Philosophy 05 (Aug 25 - Dec 26)

[winston]

Complete Selflessness

If enlightenment is, among other things, complete selflessness, then only when we have rid ourselves of selfishness to the point where we are no longer greedy, even for the fruits of training, do we really reach the “goal” of the Way.

- Francis Cook, “Ripple Effect”

[winston]

Remember the Truth

What if we remembered the underlying truth that each of us is always changing, preciously impermanent and lacking any essential qualities, that divide and distinguish us from one another?

- Billy Wynne, “The Emptiness of Love”

[winston]

Logical Discipline

Discipline is about creating the conditions for a healthy, stable mind.

If we are intent on awakening to supreme bliss, we must be aware of and abstain from the conditions and activities that disrupt the mind. It is very logical.

- Phakchok, “Maintaining Discipline”

[winston]

Relax in the Moment

When we can graciously hold the wholeness of a moment without pitting any of the parts against each other — and then relax there — a sacred alchemy occurs.

- Justin Michelson, “Liberating Metaphors for Our Lives”

[winston]

Remember What We’ve Forgotten

So much of our growth on the spiritual path comes not from gaining new knowledge but from remembering what we’ve always known but have forgotten.

- John Brehm, “The Art of Appreciative Attention”

[winston]

The Center of the Teachings

The center of the teachings lies not in a grim confrontation with absurdity and futility but in the sublime pleasures of the contemplative path and the liberated mind.

- Matthew Gindin

[winston]

Choose Your Destiny

What we choose every moment will affect our habits, our personality and our destiny.

Therefore, we must choose with awareness, with understanding and love, so we can care for ourselves better.

- Dang Nghiem, “How to Be Your Own Soulmate”

[winston]

Use the Ground to Stand

Regardless of how far we think we’ve strayed or how many times we’ve fallen on the ground, in each and every moment, we have the opportunity to use that same ground to stand.

- Vanessa Zuisei Goddard, “The Five Opponent Powers”

[winston]

The Nature of Sentience

Sentience can’t be reduced to the ego; it is, in its essential nature, selflessness, thus capable of all the qualities of awakening such as wisdom and limitless compassion.

Sentient beings are therefore admirable.

- Karma Trinlay, “What We’ve Been All Along”

[winston]

Events Are Interdependent

We can practice equanimity much better when we understand how events are interdependent.

We also develop equanimity when we look into the future with the same acceptance we have at examining the winding path, that got us to where we are today.

- Christopher Willard, “How Parents and Children Can Learn Balance and Equanimity from the Eight Worldly Winds”