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‘Develop a clear mind by overcoming the ego’
Though a tree is cut from its base, there is a tendency for it to grow again because of the roots underneath. Likewise, one’s defilements can also sprout until they are completely eliminated. That is because one doesn’t understand the cause and effect method properly. The effect is the thought, that appears in the mind. Explore the cause of the thought. Then your mind becomes clear and radiant.
When exploring the mind, one realizes there’s an attachment and further an ego behind everything. There are only two reasons behind the non-realization of the cause and effect method; ego (clinging to things as myself and mine) and attachment to worldly possessions. We remain attached to many things in our life because the concept of ego has deeply existed in our mind.
If someone doesn’t see the cause and effect method clearly, the reason behind is the concept of ego. The idea of ego. Until the ego exists in the mind, no one can see the truth, the path to the enlightenment. If you need to realize the pathway, explore the effects of your thoughts with a clear and lucid mind.
For example, while having a cup of tea, we feel there’s not enough sugar in the tea. A thought then comes to our mind about insufficient sugar. Why did it come to the mind? Because, we have a past memory of tea with enough sugar. Now think, the effect here is the thought of insufficient sugar. The cause is the past memory of sufficient sugar. Every effect is born until there’s a cause. The cause and effect method should be explored mentally because the Dhamma is based on the mind.
The Buddhist teaching is based on the mind. When you understand the cause, the effect disappears. The anger comes to the mind as we cannot fulfill the various needs the mind expects. The desire comes to the mind as we expect a repetition of the past memory. The effect is the desire. The cause is the thought of desire. Likewise, develop a clear mind by overcoming the ego. That is ‘Chiththaanupassanaawa’ (seeking the cause mindfully).
When you apply this to life, you will realize the cause and effect method. Buddhism is a Dhamma, which is realized by yourself, not a knowledge gained by referring to books. But, nowadays, there is a tendency in society to convert Buddhism into a ‘knowledge’. No one practices or explores it.
Explore the Dhamma which calms your mind. Always seek the cause behind, not the effect. If someone practices this deep observation which has been preached in Buddhism, he can attain noble stages and ultimately attain enlightenment. Do an impartial observation on why thoughts appear in the mind and why desire and anger comes to the mind. When you start that observation, you get the noble path clear, the reverse thinking. You should be diligent to realize this pathway. Keep your mind attentive in the deep observation. Making the mind clearer is compulsory to develop it. If someone’s mind is confused, he will never realize the Dhamma.
A person’s mind becomes confused due to the ‘Panchaneewarana’ (five factors which cover the enlightenment) such as desire, anger lethargy, restlessness and doubt. When the mind is trapped by these factors, the pathway becomes obscure. It is, therefore, important to have an understanding of these when walking through this pathway.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
