Do not follow a low way of living,
do not cultivate wrong understanding about life,
do not live without awareness.
Make your goal freedom from unhappiness.
Dhammapada Vs 167
Dhamma and daily life.
If we consider ourselves to be disciples of Dhamma, our practice has to be a living thing in our daily lives, at least, as much as possible.
However, the demands of the world and the stressful situations it can present, may often feel overwhelming.
It is after these moments, when we possibly feel that we have failed the personal ideals we have set for ourselves, that we must remember our loving kindness and compassion for ourselves.
As my teacher would say to me if I complained about some perceived poor behavior on my part, ‘don’t carry it with you. Learn from it and try to be more mindful in similar situations.´
Until Awakening, the world and all it contains seems very real and so we can often feel pulled into situations that do not sit well in our heart, and it is in these very moments, we need to remind ourselves of the reality of the moment.
‘Nothing is the way it appears to be, nor is it different.’
If our ideal is to live as Dhamma disciples in the world, we must be prepared to fail, at least occasionally.
The Buddha used old age, sickness and death as his teachers, and everything else that would manifest in his ordinary life, and it is in our own ordinary life, whether at home or at work, where we will find the road to our own liberation.
May all beings be happy.
*******
Teachings
Summer retreat
29th June to 8th July
Kuckucksnest
Details: PureDhamma team
Autumn retreat
October 2026: 8th to 11th
Kuckucksnest
Details: PureDhamma team
This is the final weekend retreat with Michael and Pure Dhamma
*******
Koan:
I am turning on the light, where does the darkness go?
Quotation:
There is no truth outside yourself, and nowhere to find it other than within yourself.
From ‘Dhamma in your pocket’ by Michael Kewley.
*******
Follow Michael on facebook
Next Pure Dhamma Newsletter, July 2026
To unsubscribe from the newsletter,
please send an e-mail to dhammateacher