But what is it then that sits in my heart,
that breathes so quietly, and without lungs—
that is here, here in this world, and yet not here?
Mary Oliver
You have placed eternity in our hearts
Ecclesiastes 3:11
Month: November 2016
Here now….
Advent is a season of waiting and preparation, but mainly in the sense of setting aside distractions and creating space to see what is important. However, what the commercial side of this holiday season often encourages is a state of anticipation and of lack, prompting us to think that something is going to be suddenly different when we get this thing or feeling. There is a danger in this, as we can fall into the trap of linking our happiness to some future moment. True contentment comes from working with our life as it as – from surrendering to what is – and not trying to escape from it.
Peace can only exist in the present moment. It is ridiculous to say “Wait until I finish this, then I’ll be free to live in peace”. What is “this”? A diploma, a job, a house, the payment of debt? If you think that way peace will never come. There is always another “this” that will follow the present one. If you are not living in peace at this moment, you’ll never be able to. If you truly want to be at peace, you must be at peace right now. Otherwise there is only hope for peace “some day.”
Thich Nhat Hahn, The Sun my Heart
photo sunoferat
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Simple
The meaning of life is just to be alive.
It is so plain and so obvious and so simple.
And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic
as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.
Alan Watts.
photo asio otus
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Sunday Quote: Restless
Today marks the start of Advent – the start of a new year in the Christian Calendar, this year occurring between the shopping festivals of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Two different views of what makes us happy. One feeds the ever wanting heart, which sees only what can be bought. The other feeds, as a friend reminded me yesterday, that part of us which cannot be seen, that which is hidden:
If your soul is un-wanting, you will see what is hidden.
The ever-wanting soul is forever chasing
only what it wants.
Lau Tzu, Tao Te Ching
photo amada44
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Saturday: Moments which contain everything
Look, I want to love this world
as though it’s the last chance I’m ever going to get
to be alive
and know it.
Mary Oliver, October
photo CSIRO
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A challenge for this Friday
Accept – then act
Whatever the present moment contains,
accept it as if you had chosen it
This will miraculously transform your whole life
Eckhart Tolle
photo MOs810
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