Daily Dharma 06: Eat Mindfully
July 5, 2008 by ScottyDoo
Filed under Daily Dharma
(Guest post by David from DailyDharma.net)
Day 6: Eat Mindfully.
“Know you that your bowl of rice, each grain from hardship comes?” — Cheng Chan-Pao, Chinese philosopher
Food sustains us, and connects us to the Earth. Let us not eat more than we need, nor eat ungratefully. Let us savor each bite as if it were the only morsel of the day.
Photo by Smaku
Today, Eat Your Meals Slowly, and With Purpose.
In our frenzied Western lives, food often becomes an afterthought, and we find ourselves grabbing junk food on the run from one place to the next. For some, food becomes more than sustenance – it becomes a crutch to alleviate daily suffering. Such habits can beget poor nutrition, low energy levels, and obesity.
Daily Dharma 05: Renounce Your Possessions
June 24, 2008 by ScottyDoo
Filed under Daily Dharma
(Guest post by David from DailyDharma.net)
Day 5: Renounce Your Possessions.
“There are only two kinds of freedom in the world; the freedom of the rich and powerful, and the freedom of the artist and the monk who renounces possessions.” — Anais Nin
Have you every known somebody who seems to have everything most people dream about, yet they are still unsatisfied and unhappy? While marketers spend billions to trick consumers into thinking the latest trinkets will make us happy, the exact opposite is true. That’s because the more we own, the less free we become.
Photo by Mr. Atrocity
Today, Don’t Buy Anything.
Not only can our possessions trap us into a false sense of success or happiness, snapping up things we will soon forget about is wasteful. By going one day without adding to our stockpile of “things”, we remind ourselves how silly it is to place so much value on our possessions.
Daily Dharma 04: Do One Thing At A Time
June 23, 2008 by ScottyDoo
Filed under Daily Dharma
(Guest post by David from DailyDharma.net)
Day 4:Do One Thing At A Time
“There is no royal road to anything. One thing at a time, all things in succession. That which grows fast, withers as rapidly. That which grows slowly, endures.” — Josiah Gilbert Holland
Do you multitask? These days it is hard to avoid doing two, three, or even five things at once. Multitasking is the antithesis of mindful action, however, and multitasking can actually make you more stressed and less productive than if you focus on doing one thing at a time.
Photo by camincoll
Today, Do One Thing At A Time.
Here are eight ways to learn to “solo-task”.
Daily Dharma 03: Be Content
June 16, 2008 by ScottyDoo
Filed under Daily Dharma
(Guest post by David from DailyDharma.net)
Day 3: Be Content
“Be content with what you are, and wish not change; nor dread your last day, nor long for it.” — Marcus Aurelius
As I start to work on Daily Dharma, I want to stress what this blog is not: It is not another personal development blog. Personal development is for people who want to make themselves better. This blog is for people who want to experience life better.
Can you see the difference?
Photo by eyeore2710.
Today, Be Content With Who You Are and What You Have.
You see, I believe personal development too often stresses all of these things we do not have: the perfect body, unlimited wealth, a perfect relationship, infallible will power, etc.
Daily Dharma 02: Do Good Work
May 31, 2008 by ScottyDoo
Filed under Daily Dharma
(Guest post by David from DailyDharma.net)
Day 2: Do Good Work.
“Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.” – Garrison Keillor
So many of my friends come to me from time to time and say, “I’m just so unhappy at work.” I understand. I sympathize with them, because at times I have been very unhappy with my job, too. But in order to lead a happy life, an unavoidable step is to put your soul into the work you do — even if it means learning to love an unlovable job.
Photo by Daquella Manera.
Today, Do the Best Job You Can
I used to commiserate with them, tell them I disliked my work too, discussed the possibility we had not found our callings, and fantasized with them about quitting.
Daily Dharma 01: Be Present. Live Here and Now
May 23, 2008 by ScottyDoo
Filed under Daily Dharma
(Guest post by David from DailyDharma.net)
Day 1: Be Present. Live Here and Now.
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” – Buddha
How can we can we be conscious, enjoy living, or accomplish anything, if we are not aware of where we are, who we are, and what we are doing right now?
Photo by Stuck in Customs
Today, practice being present.
Focus your mind on your actions, whether you are brushing your teeth, eating a sandwich, or hard at work, and avoid daydreaming.
If you are driving to work, simply drive. Do not worry about Monday’s meeting, about last night’s fight with a loved one, or about what another driver is doing behind you. If you are breathing, simply breathe. Notice each breath coming in and going out. Feel the air that sustains you entering your lungs. If you are sitting, simply sit. Pull your mind back to right now. Notice your surroundings. Notice your feelings. Notice your suffering. Notice, but do not worry. Just be.
