🧡 If you find benefit in my videos, consider supporting the channel by joining us on Patreon and get fun extras like exclusive videos, ad-free audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: www.patreon.com/dougsseculardharma 🙂
1. Improve baseline stress 2. Improve acute stress 3. Baseline behavior: Do we harm others? 4. Deeper behavior: Do we benefit others? 5. What is the character of our thoughts? 6. Quality of our anger or greed (e.g. decaying faster) Overall: Retaining equanimity
I really like the shift in your content Doug. This is wonderful insight. How to gage progress was actually something I was thinking about recently. I like how easy it is to apply these guidelines to my spiritual life. Thanks Doug.
For me I find this list accurately represents my (limited) experience. Personally, point 5, the kind of thoughts, is particularly noticable. Practice has caused me to spend much less energy on many thoughts that do not add. And this has made more energy available for (at least) two kinds of things: 1. I can consider wise mindsets such as the practice of gratitude. 2. I am employing my mind to much more profound ways of thinking. These are currently just hobby projects on ideas, but if these hobby projects pan out, I might have a significant impact on the communities within which the ideas are valued.
I've just come to my practice in the last 18 months and becauce of COVID, I haven't been able to meet with other Buddhists or attend a retreat. Your lectures in general - and this one in particular - are a real help with advancing my understand and improving my meditation. I'm going to Patreon to join up now. Thank you
Just want to say thank you Doug for all the wisdom that you share. Have made it a daily routine to watch at least one of your videos. Much love and happy Vesak! 🙏
Hey Doug, for what it's worth, I was so pleased to see your intro is back in this video :). I know it's a small change but I love it. Thanks again for the fantastic content, and for paying attention to this lonely voice in the comments. For me, that's what sets you apart from so many of the other channels with similar content and what keeps me coming back. All the best!
Yes, thanks Jeanluc! For what it's worth I'm playing with the intro, leaving it in sometimes, and taking it out other times. I think it might help people to hear it better if it's not always there. 😄
I wrestle with trying to be actually compassionate, rather than fake, or kidding myself, or as a "conceit" as you have articulated it in other videos, and subtle source of pride.
I dont know if a teacher would necessarily help in my progression ..Ive never even met another Buddhist, especially not here in North Georgia. But through reading, and TH-cam channels like this one, my life has been substantially gotten better. I still have want, and I still have compulsions, and I still get frustrated at times. I just look at everything so different now, I dont look at a problem as a problem, I look at a problem as a symptom. Im no longer spending my day being a victim of the world (why this, why that, only happens to me, etc). I guess Im not looking for signs of progress as much as I am looking for understanding of the world.
Thank you for all your videos, they are very helpful. I think, that the internet is a really good tool to gain knowledge about Buddhism. When this is said, I have not been able to find a personal Buddhist teacher. The internet is full of Buddhist teachers, who teaches the crowds through videos. People can ask questions, which are being answered to the crowds, and all this is good. But I feel, that some of my questions are too personal or maybe not suited for public answering, so it could be great, if some teachers offered private question answering. But it’s a money issue, I know. It could be filling out a gab for me. A teacher, I could ask Buddhist questions knowing, that it is not going public. Just my thoughts. If anyone knows of a personal Buddhist teacher online, please let me know. Once again thank you for all your videos 👌😊🙏
You're very welcome Rumlee. It's hard to recommend a teacher for someone else, and I think most teachers should be seen in person since there is a whole lot one can understand with a personal visit that one cannot over the Internet.
Most teachers will tell you to sit more, sit every day. This can answer most questions. But consider this: It used to be that these teachings were ONLY available through a few books which could ONLY be found at some bookstores. And there were much fewer teachers available. Yet somehow people advanced their practice or found their way to a Zen center. Now look, the wealth of teachings on TH-cam is ridiculous, and you can even find live meditation groups.
Hi Doug, first of all, let me thank you for this great channel you created. I started learning about budhism a few weeks ago and I find your work very helpful. I would like to ask a question concerning the fourth aspect. Concerning "helping others": I totally agree that "helping others" benefits ourself in the same way as the help benefits others. But sometimes I realize that people exploit others that tend to help a lot. Would you agree that avoiding those exploiting people is considered to be okay or would you still call it egoistic in some way? When I consider the noble eightful path, "speaking right" would give the advice to address that feeling of being exploited but that might hurt others. If you have read all of this, thanks a lot for doing so! Have a great day!
You're very welcome Sven! Yes, you're right about that: in order to help others effectively one also has to help oneself, which means not being taken advantage of. It's not wrong speech to call out exploitation when it happens, so long as it's done with the right mindset, at the right time and place.
How can I reduce stress if I have OCD? I feel threatened by thoughts, intrusive thoughts cause great anxiety. Is mindfulness enough to overcome this? I have been practicing meditation since 3 years, and this intrusive thoughts are the only thing that stress me a lot, worldly things not so much
If you have diagnosed OCD you may want to talk with a professional psychologist to treat it alongside your meditation practice. That said, all meditators except perhaps enlightened ones experience intrusive thoughts during meditation. There's no reason to stress over them, just observe them and let them pass.
