Episode 69 - The Magical Practice of Taking and Giving

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The ancient meditation known as the ‘the magical practice of taking and giving’ is a profound method to:</span></p> <p> </p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">transform our suffering into a tool to help others</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">purify our negative karma</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">make our mind strong and resilient </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">develop universal compassion</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">eventually attain enlightenment</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this episode, we learn how to do this practice formally, seated, as well as in daily life. This practice can be done with our eyes open, whenever we see someone suffering. It can help us make our own suffering meaningful and easier to bear, and even purify the karmic causes of it. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Practicing what one shouldn’t, </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not practicing what one should, </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Having abandoned the goal, </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Clinging to what is dear, </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One comes to envy those who practice. (209)*</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">—Buddha, The Dhammapada</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">References</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Buddha.</span> <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Dhammapada-Translation-Buddhist-Classic-Annotations-ebook/dp/B00CS5KMBM/ref=sr_1_5?crid=6ONDCWJARBIM&keywords=the+dhammapada&qid=1578272346&sprefix=The+Dhammapda%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-5"> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Dhammapada,</span></em></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">translated by Gil Fronsdale. (2011). Shambala, pp. 56.</span></p> <p> </p