Sublime
An inspiration engine for ideas
We get to be the sky, as Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön says, and realize that “everything else—it’s just the weather.”
Jessica Dore • Tarot for Change: Using the Cards for Self-Care, Acceptance, and Growth
So whenever we wander off, we gently encourage ourselves to ‘stay’ and settle down. Are we experiencing restlessness? Stay! Discursive mind? Stay! Are fear and loathing out of control? Stay! Aching knees and throbbing back? Stay! What’s for lunch? Stay! What am I doing here? Stay! I can’t stand this another minute! Stay!
Pema Chödrön • The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness
Trungpa Rinpoche gave a definition of taking refuge that was pinned up on our bulletin board the other day. It begins with an absolute statement: “Since all things are naked, clear from obscurations, there is nothing to attain or realize.” But then Rinpoche goes further and makes it very practical. “The everyday practice is simply to develop a
... See morePema Chödrön • The Wisdom of No Escape: And the Path of Loving Kindness
seeing difficulties as teachers. If there is no teacher around to give us direct personal guidance on how to stop causing harm, never fear! Life itself will provide opportunities for learning how to hold our seat. Without the inconsiderate neighbor, where will we find the chance to practice patience?
Pema Chodron • The Places That Scare You
The word for loving-kindness in Sanskrit is maitri. Maitri is also translated as unconditional friendliness. So each time you say to yourself “thinking,” you are cultivating that unconditional friendliness toward whatever arises in your mind.
Pema Chodron • When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times (Shambhala Classics)
Consider how the sky is unharmed by the clouds that pass through it, whether they are light and fluffy-looking or dark and formidable. A mountain is not moved by the winds blowing over it, whether gentle or fierce. The ocean is not destroyed by the waves moving on its surface, whether high or low. In just that way, no matter what we experience,
... See moreSharon Salzberg • Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness (Shambhala Classics)
Tara Brach, in her book Radical Acceptance,
Pema Chodron • Living Beautifully: with Uncertainty and Change
Meditation practice isn’t about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better. It’s about befriending who we are already.
Pema Chödrön • The Pocket Pema Chodron (Shambhala Pocket Classics)
We can gradually drop our ideals of who we think we ought to be, or who we think we want to be, or who we think other people think we want to be or ought to be. We give it up and just look directly with compassion and humor at who we are. Then loneliness is no threat and heartache, no punishment.