Every time we make a mindful step, we are engaged in an act of enlightenment.
We can be enlightened about the fact that we are making a step.
Each step can have beauty in it.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Author: Karl Duffy
This is a Mindfulness Practice Blog written in Laois, Ireland, containing reflections on meditation practice, psychological growth, spirituality and wellness which hopefully may encourage and benefit others as they reflect on their lives and seek to develop a more balanced, mindful and conscious approach to it.
A solid sense of self
Chi Hsing-tzu was training a fighting cock for the king.
After 10 days, the king asked if the bird was ready for combat. “No, Your Majesty,” replied Chi,” He’s too full of fire, arrogant, always ready to pick a fight. He’s relying on his own strength.”
Another 10 days passed, and the king asked again, Chi said, “No, Sir, not yet. He still becomes excited when a rival bird appears.”
10 more days. The king asked again. “Not yet,” Chi said. “He still gets an angry glint in his eye, and ruffles up his feathers.”
Another 10 days, another question.
Chi said, “Now, Sir, he is ready.
When a rival bird crows, his eyes don’t even flicker. He stands immobile like a block of wood.
His focus is inside.
Other birds will take one look at him and run.”
Story told by Chuang-tzu (Zhuang Zhou), Chinese Taoist philosopher, 4th century BC
Photo fernando de suosa
Sunday Quote: Losing our fears
Who sees all beings in his own Self
and his own Self in all beings,
loses all fear.
Isha Upanishad
What Springtime teaches us
Heaven and Earth give themselves.
Air, water, plants, animals, and humans give themselves to each other.
It is in this giving-themselves-to-each-other that we actually live.
Whether you appreciate it or not, it is true.
Kodo Sawaki, 1880 – 1965, Japanese Sōtō Zen teacher
Giving power over to the situation
When a rainbow appears vividly in the sky, you can see its beautiful colors, yet you could not wear as clothing or put it on as an ornament. It arises through the conjunction of various factors, but there is nothing about it that can be grasped. Likewise, thoughts that arise in the mind have no tangible existence or intrinsic solidity. There is no logical reason why thoughts, which have no substance, should have so much power over you, nor is there any reason why you should become their slave.
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Our original mind
Mind has no colour; it is not long or short;
it does not vanish or appear; it is free from purity and impurity alike; and its duration is eternal.
It is utter stillness.
Such, then, is the form and shape of our original mind,
which is also our original body.
Hui Hai 720 – 814
photo alvesgaspar
