Philosophy 02 (Nov 15 - Dec 24)

[winston]

Addressing the Tight and Painful Places

Let the breath energy sit near places that might be tight or painful.

And notice if different sensations, odors or colors are there.

No pushing, no pulling, simply being near, listening, like a good friend.

- Marisela B. Gomez, “Finding the Juicy and Joyful in Celibacy”

[winston]

Stop Resisting Suffering

When we resist change, it’s called suffering.

But when we can let go and not struggle against it, that’s called enlightenment.

- Pema Chödrön, “The Fundamental Ambiguity of Being Human”

[winston]

Multitasking?

We often convince ourselves that we can do several things at once.

The truth is we’re not really multitasking; we’re just focusing on one thing for a very brief time and then focusing on the next thing, intentionally shifting our focus over and over again.

- Dan Zigmond, “Practicing at the Office”

[winston]

Taking Our Practice Seriously

When any one of us takes ourselves and our path, completely seriously, we give other people permission to do the same.

In this time and place marked by corrosive doubt, skepticism and cynicism, that is our medicine.

We need the balm of sincerity, forthrightness and confidence.

- Kaishin Matsui, “Are You Really Present All the Time?”

[winston]

A Matter of the Heart

Faith is more a matter of a courageous heart than that of intellect.

- Leslie Booker, “The Power of Faith”

[winston]

Silence Needs Wisdom

Although staying silent in the face of provocation is certainly commendable, it may not be sufficient; silence needs to be tempered with wisdom.

- Tara Anand, “Differentiating ‘Noble Silence’ from ‘The Silent Treatment’”

[winston]

Art Reflects Mind

The product of your art is a snapshot of the state of your mind in the moments of creation.

- Cristina Moon, “Everyone Thinks They’re an Artist”

[winston]

No Big Deal

You have to realize that some things are minor, some things are major.

Your ability to make things minor — in other words, to see a setback as not such a big deal — is an important mental skill.

- Thanissaro

[winston]

The Courage to Rest

The more we can rest in our vast, broken-open heart without flinching — and the more we can cherish the body we have no matter how limp or exhausted or disfigured — the more equipped we are to inhabit with courage, the life with which we’ve been entrusted.

- Teri Dillon, “Making Our Own Jewels”

[winston]

Shed Your Egoism

No matter how egoistic we may be, I think each of us will find that we’re happier when we shed our egoism and discover that the world is full of sources of happiness and most of them aren’t me.

- Jay Garfield, “To Be or Not To Be”