Cultivating Curiosity and Kindness

100 Days of Care Practice Blog

Aware of impulses (Day 38)

Oct 30, 2024

“Where would I find enough leather
To cover the entire surface of the earth?
But with leather soles beneath my feet,
It’s as if the whole world has been covered.”
― Shantideva

To walk an awakening path is to cultivate virtue or ‘good conduct’ — thoughts, words and actions that are ‘conducive to goodness.’ Goodness, not just externally evaluated, but goodness as in feels good, is aligned, whole or wholesome.

The traditional precepts (guidelines for conduct), developed during the time of the Buddha, are not to be understood as absolute rules. They aren’t meant to make us ‘nicer’ people, but are more like training wheels the Buddha suggested we can rely on to guide our practice while our mind is still unbalanced and clouded. We follow these guidelines in order to cultivate our alignment, and at least part of their value is in the context they provide for investigating results.

We align ourselves with what is wholesome so that the turbulence of the mind can subside and we can see more clearly how the mind is creating our experience.

 

How are you creating accountability for your 100 Days of Care? How do you maintain balance and energy? In what ways will you touch the lives of others on your journey?

Practice idea for self-discipline: when a strong feeling arises, drop the story that accompanies the feeling and drop into the body and breathe. Curb your reactivity with mindful restraint.

Accountability idea: take a photo of today’s journal page and send it to your accountability buddy, a friend or post it on Insta and tag @100.days.of.care

If you have enjoyed a freely offered class, event, blog post or recorded session, and are inspired to support our vision, our teachers and community, we deeply appreciate donations. Even a small donation makes a difference. 

You’re invited to practice with us weekly in person in Port Colborne, Ontario or live online on Zoom.

Insight Meditation, Wednesdays 7pm ET (90 mins), with Heather Fenton Start and/or maintain a regular meditation practice. Each week, guided meditations are combined with instructions for bringing mindfulness into daily living. This meditation class is offered freely.

Book now! or email us at hello@gentlydownthestream.org if you’d like more info.

Sustaining the 100 Days Journey

Thursdays 8pm (60 mins), sessions starting Jan 16/25, ONLINE ONLY, with Heather Fenton

Sustain an ongoing practice of daily self-compassion and lovingkindness with these supportive weekly sessions. These weekly 1-hour gatherings offer ongoing support, encouragement and an opportunity to connect with others who are practicing.

Join us occasionally or come every week. We will meditate and then discuss our practice in group or small groups.

Offered freely, by donation. Online only (Zoom).

Please pre-book HERE for Zoom link and so that we know you are coming. Email hello@gentlydownthestream.org with questions or help with booking.