The path of meditation and the path of our lives altogether has to do with curiosity, inquisitiveness. The ground is ourselves; we’re here to study ourselves and to get to know ourselves now, not later. One of the main discoveries of meditation is seeing how we continually run away from the present moment, how we avoid being here just as we are. That’s not considered to be a problem; the point is to see it.
Pema Chodron.
photo Vitold Muratov
The emptiness of the desert makes it possible to learn the almost impossible:
the joyful acceptance of our uselessness.
Ivan Illich
One of the functions of mindfulness is to give us options. We can see our reactions building early, and not just after we have already pressed “send” on that nasty, hostile email or closed a door we actually hope could remain open. We see what is happening within, without panic or getting lost in the reaction. We know we can follow it out or let it go. And because mindfulness helps us be in touch with a big range of feelings, thoughts, and reactions, we know from experience that we can take a strong, principled stand on something while not demonizing someone else for their views or even their actions. We learn that we can be fierce without hating.
Sharon Salzberg
The strongest love
is the love that can demonstrate its fragility.
Paul Coelho, Eleven Minutes
A man is rich
in proportion to the number of things
which he can afford to let alone.
Thoreau
Things are not as they are seen,
nor are they otherwise.
Lankavatara Sutra
