Singing birds help you learn at the Pure Land.

Why not create that relaxed environment here?

Ideally, when we listen to talks on the Dharma, we set all tasks and distractions aside, sit down, and focus on the talks. But life is rarely ideal. If ever. With much to do at work and at home, and with distractions everywhere we turn, we rarely have optimal conditions to practice and learn.

How do we find and dedicate the time we want—and need—to do both?

We know that buddha-name chanting requires dedicated focused time. Our learning, however, can be more flexible. We can take a hint from those who listen to Dharma talks in the Pure Land. In that land, Amitabha Buddha has birds singing the Dharma because he understands that even beings who manage to attain birth there will find it easier to periodically take a more relaxed approach to learning.

We can do the same. Integrate some of our learning into our daily tasks. Perhaps during our daily commute or when doing routine tasks. Wherever we find ourselves.

When unable to see a person’s reaction, 

we need to be even more careful with our words.

When we’re talking with another person, we may inadvertently say something that hurts or bothers the person. Since we’re looking at him we can see his reaction and, hopefully, address any misunderstanding. This process is the nature of conversation: our speaking and then hearing another’s response as we observe his physical reactions. We continue chatting based on these verbal and physical cues.

But when we write—and especially when writing a comment online—we don’t have the advantage of seeing how others react.

Fixated on driving home our point without being able to see the reader’s reaction, we don’t see the hurt expression, the flash of anger. Unable to see these reactions, we have no clue as to the damage our words are inflicting.

And so we plow ahead like a runaway train. Rather, we need to take control of the chaotic situation, and like a good engineer drive the train responsibly and arrive safely. And be a polite one at that.