Khenpo GangsharDistraction is simply mind; as are like and dislike, hope and fear, good and bad, and clean and dirty — whenever you experience them adhere to cause and effect, be careful, and keep a low profile. Don’t be frivolous or vulgar, but be in harmony with those around you, letting all emotions and attitudes of like and dislike be purified in their own space.
Control over appearances ~ Khenpo Tsultrim Rinpoche
Khenpo Tsultrim RinpocheHaving control over appearances does not mean jumping off buildings and flying. Rather, it means that you do not cling to appearances as they seem to be in the usual worldly way of relating to them. Such appearances will not cause you suffering or tie you up once you have gained mastery over them through not clinging.
It is prajna realizing selflessness that frees you from samsara. Through knowing appearances to be inseparable from emptiness, you have mastery over them. It is not necessary to engage in behavior that is contrary to a mundane way of seeing things.
Reflections ~ Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
Thinley Norbu RinpocheThe Buddha is omniscient: his mind is like the sky. He does not show anything: what appears is a reflection. If sentient beings have direction, it is reflected. If sentient beings have a time, it is reflected.
Beginning to trust in your basic goodness ~ Pema Chödron
Pema ChödronThe teacher serves as a mirror but also encourages your ability to trust in yourself. You begin to trust in your basic goodness instead of identifying with your neurosis. There’s a shift of allegiance. Then the obstacles begin to seem temporary, and what’s permanent is the wisdom. To the degree that you become intimate with your neurosis — not acting-out and not repressing — to that degree you discover your wisdom.
Blaming others ~ 14th Dalai Lama
14th Dalai LamaWhen you think everything is someone else’s fault, you will suffer a lot.
Just resting in the open present ~ Mingyur Rinpoche
Mingyur RinpocheThat’s how to rest the mind in objectless shinay meditation: as though you’ve just finished a long day of work. Just let go and relax. You don’t have to block whatever thoughts, emotions, or sensations arise, but neither do you have to follow them. Just rest in the open present, simply allowing whatever happens to occur.
Fully conscious of the present situation ~ Bokar Rinpoche
Bokar RinpocheMental calming implies as much clarity as possible, allied with a deep feeling of freedom. When we contemplate the sea during the day we can see stones and seaweed deep down through the clear water. Our meditation should have the same clarity, which allows us to be fully conscious of the present situation.
Intention to benefit all sentient beings ~ Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
Dzongsar Khyentse RinpocheNo matter which dharma practice you engage in, from ngöndro to offering a single candle, always do it with the intention that your practice will benefit all sentient beings. In this context, “benefit” does not only mean giving practical help, such as offering food or medicine, or feeding people’s emotions, egos and delusions. Here, “benefit” includes aspiring to be instrumental in the enlightenment of all sentient beings; without such an aspiration, it is easy for dharma practice to become self-serving.
Letting the Heart Lead ~ 17th Karmapa
17th KarmapaWe need to let the heart lead. Compassion is indispensable; it is the single most important factor we need if we are going to have any real success in protecting the environment, in creating a just society, or simply in living wholesome, happy lives.
The awakened heart itself ~ Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Dilgo Khyentse RinpocheWhy is compassion of foremost importance in the Buddha’s teachings? Because it is the root of all the vastness and profundity of the bodhisattva path. Compassion is the awakened heart itself.
Avoiding harsh words ~ Gyelse Tokme Zangpo
Gyelse Tokme ZangpoThe practice of all the bodhisattvas is to avoid harsh words,
Which others might find unpleasant or distasteful,
Since abusive language upsets the minds of others,
And thereby undermines a bodhisattva’s conduct.
Walk and touch peace every moment ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Thich Nhat HanhWalk and touch peace every moment.
Walk and touch happiness every moment.
Each step brings a fresh breeze.
Each step makes a flower bloom.
Kiss the earth with your feet.
Bring the earth your love and happiness.
The earth will be safe
When we feel safe in ourselves.
Wonderful journey ~ Matsuo Bashō
Matsuo BashōEvery day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.
Seeing death with every breath ~ Ajahn Chah
Ajahn ChahThe Buddha told his disciple Ananda to see impermanence, to see death with every breath. We must know death; we must die in order to live. What does that mean? To die is to come to the end of our doubts, all our questions, and just be here with the present reality. You can never die tomorrow; you must die now. Can you do it? If you can do it, you will know the peace of no more questions.
Shedding our covers ~ Chögyam Trungpa
Chögyam TrungpaAccording to the Buddhist tradition, we don’t ever get new wisdom, nor does any foreign element come into our state of mind at all. Rather, practice is a question of waking up and shedding our covers. We have those goodies in us already; we only have to uncover them.
Elegance ~ Chögyam Trungpa
Chögyam TrungpaElegance means appreciating things as they are. There is a sense of delight and of fearlessness.
With two widely opened white wings ~ Chandrakirti
ChandrakirtiWith two widely opened white wings
Of relative truth [skillful means] and absolute truth [wisdom]
The kings of swans [bodhisattvas] and their flock of swans [disciples]
Soar through the ocean of supreme Buddha qualities.
From the head to the heart ~ Ringu Tulku
Ringu TulkuIt is sometimes said that the longest journey we take is the journey from the head to the heart.
Any moment ~ 16th Karmapa
16th KarmapaAny brief moment, any time at all that one could use as an opportunity for dharma practice, one must use.
The greatest charity ~ Bodhidharma
BodhidharmaTo give up yourself without regret is the greatest charity.