When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times (Shambhala Classics)
by Pema Chodron
added by Madeline and · updated 3d ago
by Pema Chodron
added by Madeline and · updated 3d ago
Fear of death is the background of the whole thing. It’s why we feel restless, why we panic, why there’s anxiety. But if we totally experience hopelessness, giving up all hope of alternatives to the present moment, we can have a joyful relationship with our lives, an honest, direct relationship, one that no longer ignores the reality of impermanenc
... See morePhilip Powis added 2mo ago
Thinking that we can find some lasting pleasure and avoid pain is what in Buddhism is called samsara, a hopeless cycle that goes round and round endlessly and causes us to suffer greatly.
Philip Powis added 2mo ago
Letting there be room for not knowing is the most important thing of all.
Philip Powis added 2mo ago
making friends with our own demons and their accompanying insecurity leads to a very simple, understated relaxation and joy.
Philip Powis added 2mo ago
We can have whiter teeth, a weed-free lawn, a strife-free life, a world without embarrassment. We can live happily every after. This pattern keeps us dissatisfied and causes us a lot of suffering.
Philip Powis added 2mo ago
Having compassion starts and ends with having compassion for all those unwanted parts of ourselves, all those imperfections that we don’t even want to look at. Compassion isn’t some kind of self-improvement project or ideal that we’re trying to live up to.
Philip Powis added 2mo ago
What it implies is that pain comes from holding so tightly to having it our own way and that one of the main exits we take when we find ourselves uncomfortable, when we find ourselves in an unwanted situation or an unwanted place, is to blame.
Philip Powis added 2mo ago
“small mind.” It can also be described as sem. In Tibetan there are several words for mind, but two that are particularly helpful to know are sem and rikpa. Sem is what we experience as discursive thoughts, a stream of chatter that’s always reinforcing an image of ourselves. Rikpa literally means “intelligence” or “brightness.” Behind all the plann
... See morePhilip Powis added 2mo ago
The first noble truth of the Buddha is that when we feel suffering, it doesn’t mean that something is wrong. What a relief. Finally somebody told the truth. Suffering is part of life, and we don’t have to feel it’s happening because we personally made the wrong move.
Philip Powis added 2mo ago