The essence of generosity is letting go. Pain is always a sign that we are holding on to something — usually ourselves. When we feel unhappy, when we feel inadequate, we get stingy; we hold on tight. Generosity is an activity that loosens us up. By offering whatever we can — a dollar, a flower, a word of encouragement — we are training in letting go.
Pema Chödron
from the book The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times
Read a random quote or see all quotes by Pema Chödron.
Further quotes from the book The Places That Scare You:
- At least until you die
- Everyday uncertainty
- The anxiety of opening
- Being inspired by everyday good fortune
- The first mark of existence
- Forgive into freshness
- Compassion takes courage
- A flexible identity
- Threefold purity
- Our true nature and condition
- Awakening our unlimited potential
- Happiness
- Dissolving our self-importance
- Cultivating equanimity
- Cultivating equanimity
- Doing all with one intention
- Stay!
- Whatever we encounter
- Dissolving our fear