The human body is a cage. Within it is imprisoned the spirit or soul, which is like a bird in a cage. The bird is in love with the cage and is always singing songs of attachment for the earth. If, however, the covers, or bodies, are cast off from the soul, the bird begins … Continue reading Realm of Truth
Keep quieting down until you enter a space in the universe where you are love. Then, instead of going around like a dry sponge trying to be moistened by the outside world, you go around watering everything you see. ~Ram Dass (1931 to 2019, Spiritual Teacher and Mystic)
Worrying about scarcity is our culture’s way of manifesting post-traumatic stress syndrome. It occurs when we’ve been through too much, and instead of coming together to heal (which requires vulnerability) we get angry, scared, and fight with our fellow human beings. ~Brené Brown (1965 to pres., Research Psychologist)
Removing the energy out of the traumatic experiences that formed us is a big job. Don’t think of it as a waste of time. It’s our spiritual work. We’re cleaning our hearts of anger, betrayal, hurt, damage, grief, and shame, all the stuff that we’ve learned and absorbed as children in our families and in … Continue reading Spiritual Work
The heart is basically as radiant and vast and open as the sky itself. It’s always thus. But, to be resting there, means resting in this openness. Resting in the empty nature of things, including the nature of the sense of self. When we’ve lost connection with our heart, is there anything more important than … Continue reading The Heart
A practice of gratitude is not about dismissing sadness, anger, fear, or confusion. Rather, it offers us the opportunity to see that we often experience multiple feelings at once; to welcome joy into the same places where we hold grief; to turn our attention to what is quietly growing and breathing day by day, which, … Continue reading Gratitude
Risk itself is a process of constant unfolding. And taking risks is the process of peeling back the layers of what you are and who you want to be. ~Phoebe Eng (Author, lecturer, social activist)
Part of the joy of selflessness is that as we become selfless much greater forces of what life is move through us. All that you need to do is to keep coming back to the present and what needs to open in you will. You can really trust that. ~Jack Kornfield (1945 to pres., Clinical … Continue reading Selflessness
In meditation, the state of tranquility provides contentment and peace that are the basis for a deep and sublime sense of well-being. This is a happiness that’s not possible when the mind is restless or preoccupied. ~Gil Fronsdal (1954 to pres., Soto Zen and Vipassana Teacher)
Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. ~Pema Chodron (1936 to pres., Buddhist Teacher)