Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow,
it empties today of its strength
Corrie ten Boom, Clippings from my Notebook
with thanks to Laura Syrat for the photo of cat sleeping in Nice, France.
People never remember happiness with the care that they lavish on
preserving every detail of their suffering
Edward St Aubyn, English Author.
Whatever one keeps pursuing with their thinking and pondering,
that becomes the inclination of theirĀ awareness.
The Buddha, Dvedhavitakka Sutta, MN 19, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
Go into yourself
and see how deep the place is
from which your life flows
Rainer Maria Rilke
photo of a mountain spring on Carn Ban Mor by John Horner
In different traditions and at different times there were many attempts to express the value of setting aside some time for silence or creating some space to listen and yet they all agree on its benefits. What was true in the 12th century is even more true today. When we get caught up in relentless activity we are in danger of not hearing what our deep needs are, or indeed what are those of others close to us. Finding some time for quiet in our lives is not a luxury but rather is essential for protecting our health.
Let all my world be silent in your presence so that I may hear what you may say in my heart. Your words are so softly spokenĀ that no one can hear them except in a deep silence. But to hear them lifts the person who sits alone and in silence completely above their natural powers, because those who humble themselves will be lifted up. Those who sit alone and listen will be raised above themselves.
Guigo II, Carthusian monk, died 1188, Ladder of Monks and Twelve Meditations
photo brian stansberry
There is an Indian proverb that says that everyone is a house with four rooms, a physical, a mental, an emotional, and a spiritual .
Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time
but unless we go into every room every day,
even if only to keep it aired,
we are not a complete person
Rumer Godden, 1907 – 1998, author,Ā A House with Four Rooms
photo takkk