Mindfulness: The Art of Living
(misc. quotes)
The
spiritual path is littered with paradoxes and
contradictions. To advance along the path, one must move
swiftly and remain still, take risks and exercise caution,
advance and retreat, learn and unlearn, grasp and let go. To
see unity in endless diversity, to make sense out of seeming
chaos, to see clearly in utter darkness, and to apprehend
the entire universe in a drop of water-- these are the small
(and maybe not-so-small) rewards that we get along the way.
²²²²²²
Stillness implies a state of being rather than one of doing.
Most of the time our minds are busy doing something, such as
processing thoughts, memories, emotional impulses, and so
on. All too often we get so consumed by our mental
preoccupations that we are not aware of much else.
Mindfulness does not mean that we should suppress our
thoughts and feelings in any way-- just that we should be
aware of them as they arise. When we're thinking, we should
be aware that we're thinking; when we're remembering, we
should be aware that we're remembering; when we're feeling
upset, we should be aware that we're feeling upset. By
keeping watch on our mental contents, we subtly shift our
attention away from our mental doings toward the vast,
sacred silence that is our inner being. When our awareness
is centered on inner being, we become more human, more
alive. After all, we are human beings, not human automatons.
²²²²²²
When we turn
inward to look at ourselves, we shift our attention away
from the contents of our minds toward that which gives rise
to them. We then gain access to a deeper level of reality
beyond mental phenomena. This formless, nameless inner
silence cannot be conceptualized in any way. The only way to
know it is through experiential knowledge, through pure
awareness. To be mindful is to be aware.
²²²²²²
Stillness is the essence of infinite
happiness and lasting contentment. Some people travel to
exotic destinations to look for happiness and excitement.
The sheer strangeness and wonder of the new place may shock
their senses into the excitement they seek. But this
temporary excitement should not to be mistaken for true,
lasting happiness. True happiness does not require us to
travel to a beautiful tropical island half the world away.
It is here now. Finding it is just a matter of waking up to
the present moment.
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