Philosophy 03 (May 24 - Dec 25)

[winston]

Unqualified Plenitude

Enlightenment is the recognition of the unqualified plenitude of every moment and situation, of the immaculate suchness of all things, just as they are.

- David L. Barnhill, “A Giant Act of Love: Reflections on the First Precept”

[winston]

Find Freedom

Our spiritual life depends upon knowing that we are both consciousness itself and wholly flawed and human — our practice is to learn to love both.

- Jack Kornfield, “Finding Freedom Right Here, Right Now”

[winston]

Failure Is Natural

Do not fear failure.

Whatever happened in the past is past; do not worry about it happening again.

Before you meet with success, failure is natural and necessary.

As a baby learns to walk, it keeps falling down. Is this failure?

- Sheng Yen, “Being Natural”

[winston]

Resting on Your Breath


It’s creative to arrange your attention in a different way than we do habitually.

Imagine just resting on your breath.

That sounds insane to a lot of people—maybe impossible, maybe attractive.

People usually like it. They may even have a few moments of respite and tremendous gratitude.

- Anne C. Klein, “Ritual as an Opening to Love”

[winston]

A Reminder to Let Go

We are born with all the wisdom, playfulness and imagination we need;

We just sometimes need a reminder, to return to our senses and get out of our own way.

Let go of whatever fears, assumptions, distractions, resistance and busyness, may be hampering you.

- Marc Lesser, “Do Less, Accomplish More”

[winston]

The Beauty of Grief

Grief helps your bones feel the deeper beauty that undergirds life.

- Paula Arai, “Where Fear and Love Meet”

[winston]

Small But Mighty Steps

Cooking a meal for a friend, buying a cup of coffee or a gift for a workmate, are small but significant steps on the path.

- Manjusura, “An Everyday Aspiration”

[winston]

Unlimited Love

Once we recognize our layers of self-protection, we have the opportunity to remember that while we are limited beings, we have access to unlimited love.

- Satya Robyn, “On Wanting to Sound Good”

[winston]

Turning Toward Pain

Turning toward our pain gets easier with practice.

Gradually, we become less afraid of our discomfort.

- Bodhipaksa, “Loving Pain”

[winston]

Contemplation and Acceptance


The problem is in your mind. You can’t change external things.

Whether you think about it or not, you will die anyway.

But by thinking about it and accepting it, you will get rid of your fear.

- Ajahn Suchart Abhijāto, “Meet a Teacher: Phra Ajahn Suchart Abhijāto”