Wake Up Earth 2018 08 16 | Aspiration, Passion & Free Will | by Br. Phap Dung

What is our reason of being, raison d’être, our passion or aspiration? Is it to be free? Is freewill the same thing? Volition is a source of energy that makes us want to wake up and keep going in life. We need to have a clear and still mind in order to see what our volition is without being brainwashed or following the crowd. There are two aspects to volition:
1. Daily concerns and needs like shelter, food, clothing, etc
2. Ultimate concern makes us thrive, like the sunflower grows towards the sun. Society may tell you that you have to be rich, be famous and have great success, but is it really what you want in your heart? Like the sunflower, our volition is organic, and will keep evolving and transforming. It is the same with our commitments and relationships, we need to keep them alive and not to expect them to remain the same as the start.
We need to be careful about our passions because it can burn up a lot of our energy, especially when it pulls us to satisfy sensual pleasures and avoid pain with busy-ness. Other ways that we can lose energy is when we ignore the goodness of our pain and suffering because it can help us to be more aware and careful, more humble. When we ignore the dangers of seeking pleasure, which leads to desire, lust, craving, addiction, perversion, it can leak away our energy. Pleasure seeking is not just sensual/sexual but the craving for power, pride to feed our ego. If we do not understand our mind, we can be controlled by consumerism and lose our freewill. We can try out a life in moderation, living simply can bring a lot of happiness and protect our respect. The drive to have more relationships, more success, more of this and that is not necessarily good for us. Try not to satisfy completely our urge to be the best, taste the happiness of not being at the top of the mountain because it can become a prison. One of the hardest thing to do is to let go of being right.
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[@ConexionHumanaOficial]

Thank you so much Br, Phap Dung, You're amazing teacher. You help me a lot. Lotus for you. Evangelina Cortes.

[@stareeagle]

I love your peaceful, yet humorous and easy-going energy. I enjoy listening to your talk. Thank you!

[@HuyNguyen-ik9qe]

I have watched a few of Brother Phap Dung's DT, so relaxing yet insightful. I thank you for passing on the wonderful teachings.

[@heyhon3607]

Thank you Brother Phap Dung. I always enjoy and get so much from your Dharma talks.

[@anillets43]

Being there and listening to your talk was such a precious opportunity, and now back home watching it again, I appreciate your teachings more 🌻🌻🌻 Endless thanks to Thay Phap Dung 🙏

[@juliireed7119]

wonderful talk full of humor and insight! thank you :-)

[@jettkeyser9909]

Livng in Oregon...loving it...yet...missing Deer Park...

[@lavadajunerobertsroberts7772]

Inspired!!!

[@Constantinului]

thank you, brother !

[@vegansaxon3962]

Last time I went to a party was 2 years ago and I got arrested..before that it had been 20 years since I was at a party..I think I will stay away from the party scene and alcohol...I like staying at home and enjoying the wind in the trees and birds singing to me...they never call the cops and I stay free.

[@christyxy702]

I laughed so much listening to this talk. 😂

[@LeonGalindoStenutz]

Always so appreciative of the lightness and humor :) Buckle up those seatbelts; ope up that 3rd eye ;)