thepersonalwords:

“don’t think. It complicates things. just feel and if it feels like home follow its path.”

— R.M Drake, R.M Drake Collection

ihearyourmelody:

Perhaps

We should love ourself

So fiercely,

That when others see us

They know exactly

How it should be done.

Rudy Francisco

tor-ta:

purplebuddhaquotes:

“Remember this also: it’s always easy to look back and see what we were, yesterday, ten years ago. It is hard to see what we are. If you can master that trick, you’ll get along.”

— Harper Lee

(Source: purplebuddhaquotes)

thepersonalquotes:

Myths about Soul Mates

onlinecounsellingcollege:

1. The relationship should be natural, easy and uncomplicated: The truth is that all relationships take time, effort, commitment and energy. You need to make time for each other, to do fun things together, to work on communication, and to learn to negotiate and compromise.

2. The relationship should be conflict free: Because we are each individual and unique we all disagree with others at times, so conflict is natural, and not to be feared. In fact, conflict can force us to confront our differences, and to grow as individuals, and as couples too.

3. Soul mates are romantic: Real life is not the movies, and love can be expressed in countless different ways, and still be genuine. Look out for all the signs that show your partner cares, and don’t be disappointed if they’re not “the stereotype”. Don’t force them to be something that is maybe nor their style.

4. You should always see things the same way and have the same opinions, outlooks and beliefs: You both have different backgrounds and have individual brains so you’re going to sometimes differ in the way you look at life. That needn’t be a problem – you don’t want to be clones.

5. My soul mate will always like and love me: Consideration, respect and a concern for your partner are symptoms of a loving relationship. But being rude and disrespectful or irresponsible are not endearing qualities that build relationships. Instead, we need to give to get – as it’s not “all about me”.

weltenwellen:

“It’s not the weight you carry but how you carry it – books, bricks, grief – it’s all in the way you embrace it, balance it, carry it when you cannot, and would not, put it down.”

— Mary Oliver, from “Heavy”, published in “Thirst: Poems”

Feel Good Zen

zenmister:

Zen is not a warm and fuzzy practice, except when your experience is warm and fuzzy. Zen is a practice of rigorous discipline designed to help practitioners realize their True Nature. This realization may be confused with a specific state of mind. It may be idealized as enlightenment. It may be seen as a great spiritual goal. It may be a confirmation of something you have always known. It may feel good.

The goal of Zen is not personal enlightenment or realization. That is a stepping stone. That is another moment. The primary goal is the Buddhist goal of relieving suffering for all beings. The goal is not to sit on a mountaintop in eternal bliss, but to compassionately engage with the world to bring an end to suffering. That is a lofty goal. Understanding that goal, places the other lofty goal of personal realization much closer. Understanding that larger goal and our role in realizing it, produces a sense of the humility with which we approach these goals. It is a fine line between humility and futility, but it is clear that we cannot achieve that goal alone. If I can stop suffering and you are still suffering, I am only half way there, and I am nowhere at all.

A beautiful byproduct of all these practitioners throughout time and around the world, on mountaintops and on city streets, practicing pointedly to end suffering is that they have discovered  and developed techniques and skills to help people who are not interested in discovering their True Nature. Some people reach for a warm fuzzy cat to feel good, others reach for Zen. Those who immerse themselves in Zen, feel good sometimes and feel lousy sometimes, they use both feelings to help them remain present and look into how things are.

Wanting to feel good is a natural place to begin exploring Zen, mindfulness, meditation, alcoholism, drug abuse, and other feel-good practices. When we notice that desire to feel good, we notice it from a place of suffering. One thing we can learn from Zen is to meet that suffering, directly, with compassion. Whether we practice Zen in a cave for nine years, or conversationally at parties, meeting suffering with compassion, rather than hiding it under a warm and fuzzy blanket is a way to feel better. Compassion is our essence, it is a skill, and also, it feels good.

emotionalwords: