Thoughts For This Moment

“Suffering usually relates to wanting things to be different from the way they are.”

Anon

“Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different; enjoying it without holding on when it changes (which it will); being with the unpleasant without fearing it will always be this way (which it won’t).” – James Baraz”Allan Lokos

“Treat everyone you meet as if they were you.” 

Doug Dillon

“One doesn't have to be religious to lead a moral life or attain wisdom.” 

Allan Lokos

“We have negative mental habits that come up over and over again. One of the most significant negative habits we should be aware of is that of constantly allowing our mind to run off into the future. Perhaps we got this from our parents. Carried away by our worries, we're unable to live fully and happily in the present. Deep down, we believe we can't really be happy just yet—that we still have a few more boxes to be checked off before we can really enjoy life. We speculate, dream, strategize, and plan for these "conditions of happiness" we want to have in the future; and we continually chase after that future, even while we sleep. We may have fears about the future because we don't know how it's going to turn out, and these worries and anxieties keep us from enjoying being here now.” 

Thich Nhát Hanh

“The simple act of being completely attentive & present to another person is an act of love, and it fosters unshakeable well-being.” 

Sharon Salzberg

“Maybe” (Taoist story)

Once upon a time, there was a wise old farmer who had worked on the land for over 40 years. One morning, while walking to his stable, he noticed that his horse had run away. His neighbours came to visit and sympathetically said to the farmer, “Such bad luck”.

“Maybe,” the farmer replied. The following morning, however, the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. “Such good luck,” the neighbours exclaimed.

“Maybe,” the farmer replied. The following afternoon, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses and was thrown off, causing him to break his leg. The neighbours came to visit and tried to show sympathy and said to the farmer, “how unfortunate”. 

“Maybe,” answered the farmer. The following morning military officials came to the farmer’s village to draft young men into the army to fight in a new war. Observing that the farmer’s son’s leg was broken, they did not draft him into the war. 

The neighbours congratulated him on his good luck and the farmer calmly replied, “Maybe”.” (fin)

“Happiness is a skill. It requires effort and time”.

Matthieu Ricard ( The happiest man in the world)