Philosophy 02 (Nov 15 - Dec 24)

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True Presence

The most precious gift you can give to the one you love is your true presence.

- Thich Nhat Hanh, “Love Is Being There”

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A Recipe for Freedom

Freedom takes work. It takes prayer. It takes connecting to the unseen.

It takes devotion and trust in the sacred or the divine.

But if we can do that, then we will get free.

- Rod Owens, “The New Saints”

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Embracing Our Inner World

When we bury a feeling, we hold it inside and it festers but if we develop our ability and courage to feel, we can come to a recognition that our inner feeling-world, is not something we have to fear and run from.

- Scott Tusa, “How to Be in the Body (Without Jumping Out of Your Skin)”

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Conditioning Our Actions

Actions conditioned by greed, hatred and delusion, bring a heavy burden of suffering.

On the other hand, actions conditioned by generosity, lovingkindness and wisdom, lead to a light and happy sense of well-being.

Simple as that.

- Vaddhaka Linn, “Does Self-Help Help?”

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The Zero State

There is no need to be afraid of having faults because knowing we have them, can help us to improve.

If you considered yourself perfect, would you still want to meditate and cultivate your practice?

- Sheng Yen, “How to Be Faultless”

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Get Comfortable

To make others comfortable, first make yourself comfortable with them.

It is not very easy,but in time, we may see it as worthwhile — even natural!

- Henepola Gunaratana, “Overcoming Ill Will”

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Free Yourself from Your Internalized Gaze

The more you can free yourself from your internalization of the gaze of others, the more liberated you feel.

- Thanissaro Bhikkhu, “Under Your Skin”

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True Nature Is Beyond

Awakening means a fundamental shift takes place.

It is a shift from looking for ourselves outside in the ten thousand things, to recognizing that our true nature is beyond definition.

- Kittisaro, “Tangled in Thought”

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Peaceful Abandon

Try turning off the radio, the phone, the computer and the TV;

Sit comfortably in a quiet place, relaxing the body and mind;

Mindfully breathe in, mindfully breathe out and abandon — just for now — any thought or response that tends to disperse and divide your awareness.

- Andrew Olendzki, “Busy Signal”

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Growth Is in the Little Things

Every wholesome thought, every pure intention, every effort to train the mind, represents a potential for growth along the noble path.

- “Vision and Routine”