Quote

It becomes increasingly clear that we won’t be free of self-destructive patterns unless we develop a compassionate understanding of what they are.

Pema Chodron

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Pema Chodron
Age: 88
Born: 1936
Born: July 14
Clergyman
Philosopher
Writer
New York City
New York
Deirdre Blomfield-Brow
Free
Compassionate
Self
Destructive
Patterns
Develop
Unless
Becomes
Clear
Understanding
Increasingly

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The truth you believe and cling to makes you unavailable to hear anything new.
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One way to practice staying present is to simply sit still for a while and listen. For one minute, listen to the sounds close to you. For one minute, listen to the sounds at a distance. Just listen attentively.
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Honesty without kindness, humor, and goodheartedness can be just mean. From the very beginning to the very end, pointing to our own hearts to discover what is true isn’t just a matter of honesty but also of compassion and respect for what we see.
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The essence of bravery is being without self-deception.
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Only to the extent that we expose ourselves over and over to annihilation can that which is indestructible in us be found.
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So many of us start along the spiritual path because we are suffering. But you must realize that for real healing to occur, there must first be deep compassion for yourself, especially the parts of yourself you dislike or consider ugly.
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We feel that we have to be right so that we can feel good... The whole right and wrong business closes us down and makes our world smaller.
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Being preoccupied with our self-image is like being deaf and blind. It's like standing in the middle of a vast field of wildflowers with a black hood over our heads. It's like coming upon a tree of singing birds while wearing earplugs.
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I can't overestimate the importance of accepting ourselves exactly as we are right now, not as we wish we were or think we ought to be.
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Just where you are-that's the place to start!
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By not knowing, not hoping to know and not acting like we know what's happening, we begin to access our inner strength.
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Surrendering, letting go of possessiveness, and complete nonattachment-all are synonyms for accumulating merit.
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In the end, that's what we all need more than anything else: to be there for each other, in every kind of situation.
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Sticking with that uncertainty, getting the knack of relaxing in the midst of chaos, learning not to panic-this is the spiritual path.
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The essence of generosity is letting go. Pain is always a sign that we are holding on to something - usually ourselves.
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Hope and fear come from feeling that we lack something they come from a sense of poverty. We can’t simply relax with ourselves. We hold on to hope, and hope robs us of the present moment. We feel that someone else knows what is going on, but that there is something missing in us, and therefore something is lacking in our world.
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Let your curiosity be greater than your fear.
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The wisdom, the strength, the confidence - the awakened heart and mind are always accessible -- here, now, always.
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When we feel left out, inadequate, or lonely, can we take a warrior’s perspective and contact bodhichitta?
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Let difficulty transform you. And it will. In my experience, we just need help in learning how not to run away.
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