Live

Before death takes away

what you are given,

give away what there is to give.

~Rumi

Depth needs limited breadth

You must linger among a limited number of master thinkers and digest their words.

Source: Seneca's Letters - Vol 1

Poise

Face all things with gentle faces.

-Dogen Zengi

It is a means to the end

Skin, flesh, blood, bones, marrow and brains are things which are obviously gained by human beings. What is it then that causes the spark to light up in certain individuals?

The Courage To Wait

When you’re like a keg of dynamite about to go off, patience means just slowing down at that point—just pausing—instead of immediately acting on your usual, habitual response. You refrain from acting, you stop talking to yourself, and then you connect with the soft spot. But at the same time you are completely and totally honest with yourself about what you are feeling. You’re not suppressing anything; patience has nothing to do with suppression. In fact, it has everything to do with a gentle, honest relationship with yourself.

Source: Page 41 in the book Practicing Peace in Times of War, by Pema Chodron

When we give rise to delusory feelings, we alienate ourselves from Wisdom.

Source: Shobogenzo - On 'The One Bright Pearl', by Dogen Zengi

Bowing

Peace Sounds

May the kindness, that starts with you
Turn full circle, when it's due
And the flame, that burns your heart
Burn with love, and hold us now we part

'Cause true beauty grows with time
There's no need to hide the light
'Cause true glances reciprocate
Now is the moment worth a life times wait

With a gentle healing touch
Untwist this mind that one promised so much
With simplicity once more new
Recognise a place in worth-while things to do

And those we touch that we call friends
Feel the spirit that transcends
They steer through seasons to warden ends
Taming so sweet, so satisfied an end

So live each day as if your last
How sweet the smile, it comes on fast
Seldom first, more the less
Holding back for those with heavy tasks

So share a moment, hold a hand
Wipe the tears, understand
Life is borrowed we contour
Speed and light and bring your spirit home

May the kindness, that starts with you
Turn full circle, when it's due
And the flame, that warms your heart
Burn with love, and hold us now we part