John Tarrant : Articles
there is one truth you must accept, and that is the presence of suffering. Suffering has causes which can be illuminated in order to be removed. The things I teach will help you attain detachment, equanimity, peace, and liberation.
Thich Nhat Hanh • Old Path White Clouds: The Life Story of the Buddha
Koans just take away the painful beliefs and so provide freedom. What you do with that freedom is up to you.
John Tarrant • Bring Me the Rhinoceros: And Other Zen Koans That Will Save Your Life
Life may be full of pain, suffering, and difficulty, but all of these are opportunities handed to us to help us move toward an emotional acceptance of death.
Sogyal Rinpoche • The Tibetan Book Of Living And Dying: A Spiritual Classic from One of the Foremost Interpreters of Tibetan Buddhism to the West
I once asked the teacher Gil Fronsdal what he did in his own practice. He paused and then smiled and said, “I stop for suffering.” This is where practice begins: facing suffering in ourselves and others.
Rick Hanson • Neurodharma
Here are some rules of thumb that might help you navigate whatever practice you are trying out.
- Criticizing, judging, or assessing yourself isn’t virtue. It doesn’t help in meditation; it’s just more noise. And if you are criticizing, judging, or assessing yourself, don’t criticize that, and so on, until you wear out and compassion enters.
- Criticizin