Hey Doug just curious how you feel about sexual cleansing on the path to enlightenment I kinda figure it goes more into separating your self from sensual pleasure but I'm just curious how you feel about all that and wether or not there is any true benefits
Yes, and at the end of the path is enligmenth. And this road which we progress, this path, is called the eightfold path. Surely the person you were Before becoming a buddhist was a less skillful buddhist practioner than you now which has more knowlodge and exprience
The notion of "wanting to gauge one's progress" smacks of a Western (American?) form of comparing, measuring and grasping mind, and sits uncomfortably with me. Buddha Dhamma is not rocket science, and one knows (if you have any feeling for the parctice at all), how and why, you are missing the mark.
Imagine how these messages may help the USA to heal after 4 years of absolute tumultuous assault by certain political party that is still continuing. Only if these message may reach those folks who are full of and blinded by their hatred.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 89 | คู่เอก "ยอดไอคิว vs คิริลล์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z3vYkHJ_5Ig/mqdefault.jpg)
🧡 If you find benefit in my videos, consider supporting the channel by joining us on Patreon and get fun extras like exclusive videos, ad-free audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: www.patreon.com/dougsseculardharma 🙂
1. Improve baseline stress
2. Improve acute stress
3. Baseline behavior: Do we harm others?
4. Deeper behavior: Do we benefit others?
5. What is the character of our thoughts?
6. Quality of our anger or greed (e.g. decaying faster)
Overall: Retaining equanimity
I like the New thumbnail style doug!
Thanks! Trying some new things, mixing it up a bit. 😄
I really like the shift in your content Doug. This is wonderful insight. How to gage progress was actually something I was thinking about recently. I like how easy it is to apply these guidelines to my spiritual life. Thanks Doug.
You're very welcome, glad you found it useful!
one of my best favorite channel this is a must watch channel
Thank you! 🙏😊
For me I find this list accurately represents my (limited) experience.
Personally, point 5, the kind of thoughts, is particularly noticable. Practice has caused me to spend much less energy on many thoughts that do not add. And this has made more energy available for (at least) two kinds of things:
1. I can consider wise mindsets such as the practice of gratitude.
2. I am employing my mind to much more profound ways of thinking. These are currently just hobby projects on ideas, but if these hobby projects pan out, I might have a significant impact on the communities within which the ideas are valued.
That's great to hear Krasbin, yes by spending less energy on unskillful thoughts we have more energy for accomplishing better things.
Very helpful, you helped me to learn about buddhism which changed my life for the better
That's great to hear Robert!
I've just come to my practice in the last 18 months and becauce of COVID, I haven't been able to meet with other Buddhists or attend a retreat. Your lectures in general - and this one in particular - are a real help with advancing my understand and improving my meditation. I'm going to Patreon to join up now. Thank you
Thanks so much Michael, that's very kind of you. 🙏
Just want to say thank you Doug for all the wisdom that you share. Have made it a daily routine to watch at least one of your videos. Much love and happy Vesak! 🙏
You're very welcome Mark, thanks for watching and happy Vesak to you as well!
Hey Doug, for what it's worth, I was so pleased to see your intro is back in this video :). I know it's a small change but I love it. Thanks again for the fantastic content, and for paying attention to this lonely voice in the comments. For me, that's what sets you apart from so many of the other channels with similar content and what keeps me coming back. All the best!
Yes, thanks Jeanluc! For what it's worth I'm playing with the intro, leaving it in sometimes, and taking it out other times. I think it might help people to hear it better if it's not always there. 😄
I wrestle with trying to be actually compassionate, rather than fake, or kidding myself, or as a "conceit" as you have articulated it in other videos, and subtle source of pride.
Yes, it isn't always easy!
I didn't realize how much I needed this, and I am so grateful to be able to be a patron for you on Patreon! Thank you so much! You made my day! 😊
Great, thanks Shannan!
Great advice. Rahula was given similar Teachings in a sutta.
Yes I think so.
Sadhu sadhu
Thank you!
You're very welcome!
I dont know if a teacher would necessarily help in my progression ..Ive never even met another Buddhist, especially not here in North Georgia. But through reading, and TH-cam channels like this one, my life has been substantially gotten better. I still have want, and I still have compulsions, and I still get frustrated at times. I just look at everything so different now, I dont look at a problem as a problem, I look at a problem as a symptom. Im no longer spending my day being a victim of the world (why this, why that, only happens to me, etc). I guess Im not looking for signs of progress as much as I am looking for understanding of the world.
