Tunneling for Sunlight: Twenty-One Maxims of Living Wisdom from Buddhism and Japanese Psychology to Cope with Difficult Times
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Saved by Lael Johnson and
Tunneling for Sunlight: Twenty-One Maxims of Living Wisdom from Buddhism and Japanese Psychology to Cope with Difficult Times
Saved by Lael Johnson and
Surrender to the music—whatever happens to be playing at the moment. Dance your way through life.
Suppose you could start your day with a sense that you were entitled to nothing. Everything, at that point, would truly be received and experienced as a gift.
So perhaps we can take a lesson from our friends, the trees, and simply do our best with whatever situation we encounter. The conditions of our lives will always be less than ideal. But just to be planted on this earth for a brief period of time is truly a gift that we should continuously reflect on.
The haiku poet, Issa, represents this profound experience in one of his most famous poems: The world of dew is the world of dew. And yet, and yet … He wrote this poem after the funeral of his baby daughter.
Ichi Go Ichi E is a Japanese phrase that literally means “one time, one meeting.” However it is often translated as “once in a lifetime encounter.”
The alternative is not to kick your feelings out of the play. The alternative is to make them an actor. They have a role to play. Sometimes it’s an important role, and sometimes they function as an “extra.” So now who is the director? Let’s give that job to the Needs of the Situation. You’re taking a walk and spot an empty, dirty beer can. What do
... See moreThese are the times when you have to see your life as your practice. Whatever comes up, that’s your practice. If you feel like life is crushing you and you think, “I don’t want to use this as practice – I’m being crushed.” Then working with that thought, that experience, is your practice.
We must learn to approach what we have an aversion to. We must learn to attend to what makes us uncomfortable. We need not avoid what we don’t like, simply because we don’t like it. The first thing to know is that it’s possible to act while having feelings of fear, anxiety, boredom, shyness, disinterest, frustration or any other feeling which accom
... See moreThe maxim, “I Get to . . .” is the antidote to living a reluctant life. I get to walk the dog. I get to wash the dishes. I get to go to the supermarket for food. The phrase I Get to implies that it is a privilege to do such activities – a blessing.