Jessica Davidson's Blog, page 37

Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Pass the Buck

Don’t Pass the Buck is about taking responsibility for the commitments you have made to yourself and others, and not passing the buck onto somebody else. The original lojong slogan is: Don’t transfer the ox’s load to the cow, in other words, don’t transfer your load onto others. It’s written like this because the ox… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Pass the Buck

Active Hope and the Power of Community

Last time we looked at our need to develop a new kind of power that brings people together rather than putting them in conflict. This is especially important now because we’re suffering from an epidemic of loneliness, if you believe the internet. Many are keen to blame social networking, but it might not be that… Continue reading Active Hope and the Power of Community

Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Make Things Painful

Don’t Make Things Painful is about not making a bad situation worse by dwelling on it in a negative way. Molehills don’t have to be mountains in your mind. The original lojong slogan is: Don’t bring things to a painful point, and follows naturally from the previous one about not holding a grudge. Everybody worries… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Make Things Painful

Active Hope and a New Kind of Power

Last time we looked at expanding the self and how we’re all connected in a vast web of life. Unfortunately, many people don’t feel that connection because they’re locked inside their own little ego bubble. This has dire consequences for society and creates a lot of conflict. When you feel like you’re alone against the… Continue reading Active Hope and a New Kind of Power

Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Wait in Ambush

Don’t Wait in Ambush is about not holding a grudge or seeking revenge when somebody has hurt you. When you hold a grudge others have more control over your own mind than you do. The original lojong slogan is the same and is related to the previous one: Don’t be mean. When you wait in… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Wait in Ambush

Active Hope and Expanding the Sense of Self

Last time we looked at the transformation of pain into healing and how it reminds us that we need each other. One of the problems with pain is that it can make you withdraw into yourself. But this just makes the pain worse because now you feel isolated too, and that messes with your head… Continue reading Active Hope and Expanding the Sense of Self

Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Be Mean

Don’t Be Mean is about not being nasty about other people, either to their face or behind their back. Words can hurt just as much as sticks and stones. The original lojong slogan is: Don’t malign others, which is a noble idea, but not easy to live up to. It’s no good pretending to be… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Be Mean

Active Hope and the Healing Power of Transforming Pain

Last time we looked at the benefits of gratitude, and if you’ve been practising you should be feeling warm and fuzzy by now. Which is a good thing because in this post we delve into the realm of pain. Nobody likes it. Everybody experiences it. So it’s about time we got to grips with it.… Continue reading Active Hope and the Healing Power of Transforming Pain

Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Be Predictable

Don’t Be Predictable is about breaking out of your bad habits so you don’t react automatically in the same way all the time. The original lojong slogan is more or less the same: Don’t be so predictable. Some of our habits are helpful, but others can become straightjackets. When you do things the same way,… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Be Predictable

Active Hope and the Benefits of Gratitude

Last time we looked at the spiral of transformation and how we can become more resilient during a crisis. It may be surprising, but this process always begins with gratitude. In fact, if the news and miscellaneous madness of the world is getting you down, this is one guaranteed way to cheer yourself up. Gratitude… Continue reading Active Hope and the Benefits of Gratitude