva will suffer the agonies of hell for many kalpas, do not discount\nthe seriousness of even one unpleasant joke at another\u2019s expense. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: The Torch of Certainty<\/em>\nby Jamgon Kongtrul <\/p>\n\n\n\n

——<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obstacles to\nEnlightenment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Recognise what four main obstacles are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Karma \u2014 negative karma <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Obscurations \u2014 intellectual\nobscurations <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Poisons \u2014 mind\u2019s poisons <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Patterns \u2014 habitual patterns <\/p>\n\n\n\n

——<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alexander Peck (October 29, 2019) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Reviewed March 14, 2020) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Reflection:
Again, do not ignore impermanence. Whatever seems to be a priority in your life is really quite temporary. It comes and goes. Nothing is reliable. …
If you understand this, there is no time to fight. There is no time to argue. There is no time to hurt one another. Whether you think about it in terms of humanity, nations, communities, or individuals, there is no time for anything less than truly appreciating the brief interaction we have with one another.
(Tulku Chagdud Rinpoche) <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\"Facebook\"<\/a>\"twitter\"<\/a>\"reddit\"<\/a>\"pinterest\"<\/a>\"linkedin\"<\/a>\"mail\"<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Streamlining: Lessons Learnt! In sorting through accumulated notes, books, journals, magazines, personal items, letters and cards, as well as CD\u2019s \u2013 stored in boxes (from several moves), drawers, and cupboards \u2013 the following notes reflect insights I have gained: Hoarding …<\/span> Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"spay_email":""},"yoast_head":"\nLessons Learnt - End-of-Life Reflections<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Lessons Learnt - End-of-Life Reflections\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Streamlining: Lessons Learnt! In sorting through accumulated notes, books, journals, magazines, personal items, letters and cards, as well as CD\u2019s \u2013 stored in boxes (from several moves), drawers, and cupboards \u2013 the following notes reflect insights I have gained: Hoarding … Continue reading →\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"End-of-Life Reflections\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2020-03-14T01:25:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_0901-768x1024.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/\",\"name\":\"End-of-Life Reflections\",\"description\":\"Reflections on dying and death from a Buddhist view\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/#primaryimage\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_0901-768x1024.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_0901-768x1024.jpg\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/\",\"name\":\"Lessons Learnt - End-of-Life Reflections\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/#primaryimage\"},\"datePublished\":\"2020-03-10T00:53:46+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-03-14T01:25:05+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Lessons Learnt\"}]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Lessons Learnt - End-of-Life Reflections","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Lessons Learnt - End-of-Life Reflections","og_description":"Streamlining: Lessons Learnt! In sorting through accumulated notes, books, journals, magazines, personal items, letters and cards, as well as CD\u2019s \u2013 stored in boxes (from several moves), drawers, and cupboards \u2013 the following notes reflect insights I have gained: Hoarding … Continue reading →","og_url":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/","og_site_name":"End-of-Life Reflections","article_modified_time":"2020-03-14T01:25:05+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_0901-768x1024.jpg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/","name":"End-of-Life Reflections","description":"Reflections on dying and death from a Buddhist view","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_0901-768x1024.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_0901-768x1024.jpg"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/#webpage","url":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/","name":"Lessons Learnt - End-of-Life Reflections","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/#primaryimage"},"datePublished":"2020-03-10T00:53:46+00:00","dateModified":"2020-03-14T01:25:05+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/lessons-learnt\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Lessons Learnt"}]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2068"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2068"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2068\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2128,"href":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2068\/revisions\/2128"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}