While striving to survive or to "make it big" in any job, business or
profession, we tend to see a less effortful path as at
least strange, if not a frightening, lazy waste of time.
But at some stage, we may start to experience a surprising ambiguity about, & increasing independence from our belongings, status, accomplishments, experiences & relationships. At the same time, we start knowing a profound peace, loving connection & wholeness, that is minimally influenced by our health, financial situation, social status or time left to live.
While still in the striving 'go getter' stage, we're repeatedly devastated by threats / loss / damage to our health / life, financial situation, social status, belongings, status, accomplishments, experiences & relationships. We may rely entirely on growth, or at the very least stability, in income, health, possessions. At the same time - at least subconsciously - we know that 'perpetual growth / stability' is consumer-society's fairy tale. In fact, changes of every kind happen constantly, and unless we die young, aging, sickness & death are inevitable & universal.
Eventually, we all will let go of fairy tales, face reality & learn how to live in harmony with what's real. Mystics, saints, & increasingly, 'ordinary people' around the world are 'awakening' and leave pointers - infinitely more precious than pure gold - to help the rest of us awaken to the profound peace, loving connection & wholeness that is independent of ever-changing circumstances:
"There is a light that shines beyond all things on earth,
beyond the highest, the very highest heavens.
This is the light that shines in your heart."
Chandogya Upanishad
When the Buddha lay dying in a forest grove in Kushinagara,
surrounded by five hundred of his disciples,
he said to them with his last breath:
"It is in the nature of all things that take form
to dissolve again.
Strive with your whole being to Awaken."
"You may imagine that there are many things you need to learn
and realize in order to attain enlightenment. That’s okay.
But essentially, there’s only one thing you absolutely must realize —
surrounded by five hundred of his disciples,
he said to them with his last breath:
"It is in the nature of all things that take form
to dissolve again.
Strive with your whole being to Awaken."
"You may imagine that there are many things you need to learn
and realize in order to attain enlightenment. That’s okay.
But essentially, there’s only one thing you absolutely must realize —
the essential nature of your mind.”
Lama Tharchin Rinpoche
"In search of balance in the relative world, it is helpful to think of everything
— every quality, action, or object — as inseparable from its opposite:
Lama Tharchin Rinpoche
"In search of balance in the relative world, it is helpful to think of everything
— every quality, action, or object — as inseparable from its opposite:
male and female; night and day; inside and outside.
No matter how much you might like to have only the positives in life —
freedom, peace, love —
if you are seeking a static state,
you will always be disappointed.
For every thing also contains its opposite and
For every thing also contains its opposite and
both sides must be balanced:
form & space, creativity & receptivity, activity & rest, growth & decay,
form & space, creativity & receptivity, activity & rest, growth & decay,
manifest creation & the unmanifest source of all creation.
The good news is that, as your sense of balance grows, you’ll find it easier
to integrate the other side, ‘the negatives,’ into your life;
The good news is that, as your sense of balance grows, you’ll find it easier
to integrate the other side, ‘the negatives,’ into your life;
you’ll discover the clarity in the midst of confusion,
the stillness at the center of motion,
and the love that waits behind fear & anger.
If you can learn to dance with the innumerable paradoxes of your life
If you can learn to dance with the innumerable paradoxes of your life
while staying anchored in an extraordinary suppleness & flexibility,
you will create the stability necessary to actually find balance in your life."
Michelle & Joel Levey
Michelle & Joel Levey
"Living in Balance: A Mindful Guide for Thriving in a Complex World."
Divine Arts, 2014.
"Thus shall ye think on all this fleeting world:
A star at dawn,
a bubble in a stream,
a flash of lightning in a summer cloud,
a flickering lamp, a phantom,
and a dream."
Gautama Buddha
Divine Arts, 2014.
"Thus shall ye think on all this fleeting world:
A star at dawn,
a bubble in a stream,
a flash of lightning in a summer cloud,
a flickering lamp, a phantom,
and a dream."
Gautama Buddha
"Diamond Sutra"
“This is essentially our practice, to be conscious & awake moment to moment, and to embody the enlightened values of love, wisdom, & compassion to whatever degree we are capable and willing.”
“This is essentially our practice, to be conscious & awake moment to moment, and to embody the enlightened values of love, wisdom, & compassion to whatever degree we are capable and willing.”
Adyashanti
“May we meet in the silence of the heart, may our practice be committed and joyful, and may we encourage the light and goodness in others
“May we meet in the silence of the heart, may our practice be committed and joyful, and may we encourage the light and goodness in others
whenever and wherever we encounter them.”
Adyashanti
Dive even deeper into independence from dukkha: http://www.johnlovas.com/2020/08/towards-maturity-that-surpasses-common.html
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| by Mollycules www.BuddhaDoodles.com |
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