As the Winter Solstice approaches the mornings are very dark,  and the daylight hours clearly shorter. It is the darkest time of the year. This quote wishes to remind us that,  in a fundamental way,  we are complete in ourselves, no matter what our passing thoughts  tell us, or if we cannot see much light in our lives.

Our nature is to be cheerful. This cheerfulness is deeper than temporary conditions. The day does not have to be sunny for us to be cheerful. We are free of having to depend on something else to make us happy. We can bask freely in the natural radiance of our mind.  This is the equanimity of true cheerfulness—nothing more, nothing less.

Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, A Simple Sense of Delight

photo william waterway