One of the most persistent of all delusions
is the conviction that the source of our dissatisfaction
lies outside ourselves
Alan Wallace
Being content with the ordinary
The breath is not something that we create or imagine; it is a natural process of our bodies that continues as long as life lasts, whether we concentrate on it or not. So it is an object that is always present; we can turn to it at any time. We don’t have to have any qualifications to watch our breath. We do not even need to be particularly intelligent — all we have to do is to be content with, and aware of, one inhalation and exhalation.
Wisdom does not come from studying great theories and philosophies, but from observing the ordinary.
Ajahn Sumedho, Now is the Knowing
We always think we need to do more..
Our heart is often divided by doubt and our efforts go into what or how we should be, or into trying to prove ourselves. We need to dis-engage from this mind which produces narratives such as ‘I need to do more” and not hold on to notions of progress which require a perfect self-image:
Thomas Merton said the way we have structured our lives, we spend our whole life climbing up the ladder of supposed success, and when we get to the top of the ladder we realize it is leaning against the wrong wall — and there is nothing at the top. To get back to the place of inherent abundance, you have to let go of all of the false agendas, unreal goals, and passing self-images. It is all about letting go. The spiritual life is more about unlearning than learning, because the deepest you already knows.
Richard Rohr, The Art of Letting Go
We know and do not know
Our minds are often very intent on knowing the outcome, on fixing things down into this or that:
Water, stories, the body,
all the things we do, are mediums
that hide and show what’s hidden.
Study them,
and enjoy this being washed
with a secret we sometimes know,
and then not.
Rumi, Story Water
Starting the week
You carry all the ingredients to turn your existence into joy.
Mix them,
Mix them!
Hafiz
Sunday Quote: Full of wonder
This is a wonderful day.
I’ve never seen this one before
Maya Angelou
Mindfulbalance 