MycoolFitz

I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.

- William Penn

Fernaceman

Fine message as always, Fitz.

IndaMiricale

Right on fitz..

To live today and to be kind..

sugarbear1

ever read The Prayer of St Francis?

MycoolFitz

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.


O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

And remember I am an Agonstib Buddhist but bottom line the message is the same

MycoolFitz

Metta Karuna Prayer



O Amida,
Oneness of Life and Light,
Entrusting in your Great Compassion,
May you shed the foolishness in myself,
Transforming me into a conduit of Love.
May I be a medicine for the sick and weary,
Nursing their afflictions until they are cured;
May I become food and drink,

During time of famine,
May I protect the helpless and the poor,
May I be a lamp,

For those who need your Light,
May I be a bed for those who need rest,
and guide all seekers to the Other Shore.
May all find happiness through my actions,
and let no one suffer because of me.
Whether they love or hate me,
Whether they hurt or wrong me,
May they all obtain true entrusting,
Through Other Power,
and realize Supreme Nirvana.
**** Amida Buddha

legna

Hello Fitz, I have enjoyed your posts but have yet to tell you so...thank you.

In the last two posts of yours that I have read, they mention kindness. I am in agreement that kindness is a worthy goal but as a fellow Buddhist, please let me ask:

How do you solve the dilemma of understanding what kindness is?

For instance, many of us have enabled an addict or alcoholic in our lives by acts of what we determined were kindness but in fact simply allowed the addict or alcoholic to continue using. Knowing that I acted with good intentions at the time but have since learned that I was not helping and in fact may have made the situation worse certainly has humbled me and gives me pause when I think I know what kindness would be in the next situation.

I am not sure that this is clear but I would be interested in your thoughts if you can understand my point. Thank you.

MycoolFitz

I am not sure. I take it case by case. To those on the street I give out food not money. To those actively using I offer to take them to AA or work on getting them into a treatment program. Lots of times I just sit and listen to their stories. To those heavy into ******** I say that sounds like ******** to me. For those on the street young and healthy with a dog and a sign I give some dog food. I belong to the school of Buddhism known as Don't Know Any ideas you have are most welcome.

legna

We behave similarly when I do act, though I often simply observe and choose not to act. The older I get and the more I practice, the less answers I have. Hopefully, I shall live long enough to see the day come when I know nothing.

MycoolFitz

Well I am 66 and know nothing but still act. I am not a potted plant.

legna

The prognosis for me reaching 66 years old is not good, but I do the best I can with the time I have left. I often tell myself, "Don't just do something; sit there."

MycoolFitz

Well I hope you make it. I was near death 5 years ago and somehow pulled through. Do the best and be the best you can be in whatevertime you have and all my love.

Thích Nhất Hạnh (/ˈtɪk ˈnjʌt ˈhʌn/; Vietnamese: [tʰǐk ɲɜ̌t hɐ̂ʔɲ] ( listen); born October 11, 1926) is a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist. He lives in the Plum Village Monastery in the Dordogne region in the South of France,[1] travelling internationally to give retreats and talks. He coined the term Engaged Buddhism in his book Vietnam: Lotus in a Sea of Fire.[2] A long-term exile, he was given permission to make his first return trip to Vietnam in 2005.[3]

Nhất Hạnh has published more than 100 books, including more than 40 in English. Nhat Hanh is active in the peace movement, promoting non-violent solutions to conflict.[4

legna

A favorite author of mine - a dog eared copy of Peace is Every Step is within sight of my desk at the moment. No Death, No Fear is another favorite of mine.

I wish you all the best and will continue to read your posts with interest. Peace.

MycoolFitz

Yes I have mine dog eared too My most dog eared is When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron

MycoolFitz

Food Bank Northern Nevada
Help the Hungry in Northern Nevada. Every $1 Donated Provides 4 Meals.
Home - Food Bank of Northern NV

Read more: How to Provide Christmas for a Needy Family | eHow.com How to Provide Christmas for a Needy Family | eHow.com

chicory

thanks for these links. i love that there are a lot of good groups helping others. sad that so many need the help.

MycoolFitz

Funny though my rural grandma who had nothing always prided herself by saying she was never on county. I lived a year homeless after the nam era, not so good, I would take what I could get anyway I could get it. It is just payback time now. If my ex gets the house foreclosed it can be tough but gifts of the heart are free.