highest blessing 4

Sutta Nipāta the Maṅgla Sutta  258, 272

Support for mother and father,
And helping both wife and children,
Spheres of work that bring no conflict.
—This is the highest of blessings.


Our personal practices of developing awareness, kindness, and wisdom involve others, those in our immediate circles: family and in work settings. Though we focus on personal transformation, on the one being we can impact, such transformation includes enriching our ability to be present to and with others. There is no problem that can be fully resolved through conflict or force.

Without justice, [patience, and listening] there is no peace.

highest blessing 3

Sutta Nipāta   the Maṅgla Sutta  258-272

Learning a lot, and craftsmanship,
And being well-trained in one’s practice,
Well-spoken in all that is said.
—This is the highest of blessings.


Letting go or realizing nonself does not mean annihilation. One still walks the planet and contributes organically to all communities in which one embedded. It is wise to master a craft. Having the basics skills well established, frees one to flow in the work, to let right action or right speech emerge because the skills are already in place when the call/need arises.

highest blessing 2

Sutta Nipāta 258, 260

To live in a suitable place,
To have done good deeds in the past,
And having one’s own proper goal.
—This is the highest of blessings.

What is a proper goal?

I've often done what I thought I should do or what ought to be done. These choices have sometimes led to entrapment within my own creations - all done with good intentions, but also not necessarily kind to my self. And maybe not that useful to others.

Simple things are really so beautiful - and satisfying.