Most of us have spent our lives caught up in plans, expectations, ambitions for the future; in regrets, guilt or shame about the past. To come into the present is to stop the war.
Jack KornfieldRead
Within each of us there is a silence as vast as the universe. We long for it. We can return to it.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the profound inner peace that exists within individuals, akin to the vastness of the universe.
Jack Kornfield's quote speaks to the deep sense of stillness and tranquility that resides within every person. It suggests that amidst the chaos and noise of life, there is a silent space within us that is expansive and fulfilling, where we can find solace and a sense of connection to something greater. By recognizing and returning to this inner silence, we can nurture our well-being and sense of purpose.
In practice
During a mindfulness retreat where participants seek to connect with their inner selves.
Most of us have spent our lives caught up in plans, expectations, ambitions for the future; in regrets, guilt or shame about the past. To come into the present is to stop the war.
We need courage and strength, a kind of warrior spirit. But the place for this warrior strength is in the heart. We need energy, commitment, and courage not to run from our life nor to cover it over with any philosophy-mate rial or spiritual. We need a warriorβs heart that lets us face our lives directly, our pains and limitations, our joys and possibilities.
The questions asked at the end of lie are very simple ones: Did I love well? Did I love the people around me, my community, the earth, in a deep way? And perhaps, Did I live fully? Did I offer myself to life?
We can bring our spiritual practice into the streets, into our communities, when we see each realm as a temple, as a place to discover that which is sacred.
According to Buddhist scriptures, compassion is the "quivering of the pure heart" when we have allowed ourselves to be touched by the pain of life.
Much of spiritual life is self-acceptance, maybe all of it.
We've been programmed, from the time that we were very, very little, about what we can't do - about what is impossible.
Nothing can temper the spirit of a warrior as much as the challenge of dealing with impossible people in positions of power. Only under those conditions can warriors acquire the sobriety and serenity to withstand the pressure of the unknowable.
The painful thing is that when we buy into disapproval, we are practicing disapproval. When we buy into harshness, we are practicing harshness. The more we do it, the stronger these qualities become. How sad it is that we become so expert at causing harm to ourselves and others. The trick then is to practice gentleness and letting go. We can learn to meet whatever arises with curiosity and not make it such a big deal.
The ego wants to want more than it wants to have.
Service brings merit, merit allows you to go deeper in meditation, meditation brings back your smile.
All that is gold does not glitter,_x000D_ Not all those who wander are lost;_x000D_ The old that is strong does not wither,_x000D_ Deep roots are not reached by the frost._x000D_ _x000D_ From the ashes a fire shall be woken,_x000D_ A light from the shadows shall spring;_x000D_ Renewed shall be blade that was broken,_x000D_ The crownless again shall be king.
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