Philosophy 02 (Nov 15 - Dec 24)

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People Are Everything

There is a basic truth that when people are bad, even good material objects can cause harm to people at large;

If people are moral and just, even harmful objects can become beneficial.

- Ajaan Lee, “Human Values”

[winston]

Death Brings Life

Facing the truth of our own death, can bring us back to life.

- Juliana Sloane, “What a Visit to a Cadaver Lab Taught Me About Death Contemplation”

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Face the Storm

Nothing in the world will ever protect us: not our partner, not our life circumstances, not our children.

After all, other people are busy protecting themselves.

If we spend our life looking for the eye of the hurricane, we live a life that is fruitless.

- Charlotte Joko Beck, “The Eye of the Hurricane”

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The Open Heart

An open heart is a conduit through which collective life can express its grief of uncertainty and loss.

- Nikayla Jefferson

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Awakening to Simple Joys

Awakening to your own joy can be as simple as taking delight in a gorgeous blooming flower, hearing the sound of your beloved’s voice or noticing the way your favorite song soothes your heart.

- Amanda Gilbert, “How to Choose Joy"

[winston]

Living with Truth

The more we’re living at odds with the truth, the more we suffer.

The more we live along with it, the happier we are.

- Tsomo, “What’s Left? A Practice for Understanding Impermanence”

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Natural Capacity for Empathy

When we are not as consumed by suffering, we can connect with our natural capacity for empathy and compassion.

- Rebecca Li, “Remembering as an Act of Cultivating Clear

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Embodying Teachings

Outside of books and talks, the greatest sermon is lived, not written.

- Gary Gach

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Taking Life in Stride

A student once asked the spiritual teacher, Jiddu Krishnamurti , what his secret to peace and contentment was.

He leaned over and whispered to the student: ‘I don’t mind what happens.’

- Toni Bernhard, “Self-Care in an Uncertain World”

[winston]

Practice off the Cushion

Our practice is our whole life. It’s not about the fifteen or thirty minutes on the cushion; it’s about seeing how much presence, awareness, kindness, joy and freedom we’re bringing to each moment.

- Sebene Selassie