The essential religious experience is that you are being “known through” more than knowing anything in particular yourself. Despite this difference, it will feel like a true kind of knowing. But it is also a freedom not to have to know!
Richard Rohr, The Naked Now
When we recognize and become grounded in awareness of awareness, the “wind” of emotion may still blow. But instead of being carried away by the wind, we turn our attention inward, watching the shifts and changes with the intention of becoming familiar with that aspect of consciousness that recognizes Oh, this is what I’m feeling, this is what I’m thinking. As we do so, a bit of space opens up within us. With practice, that space — which is the mind’s natural clarity — begins to expand and settle. We can begin to watch our thoughts and emotions without necessarily being affected by them quite as powerfully or vividly as we’re used to. We can still feel our feelings, think our thoughts, but slowly our identity shifts from a person who defines him – or herself as lonely, ashamed, frightened, or hobbled by low self-esteem to a person who can look at loneliness, shame, and low self-esteem as movements of the mind.
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, The Aim of Attention
Take a moment from time to time to remember that you are alive. I know this sounds a trifle obvious, but it is amazing how little time we take to remark upon this singular and gratifying fact. By the most astounding stroke of luck an infinitesimal portion of all the matter in the universe came together to create you and for the tiniest moment in the great span of eternity you have the incomparable privilege to exist.
Bill Bryson, 10 Simple Rules for Happiness, Graduate College Commencement Ceremony Address
When we experience pure silence in the mind, the body becomes silent also.
And in that field of silence, healing is much more efficient.
Deepak Chopra
In yourself right now, is all the place you’ve got
Flannery O’Connor, Wise Blood
This place where you are right now, God circled on a map for you.
Hafiz
Morning to night I am never done with looking
Looking, I mean not just standing around
but standing around as though with your arms open
Mary Oliver, Where Does the Temple Begin, Where Does It End?
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