Philosophy 05 (Aug 25 - Dec 26)

[winston]

The Gain of Letting Go

While letting go can be extremely beneficial, the practice can be even more significant when we also learn to let go into something valuable.

From this side, letting go is more about what is gained than what is lost.

- Gil Fronsdal, “What We Gain When We Learn to Let Go”

[winston]

Open-Ended Phenomena

As persons, we’re responsible to culture and to others and we are constantly changing, open-ended phenomena, not isolated, self-existent phenomena.

We are part of a spatial, temporal and social complex, not standing outside of it, in a dualistic relation.

- Jay L. Garfield, “To Be or Not to Be”

[winston]

Accommodate Others

Space accommodates all perfections and imperfections.

Likewise, the basis of loving-kindness, compassion, equanimity and joy arises, when you can rest within an attitude that accommodates others as they are.

- Jetsün Khandro, “Charting the Four Immeasurables”

[winston]

Lines of Questioning

There are positive lines of questioning,which is a positive investigation that leads to wisdom and clarity.

It is when we allow the mind to get mired in the ceaseless search for answers, that we risk mental well-being.

- Jessica Angima, “Doubt Is My Best Friend”

[winston]

The Light of Reality

The sense of self, creates a feeling of solidity, like the apparent solidity of the clouds veiling the face of the sun but at certain moments, a gap is opened up, through which we may receive a glimpse of the light of reality.

- Francesca Fremantle, “The Luminous Gap”

[winston]

A Matrix of Opportunity

Once we awaken to where we are, we must take the responsibility to transform that world into a matrix of opportunity for wisdom and compassion, not just for ourselves but for all others.

- David Patt, “Who’s Zoomin’ Who? ”

[winston]

Returning to the Moment

All we have is the present and this is our practice, to keep returning to this moment even as it passes, just like looking out the train window, frame after frame.

- Susan Moon, “The Way of the Rails”

[winston]

Awareness of Impact

Much of the time we don’t even know our own motivations, so it can be very difficult to know the motivations of others.

But we can be aware of the impact that their actions have within us.

- Marc Lesser, “Do Less, Accomplish More”

[winston]

The Practice of Reflection

We must each begin the practice of reflection — deciding what is right and living that truth.

Then we can sit on our cushions, deliberating “enlightenment” with a spacious heart and a clear conscience.

- Pannavati, “How Do I Contribute to War?”

[winston]

The Magic of Reflecting

Through the magic of reflecting on the teachings, their force—sometimes clear, sometimes obscure — will cause ferment in our minds from which we can gradually distill the wisdom of reflection.

- Jampa Thaye, “How Do We Learn?”