“To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowed in prayer.” Ghandi

there is only the first wound and other traumas that follow are a reflection.

This is how we love, Buddha-style: impartial to all, free from excessive attachment or false hope and expectation; accepting, tolerant, and forgiving. Buddhist nonattachment doesn't imply complacence or indifference, or not having committed relationships or being passionately engaged with society, but rather has to do with our effort to defy change and resist the fact of impermanence and our mortality. By holding on to that which in any case is forever slipping through our fingers, we just get rope burn.

You only lose what you cling to

Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something,and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent.

Happiness does not come from having much, but from being attached to little

The only reason we don't open our hearts and minds to other people is that they trigger confusion in us that we don't feel brave enough or sane enough to deal with. To the degree that we look clearly and compassionately at ourselves, we feel confident and fearless about looking into someone else's eyes. Pema Chodron

Do not pursue the past.Do not lose yourself in the future.The past no longer is.The future has not yet come.Looking deeply at life as it is.In the very here and now, the practitioner dwells in stability and freedom.We must be diligent today.To wait until tomorrow is too late.Death comes unexpectedly.How can we bargain with it?The sage calls a person who knows how to dwell in mindfulness night and day,'one who knows the better way to live alone.'Bhaddekaratta Sutta

What you eat cannot purify your mind - but is there greed behind your choice of eating? If yes, the mind that eats is not pure - be your choice vegetarian or not.

Reconciliation is to understand both sides; to go to one side and describe the suffering being endured by the other side, and then go to the other side and describe the suffering being endured by the first side.

The purpose of all the major religious traditions is not to construct big temples on the outside, but to create temples of goodness and compassion inside, in our hearts. - Dalhi Lama

Daily Necessities
Tips & pointers for building a spiritual life from scratch

Pray
Meditate
Be aware
Stay awake
Bow
Practise yoga
Feel
Chant and sing
Breathe and smile
Relax
Enjoy
Laugh
Play
Create
Envision
Let Go
Forgive
Accept
Walk
Exercise
Move
Work
Serve
Contribute
Listen
Learn
Enquire
Consider
Reflect
Cultivate oneself
Enhance competencies
Cultivate contentment
Cultivate flexibility
Cultivate friendship and collaboration
Lighten up
Celebrate and appreciate
Dream
Give thanks
Evolve
Love
Share
Give
Receive
Walk softly
Live gently
Expand
Radiate
Dissolve
Simplify
Surrender
Trust
Be born anew
--from Awakening The Buddha Within by Lama Surya Das

Believe nothing on the faith of traditions, even though they have been held in honor for many generations and in diverse places. Do not believe a thing because many people speak of it. Do not believe on the faith of the sages of the past. Do not believe what you yourself have imagined, persuading yourself that a God inspires you.Believe nothing on the sole authority of your masters and priests. After examination, believe what you yourself have tested and found to be reasonable, and conform your conduct thereto.

Be Still

Training is needed in order to love properly; and to be able to give happiness and joy, you must practice DEEP LOOKING directed toward the other person you love. Because if you do not understand this person, you cannot love properly. Understanding is the essence of love. If you cannot understand, you cannot love. That is the message of the Buddha

We really have to understand the person we want to love. If our love is only a will to possess, it is not love. If we only think of ourselves, if we know only our own needs and ignore the needs of the other person, we cannot love.

Things are not what they appear to be: nor are they otherwise. - Surangama Sutra

These reported events are like an arrow shot at my heart but it lands at my feet. I choose not to bend over, pick it up, and stab myself with it.

All know the Way, but few actually walk it.

In criticizing, the teacher is hoping to teach. That's all. -- Bankei