Listen to Dharma 

like you listening to the birds in the Pure Land. 

Ideally,  when we listen to talks on the Dharma, we set all tasks and distractions aside, sit down, and focus on the talks. But life is rarely ideal. If ever. With much to do at work and at home, and with distractions everywhere we turn, we rarely have optimal conditions to practice and learn.

How do we find and dedicate the time we want—and need—to do both?

We know that buddha-name chanting requires dedicated focused time. Our learning, however, can be more flexible. We can take a hint from those who listen to Dharma talks in the Pure Land. In that land, Amitabha Buddha has birds who sing the Dharma because he understands that even beings who manage to attain birth there will find it easier to periodically take a more relaxed approach to learning.

We can do the same. Integrate some of our learning into our daily tasks. Perhaps during our daily commute or when doing routine tasks. Wherever we find ourselves.

Being kind is not necessarily being gentle . . . (Click image for video)

When trying not to inconvenience ourselves,

 we need to be sure that we’re not inadvertently 

inconveniencing others. 

Preparing to drive a few hours to a monthly class I teach at a correctional center, I decided to get a coffee from our town’s very own, newly opened (Yes!) Starbucks store. Knowing two routes, I chose the faster and more convenient one for me.

Things went well until I hit the last red light.

I was in the single lane for cars going straight as well as for those turning right. Needing to go straight, I waited for a green light. As I drove through, I glanced in my rear-view mirror to see how many cars were turning right. They all were!

I was in the correct lane and following the traffic rules. At that intersection, even with a red light, drivers would have been able to turn right should there be no on-coming cars. I realized then that stopping at the red light prevented them from doing so. I was holding other people up.

In focusing on my own needs, I had inadvertently inconvenienced several people.