There’s an interesting transition that occurs naturally and spontaneously. We begin to find that, to the degree that there is bravery in ourselves- the willingness to look, to point directly at our own hearts- and to the degree that there is kindness toward ourselves, there is confidence that we can actually forget ourselves and open to the world.
The only reason that we don’t open our hearts and minds to other people is that they trigger confusion in us that we don’t feel brave enough or sane enough to deal with. To the degree that we look clearly and compassionately at ourselves, we feel confident and fearless about looking into someone else’s eyes.
When we begin just to try to accept ourselves, the ancient burden of self-importance lightens up considerably. Finally there’s room for genuine inquisitiveness, and we find we have an appetite for what’s out there.
~Pema Chödrön
clouds. rain. dust. clean.
inquiry for today~ how do you take these simple ways and really use them?
If you’re desperately unhappy and are really with your unhappiness, that is much more to the point than if you’re beaming happily and numb inside. It is also truer practice. Mindfulness doesn’t make you happy all the time. It’s that you’re living your life as it is right now. That’s what it means to calm mental processes.
But the way to freedom in the world of feelings is to go into them; you can’t go over or around them. Being free doesn’t mean you don’t feel them. You just approach them differently.
~Thich Nhat Hanh
Make Believe Boutique 