Tag: Mindfulness

Not taken in

Karl Duffy1 Comment

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There is  great psychological wisdom in the ancient texts as to how to deal with the strong emotions stirred up by challenges we face every day. Being able to see, without making it a story about ourselves:

You shouldn’t chase after the past, and don’t place expectations on the future.
The past no longer is. The future has not yet come.

Whatever is present in life as it is in the very here and now
you clearly see, right there, right there.
Not taken in.  You dwell in stability and freedom

That’s how you develop the heart.

The Buddha, Bhaddekaratta Sutta, Majjhima Nikaya No.131.

Complete

Karl Duffy1 Comment

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We do not have to have everything sorted out in our lives for them to be complete and us to be happy.

A lot of disappointed people have been left

standing on the street corner

waiting for the bus marked Perfection

Donald Kennedy

photo kai hendry

Every day is a good day

Karl DuffyLeave a comment

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In Zen practice a koan is a phrase, a conversation, or a saying that a mediator reflects on in order to point to a way of being in the world. The phrase in held in mind –  sometimes for months or years at a time –  to unravel an openness in practitioners, allowing them to enter into inner regions beyond knowing.

I like keeping this one in mind, which is presented here in a commentary on a saying of Ummon, an 8th Century Zen Master. It challenges my normal commentary and takes me out of the thoughts I buy into every day. Maybe I already have everything I need right now: 

Ummon introduced the subject by saying:

I do not ask you about fifteen days ago. But what about in fifteen days time? Come, say a word about this.

He himself replied for them: Every day is a good day.

Commentary by Suzuki : Today does not become yesterday, and Dōgen states that today does not become tomorrow.

Each day is its own past and future and has its own absolute value.

From  a transcript of a talk by Suzuki-roshi,  Thursday, November 1st, 1962

Simple

Karl Duffy1 Comment

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The meaning of life is just to be alive.

It is so plain and so obvious and so simple.

And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic

as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.

Alan Watts.

photo asio otus

Sunday Quote: Restless

Karl Duffy2 Comments

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Today marks the start of Advent – the start of a new year in the Christian Calendar, this year occurring between the shopping festivals of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Two different views of what makes us happy. One feeds the ever wanting heart, which sees only what can be bought. The other feeds, as a friend reminded me yesterday, that part of us which cannot be seen, that which is hidden:

If your soul is un-wanting, you will see what  is hidden.

The ever-wanting soul is forever chasing
only what it wants.

Lau Tzu, Tao Te Ching

photo amada44

Saturday: Moments which contain everything

Karl Duffy1 Comment

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Look, I want to love this world

as though it’s the last chance I’m ever going to get

to be alive

and know it.

Mary Oliver, October

photo CSIRO