Unravelling negative beliefs

Applying attention to smaller emotions—or simply focusing on form, sound, or physical sensations—develops your capacity to look at long-term, overwhelming emotional states.

Once you begin to grow your “attentional muscles,” you can begin drawing attention to larger emotional issues. As you do so, you may find yourself directly confronting the underlying self-judgment and judgment of others as “enemies.” You may unravel the belief in being stuck, or the blind spot that inhibits your awareness of your potential. Almost certainly, you will confront the “myth of me,” the tendency to identify with your loneliness, low self-esteem, perfectionism, or isolation.

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, The Aim of Attention

Making no effort

If we sit quietly, making no effort, life expresses itself clearly; it simply happens on its own.

There’s nothing else to get. The great truth is obvious.

The heart beats; the breath comes and goes.

Darryl Bailey,  Awakening

Past present and future

The past is already past — don’t try to regain it. 

The present does not stay, don’t try to touch it from moment to moment. 

The future is not come, don’t think about it beforehand.

Layman Pang, 740 – 808, Chinese Chan layman.

Welcome

So far,  the days keep coming.

Seize the day gently as if you loved her

Jim Harrison, 1937 – 2016, American poet and writer

Sunday Quote: Looking at nature

We bundle up but trees go naked in winter.

Diane Ackerman, American poet and essayist

Words to let sink in

Look at the birds
Consider the lilies
Drink ye all of it
Ask
Seek
Knock
Enter by the narrow gate
Do not be anxious
Judge not; do not give dogs what is holy
Go: be it done for you
Do not be afraid
Maiden, arise
Young man, I say, arise
Stretch out your hand
Stand up, be still
Rise, let us be going…

Kathleen Norris, Imperatives (Extract)