The world is vast. Our perception is so often limited. Having options is a wonderful thing, but sometimes it can be overwhelming. Should I stay or go? Should I invest in this or that? Will this decision result in a loss or gain? If we first take a breath and then take a step back, – Read More –
peace
DEFENSE
Defense is the first act of war. Byron Katie shared this wisdom and I think it’s true. As soon as we become defensive, it seems that we invite conflict. I find that I have these moments when I try to create boundaries. Now if I was being like water and letting things flow naturally, this – Read More –
ZEN
Recently, I reread bits of “Zen: The Path of Paradox” by Osho. The book provides a lovely description of Zen, and I was particularly intrigued by this passage, starting with the following sutra: Like the empty sky it has no boundaries, yet it is right in this place, ever profound and clear. Osho then advises, – Read More –
FOCUSED ATTENTION
Most of the time it feels like I have a million things to do. I’m very good at adding projects into my life haha However, I find that I am not able to make progress on any of them unless I focus my attention on one task at at time. As I said to a friend – Read More –
PERSPECTIVE
I am considering the importance of perspective from my hotel room in lovely (but very hot and humid!) Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. I think that life largely gives you what you expect. If you are expecting a difficult situation, full of conflict, that is often what you will receive. Alternatively, if you view the situation as easy – Read More –
THREE TYPES OF PEOPLE
There are three types of people in the world: One who is like carving on a rock, one who is like scratching on the ground, and one who is like writing on the water. What sort of person is like carving on a rock? Imagine a certain person who is always getting angry and his – Read More –
IMPERMANENCE
I always consider water to be the element of Taoism. Water represents flow, impermanence, and humility. You cannot step into the same river twice. Like life, the river changes constantly. From the Tao Te Ching: The highest good is like water. Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive. It flows in – Read More –
TAKE A BREATH
Sometimes when I’m intensely focused on something — or even during a massage! — I will suddenly realize that I’m holding my breath. This does not happen to the point of being unable to breathe, but just enough to make me aware that I’m not relaxed. In those moments of realization, I remind myself – Read More –
DAYBREAK
A Hasidic rabbi, talking about daybreak, the time for certain holy prayers, asked his pupils how they could tell when night had ended and day had begun. “Is it when you can see an animal in the distance and know whether it’s a sheep or a dog?” “No,” answered the rabbi. “Is it,” asked another – Read More –