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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 15

circumstances, you won’t be able to really benefit. but to experience meaning in your everyday life and
Because your conditions are different from those of the value of life. Put simply, cultivate good thoughts,
others, the opportunities that will arise for you are speak kind words, perform good deeds, and broaden
different. Just following whatever you see others doing your karmic affinities. In this way you will naturally be
will only cause you additional trouble. Therefore, your surrounded by people of good character and find good
destiny rests upon the totality of circumstances around fortune everywhere.
you. If the conditions are not right or your effort is not
right, it will be very hard to succeed. So, if you want to Source: Chan Magazine, Volume 41, Number 1 — Winter
improve your fortune it is best not to seek divination, 2021, USA. EH

First, an Open Hand

By Dr Nikki Mirghafori

In any presentation of the
paramitas, dana, or generosity,
always comes first — Nikki
Mirghafori explains why.

Dr. Nikki Mirghafori is an
internationally known Buddhist
teacher and Artificial Intelligence
scientist. She is a lineage holder
in the Theravada tradition,
empowered by the Burmese
meditation master Venerable
Pa Auk Sayadaw, with whom
she practiced the jhanas and the Spirit Rock Meditation Center AI, holding multiple patents
detailed analytical (Abhidhamma- in Woodacre, CA, and also as a and co-author of 40+ scientific
style) vipassana. She also received Teacher at the Insight Meditation research articles. She has directed
empowerment from the Spirit Center in Redwood City, CA. international research programs
Rock Meditation Center, Insight Nikki is Iranian-American, has as the Principal Investigator,
Meditation Society, Insight taught contemplative practices mentored post-docs and PhD
Meditation Center, and is a internationally, and aspires to students, taught graduate courses
Stanford-trained compassion serve as a champion for wisdom at UC Berkeley, and been a scientific
cultivation instructor. and compassion. advisor to Silicon Valley technology
startups. She is interested in the
She serves as a Stewarding Teacher Additionally, Nikki has been ethics of AI, among others.
and on the Board of Directors at a researcher and inventor in