Tag: impermanence

Pruning

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The other morning a friend shared that when he was a little boy, he loved to watch his grandfather prune trees, and his memory of it has become a helpful metaphor during the COVID-19 crisis.

He explained that after the pruning, once the trees were down to their bare essence, they entered a period of botanical seclusion and apparent dormancy. But in time, the trees stood tall again – more lush and beautiful in the morning light.

We are in a time of tremendous pruning and seclusion, said my friend.

Let’s hope and trust that when this period ends, we, too, will emerge from our global seclusion more vibrant and beautiful than before.

Kelly Barron, Finding Opportunities for Insight and Growth During Isolation

Sunday Quote: Protection

Karl Duffy1 Comment

The word blessing evokes a sense of warmth and protection; it suggests that no life is alone or unreachable.

Each life is clothed in raiment of spirit that secretly links it to everything else.

Though suffering and chaos befall us, they can never quench that inner light of providence.

John O’Donohue

Tumbler dryer of thoughts

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Any moment, however simple, can be transformative – it all depends on the quality of our attention.

By stopping and paying attention to some of the everyday aspects of our existence, we can wake up to every unique moment of our lives: the particular expression on our child’s face as we say goodbye in the morning, the way the wind blows the sycamore trees on this day compared to others…..

The beauty of life is in the day-do-day details that we can miss when we forget to stop and observe what is before us in each new moment. From the perspective of mindfulness, every moment has value and is worthy of being present to. When we practice the art of stopping, we can enjoy the blessings of nature that are always on our doorstep. We must simply take the time to stop and listen, open our eyes and our senses, and cease being consumed by our tumble dryer of thoughts.

Mark Coleman, Awake in the Wild: Mindfulness in Nature as a Path of Self-Discovery

Everything revealed in each moment

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“Enlightenment is like the moon reflected in a dewdrop on a blade of grass. The moon does not get wet, nor is the drop of water broken.

And the whole moon and the entire sky are reflected in even one drop of water”.  Dogen, 

In truth, the smallest stem of a damaged heart, like a single blade of grass, holds the essence of everything alive.

Enlightenment is the kiss of anything – moon, storm, or kindness – that opens us to that essence.

Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening

Upheaval

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The earthquake shakes you awake, and then that’s sort of the big spiritual question: How do you stay awake? …

The other question is: Why has everything we’ve ever been told about human nature misled us about what happens in these moments?

Rebecca Solnit

Use breathing to ground yourself in stormy weather

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Our breathing is a stable solid ground that we can take refuge in. Regardless of our internal weather – our thoughts, emotions and perceptions- our breathing is always with us like a faithful friend. Whenever we feel carried away, or sunken in a deep emotion, or scattered in worries and projects, we return to our breathing to collect and anchor our mind.

We feel the flow of air coming in and going out of our nose. We feel how light and natural, how calm and peaceful our breathing functions. At any time, we can return to this peaceful source of life.

We may like to recite: “Breathing in I know that I am breathing in.
Breathing out I know that I am breathing out.”

We do not need to control our breath. Feel the breath as it actually is. It may be long or short, deep or shallow. Conscious breathing is the key to uniting body and mind and bringing the energy of mindfulness into everyday life.

Thich Nhat Hahn