Today's Buddhist Practice:  Right Action

"Seeing the purity of one’s own actions the doer of good

continues to rejoice in both worlds." ~ The Buddha (Dhammapada 16) 

So far, you have started on the path in gaining wisdom (right view and thought) towards what is causing panic, fear, anxiety, etc.  Now, it is time to transform that into right conduct.  First, it is right action.  

Your behavior matters and needs to be aligned with the truth of the Buddha’s teachings.  Essentially, you should strive towards protecting life, being compassionate, and giving charity.  When uncertainty reigns, Mara thrives by making you not want to do any wholesome things!  To truly transform your actions (karma) to that of being wholesome, conduct is necessary and right action is part of that.

As you practice right action, and thus wholesome conduct, you will also be transforming yourself and others.  While Mara may still be strong in some people’s minds, you are planting seeds of kindness that may bloom later when ‘watered’ correctly.  Imagine if we all practiced right action?! 

Today's Focus: 

* Have I given charity today?  This is not just monetary!  Have you helped an elderly neighbor by dropping off supplies?  Have you donated to your Buddhist temple, a church, mosque, synagogue, homeless shelter, food bank, etc.?

* Have you protected live today?  Have you ensured you practiced good hygiene by not coughing into the open or your hands?  If able, have you donated blood?

* Have you been compassionate?  Have you given a kind thank you to a grocery store worker, or to the technician who fixed your internet?  

* Do not worry if the answer is “no” right now…you can always change your actions (karma)!

Today's Practice

* Continue to recite the Five Remembrances.  

* Continue to Meditate, at least once a day, starting with being mindful of the breath.  For today, add focusing on the suffering of others (and other things), and how you can help through right action.  Develop insight into how we are all interconnected, and not truly separate.  

* New Practice:  In what ways, in every moment of your day, can you protect life, be compassionate, and give charity?  When you are mindful of your circumstances, and that of others, you will find the opportunities to practice right action.  Remember, perform action with right thought.  Do not act on impulse or emotion, but instead with loving-kindness.

Learn more about the Eightfold Path:

https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/understanding-eightfold-path/

Video daily practice:

https://youtu.be/RaRJ-SRehag

Free 14 Day Buddhist Planner for Buddhists:  https://gum.co/BuddhistPlannerCOVID

View all 14 days on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/BxlqwF6P6GE

More on Alan Peto: https://alanpeto.com/about

More on Sanathavihari Bhikkhu: https://www.casadebhavana.com/