Buddhist teacher Jack Kornfield in A Lamp in the Darkness writes, "The world offers perennial renewal, in the grass that pushes itself up between the cracks in the sidewalk, in the end of every torrential rainstorm and in every newly planted windowbox, in every unexpected revolution, with each new morning's light. This unstoppable spirit of renewal is in you. Trust it. Learn that it flows through you and all of life.
In Jeremiah, the Bible promises that we "shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."
Buddhist teacher Jack Kornfield in A Lamp in the Darkness writes, "The world offers perennial renewal, in the grass that pushes itself up between the cracks in the sidewalk, in the end of every torrential rainstorm and in every newly planted windowbox, in every unexpected revolution, with each new morning's light. This unstoppable spirit of renewal is in you. Trust it. Learn that it flows through you and all of life.
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From Buddhist teacher Jack Kornfield's book Lamp in the Darkness:
"No matter what situation we find ourselves in, we can always set our compass to our highest intentions in the present moment. Perhaps it is nothing more than being in a heated conversation with another person and stopping to take a break and asking yourself, 'What is my highest intention in this moment?" If you have enough awareness to take this small step, your heart will give you an answer that will take the conversation in a different, more positive direction. Or before you enter a room to speak to those with whom you are in conflict, you can pause, take a breath, and ask yourself, 'What is my highest intention in this situation?" With simple steps like these, you can behave in ways that at least will not fuel your difficulties-or anyone else's. As Albert Camus wrote, 'We all carry within us our places of exile, our crimes, our ravages. But our task is not to unleash them on the world; it is to fight them in ourselves and others." Inspired by the podcasts of spiritual teacher Tara Brach:
Today, feel the presence of Love, Divine Presence, surrounding you in a safe enveloping hug and whispering to you "forgiven, forgiven." You are forgiven your sadnesses and failings, your smallness and weaknesses and ignorance. It is not guilt, self-doubt, and self-punishment but forgiveness that allows us to see clearly, make amends, make changes, and forgive others. Rest in those arms holding you and assuring you, "forgiven, forgiven." |
AuthorTarn Wilson is the author of the memoir The Slow Farm and numerous essays. You may read more of her work at tarnwilson.com. Archives
September 2020
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