Spiritual Practice vs. Religion

Friends,

More than ever humankind needs the life of the spirit. When we look at the role of religion in the world we see little of the life of the spirit and too much that brings injury to human beings. It is important to understand the distinction between religion and spirituality, the difference between religious denominations and institutions on one hand, and on the other, the disciplines, traditions, and communities of spiritual practice.

Religion is based on belief and established patterns of moral law, philosophy, and absolute doctrinal truth claims. Religion is a closed system that reinforces separateness from the other. Spirituality is based on praxis and disciplines of attention and will. Spirituality is a discovery, learning mode of reaching into the unknown. Spiritual praxis, whether as an individual or in community, opens to ever deeper conscious communion or connection with the Ultimate and therefore with unitive relational life -alone, in community, and in Creation. Spiritual practice is an open system that seeks connection in unitive life with the other.

What does humankind need now?

Blessings to all,
Bill Ryan

Spiritual Ethos

Dear Friends,

The world continues to benefit from the spiritual ethos taught
by Thich Nhat Hanh. Too often religion has taught ethos as a
cosmic game of crime and punishment. Our Buddhist brother, "Thay,"
teaches us to approach life in the awakened state of mindfulness practice
so that we can bring forth our deepest intention of loving kindness.
The goal of life, of spiritual practice, is to be in harmony with the Ultimate,
our true dwelling place. This is true happiness.
Many blessings,
Bill Ryan

Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing

The First Mindfulness Training of the Order of Interbeing
Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are
determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or
ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding means to help us
learn to look deeply and to develop our understanding and compassion. They
are not doctrines to fight, kill, or die for.

The Second Mindfulness Training of the Order of Interbeing
Aware of the suffering created by attachment to views and wrong
perceptions, we are determined to avoid being narrow-minded and bound
to present views. We shall learn and practice non-attachment from views in
order to be open to others’ insights and experiences. We are aware that the
knowledge we presently possess is not changeless, absolute truth. Truth is found in life, and we will observe life within and around us in every moment, ready to learn throughout our lives.

The Third Mindfulness Training of the Order of Interbeing
Aware of the suffering brought about when we impose our views on others,
we are committed not to force others, even our children, by any means
whatsoever—such as authority, threat, money, propaganda, or
indoctrination—to adopt our views. We will respect the right of others to be
different and to choose what to believe and how to decide. We will, however, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness through compassionate dialogue.

The Fourth Mindfulness Training of the Order of Interbeing
Aware that looking deeply at the nature of suffering can help us develop
compassion and find ways out of suffering, we are determined not to avoid
or close our eyes before suffering. We are committed to finding ways,
including personal contact, images, and sounds, to be with those who suffer, so we can understand their situation deeply and help them transform their suffering into compassion, peace, and joy.

The Fifth Mindfulness Training of the Order of Interbeing
Aware that true happiness is rooted in peace, solidity, freedom, and
compassion, and not in wealth or fame, we are determined not to take as
the aim of our life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure, nor to
accumulate wealth while millions are hungry and dying. We are committed
to living simply and sharing our time, energy, and material resources with those in
need. We will practice mindful consuming, not using alcohol, drugs, or any other
products that bring toxins into our own and the collective body and consciousness.

The Sixth Mindfulness Training of the Order of Interbeing
Aware that anger blocks communication and creates suffering, we are
determined to take care of the energy of anger when it arises and to
recognize and transform the seeds of anger that lie deep in our
consciousness. When anger comes up, we are determined not to do or say
anything, but to practice mindful breathing or mindful walking and acknowledge,
embrace, and look deeply into our anger. We will learn to look with the eyes of
compassion at those we think are the cause of our anger.

The Seventh Mindfulness Training of the Order of Interbeing
Aware that life is available only in the present moment and that it is
possible to live happily in the here and now, we are committed to training
ourselves to live deeply each moment of daily life. We will try not to lose
ourselves in dispersion or be carried away by regrets about the past, worries
about the future, or craving, anger, or jealousy in the present. We will practice
mindful breathing to come back to what is happening in the present moment. We
are determined to learn the art of mindful living by touching the wondrous,
refreshing, and healing elements that are inside and around us, and by nourishing
seeds of joy, peace, love, and understanding in ourselves, thus facilitating the
work of transformation and healing in our consciousness.