Yes, understanding the world wisely can help us to overcome problems. 🙏
Thank you for all your videos, they are very helpful. I think, that the internet is a really good tool to gain knowledge about Buddhism. When this is said, I have not been able to find a personal Buddhist teacher. The internet is full of Buddhist teachers, who teaches the crowds through videos. People can ask questions, which are being answered to the crowds, and all this is good. But I feel, that some of my questions are too personal or maybe not suited for public answering, so it could be great, if some teachers offered private question answering. But it’s a money issue, I know. It could be filling out a gab for me. A teacher, I could ask Buddhist questions knowing, that it is not going public. Just my thoughts. If anyone knows of a personal Buddhist teacher online, please let me know. Once again thank you for all your videos 👌😊🙏
You're very welcome Rumlee. It's hard to recommend a teacher for someone else, and I think most teachers should be seen in person since there is a whole lot one can understand with a personal visit that one cannot over the Internet.
Most teachers will tell you to sit more, sit every day. This can answer most questions. But consider this: It used to be that these teachings were ONLY available through a few books which could ONLY be found at some bookstores. And there were much fewer teachers available. Yet somehow people advanced their practice or found their way to a Zen center. Now look, the wealth of teachings on TH-cam is ridiculous, and you can even find live meditation groups.
thank you for your explaination on this topic. this is also important incase of being coexistence in the society.
That's right, it helps us live together with others. 🙂
Excellent content. Thank you so much!
You're very welcome Susan!
Hi Doug,
first of all, let me thank you for this great channel you created. I started learning about budhism a few weeks ago and I find your work very helpful.
I would like to ask a question concerning the fourth aspect. Concerning "helping others": I totally agree that "helping others" benefits ourself in the same way as the help benefits others. But sometimes I realize that people exploit others that tend to help a lot. Would you agree that avoiding those exploiting people is considered to be okay or would you still call it egoistic in some way? When I consider the noble eightful path, "speaking right" would give the advice to address that feeling of being exploited but that might hurt others.
If you have read all of this, thanks a lot for doing so!
Have a great day!
You're very welcome Sven! Yes, you're right about that: in order to help others effectively one also has to help oneself, which means not being taken advantage of. It's not wrong speech to call out exploitation when it happens, so long as it's done with the right mindset, at the right time and place.
@@DougsDharma Thanks a lot for your response. This was indeed very helpful!
This was very helpful, thank you
You're very welcome Rick, thanks for the comment!
Great vid!
Thanks Bernardo!
This guy is the Mr Rogers of Buddhism
🤣 Oh I could never equal Mr. Rogers!
How can I reduce stress if I have OCD? I feel threatened by thoughts, intrusive thoughts cause great anxiety. Is mindfulness enough to overcome this? I have been practicing meditation since 3 years, and this intrusive thoughts are the only thing that stress me a lot, worldly things not so much
If you have diagnosed OCD you may want to talk with a professional psychologist to treat it alongside your meditation practice. That said, all meditators except perhaps enlightened ones experience intrusive thoughts during meditation. There's no reason to stress over them, just observe them and let them pass.
Becoming one's own teacher is a hard practice
Yes I suppose it is!
Sometimes you have no option but to be your own teacher. I call it DIY Dhamma.
Great video Doug. Is that a Pali Canon I see in the background there? If so, where did you acquire it?
Yes, I have links to the books in the show notes to this video: th-cam.com/video/YIcnCqOALPs/w-d-xo.html
Please Make the Video Best Buddhism Book
I have a playlist on Buddhism books that includes many of my favorites: th-cam.com/play/PL0akoU_OszRjBKHxKj98qtSmcLpBmDWkL.html
Ever tried dzogchen, video with all the different types of meditation (or main3) would be interesting
I have videos on the main types of meditation found in early Buddhism, though not on later techniques. Maybe eventually I will do more!
Sir, would you please describe the exact difference between metta(loving kindness) and karuna(compassion).
Yes I have a playlist on the Brahmaviharas that discusses them: th-cam.com/play/PL0akoU_OszRi-PrNLubfI0LVwkjXbZ-c7.html
❤
🙏😊
🙏
🙏🙂
I'm Indian Navayan Buddhist
Thanks for letting us know Aditya! 🙏
Hey Doug just curious how you feel about sexual cleansing on the path to enlightenment I kinda figure it goes more into separating your self from sensual pleasure but I'm just curious how you feel about all that and wether or not there is any true benefits
Not sure what that is ...
Dhamm
🙏
Top 5 Best Buddhism Book
Is Buddhism really something that you can progress in? I don’t believe so personally
Yes, and at the end of the path is enligmenth. And this road which we progress, this path, is called the eightfold path. Surely the person you were Before becoming a buddhist was a less skillful buddhist practioner than you now which has more knowlodge and exprience
The notion of "wanting to gauge one's progress" smacks of a Western (American?) form of comparing, measuring and grasping mind, and sits uncomfortably with me. Buddha Dhamma is not rocket science, and one knows (if you have any feeling for the parctice at all), how and why, you are missing the mark.
The only way to answer this for yourself is to try and see! But keep in mind it's supposed to be a gradual path.
There is no progress, yet no end of practice.
🐱🙏🏻
🙏🙂
Imagine how these messages may help the USA to heal after 4 years of absolute tumultuous assault by certain political party that is still continuing. Only if these message may reach those folks who are full of and blinded by their hatred.
We can hope. 🙏