Natural spaciousness

Silence refers to the fact that we are originally free from all narratives and constructs of self. Mind precedes everything; it is the precursor to experience. So in understanding the nature of mind and gaining insight, you see that all things are impermanent, all things have no abidance, and are intimately connected. That is the realization of no-self, selflessness. This true nature of our mind is free from the coming and going of fragmented, scattered, discriminating thoughts....You don’t have to do anything to make them to disappear. I often give the analogy that this room we’re in – its spaciousness – is really not affected by all the furniture and the people in it. 

Guo Gu, Silent Illumination

Unmoving

We have had three storms pass over us in the last few days. Strong winds. In a similar way, each day contains a lot of conditioned events which pass through – a succession of little births and deaths. There is always a dialogue between these changing conditions and our underlying nature.

A monk asked, ”How can one escape from birth, old age, sickness, and death?”
Lingyun said, ”The green mountain is fundamentally unmoving, but the floating clouds pass back and forth.”

Lingyun Zhiqin, 9th Century Chan Master

Sunday Quote: Free

Never pray to be a better slave when God is trying to get you out of your situation

Shannon L. Alder

Humble places

Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.

Camille Pissarro, 1830 – 1903, Danish-French Impressionist/ Neo-Impressionist painter

What peace is

Peace is this moment without judgement.

This moment in the heart-space where everything that is, is welcome.

Dorothy Hunt, Peace Is This Moment Without Judgment

Sunday Quote: Self

The mind creates many senses of self as it pursues what it desires or responds to lacks in our environment. We often identify with these adaptations, even if they are not worth calling our self

On the journey to myself I’ve been so many people

Indigo Williams, English Poet