The Eighth Mindfulness Training of the Order of Interbeing
Aware that the lack of communication always brings separation and
suffering, we are committed to training ourselves in the practice of
compassionate listening and loving speech. We will learn to listen deeply
without judging or reacting and refrain from uttering words that can create
discord or cause the community to break. We will make every effort to keep
communications open and to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.

The Ninth Mindfulness Training of the Order of Interbeing
Aware that words can create suffering or happiness, we are committed to
learning to speak truthfully and constructively, using only words that
inspire hope and confidence. We are determined not to say untruthful things for
the sake of personal interest or to impress people, nor to utter words that might
cause division or hatred. We will not spread news that we do not know to be
certain nor criticize or condemn things of which we are not sure. We will do our
best to speak out about situations of injustice, even when doing so may threaten
our safety.

The Tenth Mindfulness Training of the Order of Interbeing
Aware that the essence and aim of a Sangha is the practice of
understanding and compassion, we are determined not to use the Buddhist
community for personal gain or profit or transform our community into a
political instrument. A spiritual community should, however, take a clear stand
against oppression and injustice and should strive to change the situation without
engaging in partisan conflicts.

The Eleventh Mindfulness Training of the Order of Interbeing
Aware that great violence and injustice have been done to our environment
and society, we are committed not to live with a vocation that is harmful to
humans and nature. We will do our best to select a livelihood that helps realize
our ideal of understanding and compassion. Aware of global economic, political
and social realities, we will behave responsibly as consumers and as citizens, not
investing in companies that deprive others of their chance to live.

The Twelfth Mindfulness Training of the Order of Interbeing
Aware that much suffering is caused by war and conflict, we are
determined to cultivate nonviolence, understanding, and compassion in our
daily lives, to promote peace education, mindful mediation, and
reconciliation within families, communities, nations, and in the world. We
are determined not to kill and not to let others kill. We will diligently practice
deep looking with our Sangha to discover better ways to protect life and prevent
war.

The Thirteenth Mindfulness Training of the Order of Interbeing
Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and
oppression, we are committed to cultivating loving kindness and learning
ways to work for the well-being of people, animals, plants, and minerals.
We will practice generosity by sharing our time, energy, and material resources
with those who are in need. We are determined not to steal and not to possess
anything that should belong to others. We will respect the property of others, but
will try to prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of
other beings.



The Fourteenth Mindfulness Training of the Order of Interbeing
(For lay members): Aware that sexual relations motivated by craving
cannot dissipate the feeling of loneliness but will create more suffering,
frustration, and isolation, we are determined not to engage in sexual
relations without mutual understanding, love, and a long-term
commitment. In sexual relations, we must be aware of future suffering that may
be caused. We know that to preserve the happiness of ourselves and others, we
must respect the rights and commitments of ourselves and others. We will do
everything in our power to protect children from sexual abuse and to protect
couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct. We will treat our
bodies with respect and preserve our vital energies (sexual, breath, spirit) for the
realization of our bodhisattva ideal. We will be fully aware of the responsibility of
bringing new lives into the world, and will meditate on the world into which we
are bringing new beings.

(For monastic members): Aware that the aspiration of a monk or a nun
can only be realized when he or she wholly leaves behind the bonds of
worldly love, we are committed to practicing chastity and to helping others
protect themselves. We are aware that loneliness and suffering cannot be
alleviated by the coming together of two bodies in a sexual relationship, but by
the practice of true understanding and compassion. We know that a sexual
relationship will destroy our life as a monk or a nun, will prevent us from realizing
our ideal of serving living beings, and will harm others. We are determined not to
suppress or mistreat our body or to look upon our body as only an instrument,
but to learn to handle our body with respect. We are determined to preserve
vital energies (sexual, breath, spirit) for the realization of our bodhisattva ideal.