Slowing Down

The end of the year in the Christian Calendar. A different rhythm begins tomorrow with the start of Advent

In this world of speed and distraction, choosing to be less busy feels almost countercultural; slowing down, eccentric. Perhaps it is, for there’s no denying the expansive, time-bending effects of awareness. Sometimes, I do call it meditation: I sit cross-legged on a cushion in my yoga room; I set a timer and focus on my breath, bringing my attention to bear on the elusive, invisible third eye in the center of my brow point. These sittings are humbling: My mind sneaks away, I chase it down, lead it back, tie it again and again to my breath. Eventually, if I’m not in a rush to get on to the next thing, a small, silent space clears. I savor the taste of quiet, roll it around on my tongue, feel the day’s contours softening and opening around me.

Katrina Kenison, Magical Journey: An Apprenticeship in Contentment

Non-doing

The sage Chuang-Tzu was walking with a disciple on a hilltop. They see a crooked, ancient tree without a single straight branch. The disciple says the tree is useless, nothing from it can be used and Chuang-Tzu replies, “That’s the reason it’s ancient. Everyone seem to know how useful it is to be useful. No one seems to know how useful it is to be useless”

Joseph Goldstein, The Practice of Loving Kindness for all

A wider perspective

Meditate within eternity.
Don’t stay inside the mind.

Your thoughts are like a child fretting
near its mother’s breast, restless
and afraid, who with a little guidance,
can find the path of courage

Lalla, 14th century Kashmiri mystic.

Another milestone passed, three quarters of a million hits.

Many thanks for your ongoing support and practice.

Content

The one who knows that enough is enough

will always have enough.

Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, 46

Creating drama

We do not need to save ourselves from the world

only from ourselves and the stories we create.

May all beings be happy.

Michael Kewley, Former Buddhist monk, currently teaching courses on Awareness and meditation.

Adult questions

A Zen saying helps us – “This being the case, how shall I proceed?”

That is so much more an adult question than “This being the case, who is at fault?” or “why is this happening to me?”

David Richo, The Five Things we Cannot Change