Amma Quote

16-newyear-2

The success of one’s life depends upon one’s ability to forget what is not relevant at the moment.

Amma

You Are Enough Right Now

“You are enough right now, not after further, future achievements, but now, as you are.

Your wisdom is a valuable contribution to others right now, not after further study and life experience, but now, as it is.

You are worthy of respect and compassion right now, as you are, and not just because Brene Brown says so, but she does say so, and she seems like a nice person.

You are wonderfully lovable as you are right now, not at some future point when you’ve purged yourself of every human foible, but now, and not just because Mr. Rogers would say so, but you know he SO would.

You have the inalienable right to be flawed, ordinary, in your stuff, and off-track. These are fundamental to existence, and in no way subtract from any of the above.

Go forth and rock.”

by Fritz Reitz
Quote used with permission

Amma Quote: Finding One’s Self

Self

http://amma.org/

As a Bee Seeks Nectar

As a bee seeks nectar
from all kinds of flowers,
seek teachings everywhere.

Like a deer that finds
a quiet place to graze
seek seclusion to digest
all that you have gathered.

Like a madman
beyond all limits,
go wherever you please,
and live like a lion
completely free from all fear.

Dzogchen tantra

Quote: Howard Thurman

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs;

ask yourself what makes you come alive.

And then go and do that. Because what the world

needs is people who have come alive.”

~ Howard Thurman

Howard Thurman (1899-1981) was raised in the segregated South by his grandmother, who had once been a slave. In 1925 he became an ordained Baptist minister, his first church assignment being Mt Zion Baptist Church in Oberlin, Ohio. After serving as a Professor of Religion at Morehouse and Spelman colleges, Thurman studied with Rufus Jones, head of the Fellowship of Reconciliation. In 1935-36 he took a group of African Americans to India to meet with Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi encouraged them to take the principle of non-violence to the world.

A PBS article on People of Faith stated “In 1944 Thurman left his position as dean at Howard University to co-found the first fully integrated, multi-cultural church in the U.S. in San Francisco, CA. The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples was a revolutionary idea. Founded on the ideal of diverse community with a focus on a common faith in God, Thurman brought people of every ethnic background together to worship and work for peace. ‘Do not be silent; there is no limit to the power that may be released through you.’ “

Howard Thurman was the author of 21 books.

Chinese Proverb: Birds of Sorrow

Vasnetsov_Sirin_Alkonost — Photo Credit: Wikimedia

You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head,

but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.

~ Chinese Proverb

Posted for Eclectic Corner: Momentarily

Quote Regarding Meditation

640px-Kamakura_Budda_Daibutsu_front_1885 — Photo Credit: Wikimedia

Today I was sent a quote that was attributed to Buddha. It said: “Buddha was asked, ‘What have you gained from meditation?’ He replied, ‘Nothing! But let me tell you what I have lost. Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Insecurity, Fear of Old Age and Death.” I loved the quote but decided to check it out. While it can be found all over the internet, it was listed under fake Buddha quotes.

An earlier version of the quote is found in the 1973 publication of World Buddhism, Volume 22 by the World Fellowship of Buddhists. It was not directly attributed to Buddha.

It may be stating the case too strongly to say that in meditation one seeks to gain nothing. For there is an increase in happiness and peace of mind. But when asked, “What have you gained from meditation?” the answer would be: “It is not what I have gained that is important but rather what I have diminished, namely, greed, hatred, and delusion.”

I like thinking of meditation in this way.