IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE HIGHEST WISDOM lies in detachment, or, in the words of Chuang-tzu: ‘‘The perfect man employs his mind as a mirror; it grasps nothing; it refuses nothing; it receives, but does not keep.’’ Detachment means to have
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“It takes three to make love, not two: you, your spouse, and God. Without God people only succeed in bringing out the worst in one another. Lovers who have nothing else to do but love each other soon find there is nothing else. Without a central loyalty life is unfinished.”
― Seven Words of Jesus and Mary: Lessons from Cana and Calvary
― Seven Words of Jesus and Mary: Lessons from Cana and Calvary
“There was something immodest about her modesty: it announced itself.”
― Americanah
― Americanah
“There are six ways of describing this kind of cool loneliness: Less desire is the willingness to be lonely without resolution when everything in us yearns for something to change our mood. Contentment means that we no longer believe that escaping our loneliness is going to bring happiness or courage or strength. Avoiding unnecessary activities means that we stop looking for something to entertain us or to save us. Complete discipline means that at every opportunity, we’re willing to come back to the present moment with compassionate attention. Not wandering in the world of desire is about relating directly with how things are, without trying to make them okay. Not seeking security from one’s discursive thoughts means no longer seeking the companionship of constant conversation with ourselves.”
― Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion
― Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion
“Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivating loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of their suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am determined to speak truthfully, with words that inspire self-confidence, joy, and hope. I will not spread news that I do not know to be certain and will not criticize or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord, or that can cause the family or the community to break. I am determined to make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.” This is the Fourth Mindfulness Training,1 and it offers a very good description of Right Speech”
― The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation
― The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation
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