Jessica Davidson's Blog, page 37

Active Hope and How You Can Change the World (Yes, You!)

Last time we looked at how to imagine different futures, so now we need to bring it down to earth and actually put some of these ideas into practice. There’s no point reading a book like Active Hope and then not doing anything – the clue is in the title, after all! When Saturn moved… Continue reading Active Hope and How You Can Change the World (Yes, You!)

Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Be Sneaky

Don’t Be Sneaky is about being honest with yourself about your real motives and not doing things just to get something out of it for yourself. The original lojong slogan is: Don’t act with a twist. When you act with a twist you have an ulterior motive. The ego does this because it feels insecure… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Be Sneaky

Active Hope and Imagining a New Future

In the last post we looked at time and our need to slow down and be more present. This is especially important if we want to create a more positive future for ourselves. When you step into the eternal Now, you tap into a larger perspective of reality that helps you to get more done.… Continue reading Active Hope and Imagining a New Future

Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Compete With Others

Don’t Compete With Others is about remembering that life isn’t a race. You don’t have to be the first or the best, and you don’t have to compete to win. The original lojong slogan is: Don’t try to be the fastest. Life seems to be getting faster and faster every day. Competitiveness is built-in to… Continue reading Buddhist Writing Prompt: Don’t Compete With Others

Active Hope and How to Travel in Time

Last time we looked at loneliness and the power of community and our need to reconnect with each other. One of the things that makes that more difficult is our relationship to time. It seems to move faster each year and we’re so focused on getting a million things done that we don’t have time… Continue reading Active Hope and How to Travel in Time

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