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Dear Ones,
After all the years walking side by side with students and friends, the subject of honesty continues to appear. In today's Newsletter, the theme of the poem is about honesty being one of the root causes that must be faced with truthfulness, integrity and courage. The Buddha placed "no lying" as the second of the Five Basic Precepts: no killing, no lying, no stealing, no sexual misconduct and no intoxicants. Among these first five, truthfulness, is not a rule, but a choice- an conscious action and a quality of awareness. It matures over time, depending on the persons state of presence and authenticity as they walk the path of self transformation. Even in the Buddha’s time- and long before him-, the journey wasn’t easy. And today, when it is so tempting to seek comfort, quick results, and praise, it is no easier. Yet, honesty and transparency remain the keystone, the foundation that holds the luminous path together and leads toward liberation. Let us take a moment to reflect and meditate on this journey to the heart, together. A Journey To The Heart An authentic journey of self-discovery begins with a single step. Not out there, Not somewhere else, But a return To our very own heart. Remember who you are, dear one! The mind will try to deny, To change the story, To shuffle the cards And let the ego play the game. But to some out there, Even silence, Speaks- And the unspoken words Are banners, Flying high In the winds of delusion. The path is long, Toward Dharma, Toward truth, Toward the living taste of liberation. You may appear meek, Humble, To the eyes of the world, Yet within, A fire of greed and aversion May still rage, Burning everything Unprocessed it touches. Until self-delusion is met, Eye to eye, Not with judgement, But with honesty- You will not see That the only one You have betrayed All these years, Was Yourself. Only unified, One returns to the heart. ~Ven. Bao Co
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