It [our way] is never apart from this very place;
what is the use of traveling around to practice?
Dogen, General Advice on the Principles of Zazen
Category: Be fully present
Without a trace
It is completely natural that thoughts keep on arising. The point is not to try to stop them, but to liberate them. This is done by remaining in a state of simplicity, which lets thoughts arise and vanish again without stringing onto them any further thoughts. When you no longer perpetuate the movement of thoughts, they dissolve by themselves without leaving any trace. When you no longer spoil the state of stillness with mental fabrications, you can maintain the natural serenity of mind without any effort. Sometimes, let your thoughts flow and watch the unchanging nature behind them.
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
A Mind like Sky
Meditation comes alive through a growing capacity to release our habitual entanglement
in the stories and plans, conflicts and worries that make up the small sense of self,
and to rest in awareness.
Jack Kornfield, A Mind like Sky
photo : juanedc
The Cherry blossoms
You ask why I make my home in the mountain forest
and I smile and am silent and even my soul remains quiet;
It lives in the world that no one owns.
Trees blossom.
Water flows.
Li Po, 701 – 762
Noting
The quality of mind we are talking about……. is a mind which responds to something with attention and then returns to its own natural state. It doesn’t elaborate on it, doesn’t get caught up in it, doesn’t get excited about it. It just notes that this is what is happening. Every time it happens, it notes it. It doesn’t get blasé. It doesn’t become conditioned. In this way, it is like a child’s mind.
Tenzin Palmo, Reflections on a mountain lake
In the bits and pieces
God is not all in one place complete,
God is in the bits and pieces of everyday,
a kiss here, a smile there,
and sometimes tears.
Patrick Kavanagh
photo Grafton st Dublin by executioner
