I've never meditated in my life. I don't practice yoga nor any religion. I'm a tourist on the realm of stillness.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the experience of stillness and introspection without the traditional practices associated with it.
Pico Iyer's quote expresses the idea that one can experience moments of stillness and peace without adhering to structured practices like meditation, yoga, or religion. It suggests that even those who do not regularly engage in these activities can still appreciate and tap into the profound quietness of the mind, positioning oneself as an explorer rather than a practitioner within this realm of tranquility.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about mindfulness in a corporate team meeting.
Quitting, for me, means not giving up, but moving on; changing direction not because something doesn’t agree with you, but because you don’t agree with something. It’s not a complaint, in other words, but a positive choice, and not a stop in one’s journey, but a step in a better direction. Quitting-whether a job or a habit-means taking a turn so as to be sure you’re still moving in the direction of your dreams.
I think one reason, obviously, that I spend so much time in one place is that I've been lucky enough to travel a lot, and now there are other different, invisible trains that are more interesting to me.
We travel to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world than our newspapers will accommodate.
I'm no Buddhist monk, and I can't say I'm in love with renunciation in itself, or traveling an hour or more to print out an article I've written, or missing out on the N.B.A. Finals. But at some point, I decided that, for me at least, happiness arose out of all I didn't want or need, not all I did.
The one thing perhaps that technology hasn't always given us is a sense of how to make the wisest use of technology.
In an age of speed, I began to think nothing could be more exhilarating than going slow. In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is more urgent than sitting still.
I have never given adoration to any body except myself.
I feel closer to my country than ever. There is no longer a feeling of lonesome isolation. Instead-peace. I return without fearing prejudice that once bothered me . . . for I know that people practice cruel bigotry in their ignorance, not maliciously
It is a truism to say that the dog is largely what his master makes of him: he can be savage and dangerous, untrustworthy, cringing and fearful; or he can be faithful and loyal, courageous and the best of companions and allies.
The cross reveals that we're called to a deeper, fuller experience of what it means to be alive and open to new dimensions of life which our religious boundaries - creeds, atonement theologies - have kept us from experiencing.
Society is joint action and cooperation in which each participant sees the other partner's success as a means for the attainment of his own.
New Orleans - the real New Orleans - is the soul of the country.
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