Buddha on Right Action

 

Picture of Buddha from Wikipedia.com 

 

 

 

Right Action is actually one of the eight paths on the Buddhist Eightfold Path. It comes under the section of ethics. Most commonly, to Monks, it is the law of Right Conduct. Simply put – abstaining from taking the life of any living thing, abstaining from stealing, abstaining from un-chastity (refraining from improper sexual conduct), abstaining from lying (truth and integrity in all things), and abstain from intoxicants. 

Generally, all belief systems mirror the intention of right action. Therefore in spiritual practice we hear the phrase “right action” and take it as shorthand for all of the “RIGHTS” in the Eightfold Path. From pagan tradition, the phrase, “and harm to none (no one), is also about Right Action. 

Books have been written on how the Rights should be learned, implemented and incorporated into one’s personal creed. This includes judgment of others and offering unsolicited advice. More on that in another article. For now, we leave it to everyone to make up their mind about Right Action.

Blessings,

Judy

About Bat as a Spirit Animal

"Common Bat" found throughout North America - from Wikipedia

There are many beliefs in this world about BAT.  Some people in Africa believe that the Bat is a physical manifestation of the soul - thus allowing the soul of the individual to travel at night to complete the work that the Soul has left unfinished.

North American indigenous people believe that the Bat is a trickster type spirit whose home is in the Underworld.  Bat comes to Earth to trap those with weak morals or ethics and when the individual shows their weakness, Bat takes them below ground to work out the person's sins.  Eastern cultures believe that Bat represents abundance and long life.  It seems that all of these beliefs might be true.

Since Bat represents the link between the Day and the Night because it flies only at night, it is said to be blessed by Mother Goddess of the Moon.  The colours of Bat - red, brown, black - connect it with Mother Earth and with the base chakra - representing how we walk on this Earth.  If we walk in harmony, one does not fear Bat.  Just as Bat uses sonar to find its food and discern obstacles, we can use our "hidden" connection to Mother Earth to know which of her creatures and plants and trees are around us.  If we understand that Bat is nearby, Bat does not scare us.  If we walk in power on this Earth, we do not understand the ways of animals, especially Bat, and we fear it.  We make up stories about what wrongs it does.

Bat has been appearing more and more in writings and in pictures.  For the west coast of North America, it may be the hero that is needed to fight against the pine beetle which is stripping the pine trees of their needles, and eventually killing the tree.  

Medicine Woman sees Bat as representing the Night - and with Night, astral travel, dreams, intuition, and past life scenarios.  Bat is also about seeing without one's eyes to see what is REALLY out in the world.  Bat is known for seeing TRUTH.

Bat brings messages such as:

- perhaps it is time to stop and reflect on life and make some changes.  When Bat thinks and sleeps, it does so up side down.  When the God, Odin, wanted to understand and make changes, he hung on a tree for nine days and nine nights.  So take some time to yourself.

- some say that seeing is believing.  Bat will tell you that is not true.  What truth is it that you are missing because you are looking right at it?  Close your eyes.  Be in silence and "listen" for the TRUTH as you send out your thoughts around the situation.

Many Blessings,

Judy