Stopping is the basic Buddhist practice of meditation. You stop running. You stop struggling. You allow yourself to rest, to heal, to calm.

~

Thich Nhat Hanh

the basic practice of stopping before we begin or continue, even if only for a moment or a few breaths, can also provide the space to ground ourselves and allow a freedom to choose what thoughts to go with or let go of, what words to say, and what actions to take, choosing what is beneficial rather than what continues the patterns of harm and cycle of suffering.

~j

#stop #pause #breathe #rest #TheLongArc #PlantingSeeds #practice #meditation #SitDownAndRiseUp #EngagedBuddhist #Zen #Buddhism #ZenCalligraphy #JMWart

Arrogance and fear still keep you from learning the simplest and most significant lesson of all…it’s not about you.

~ The Ancient One

(from the #Marvel film, Doctor Strange)

i am, because we are.

~j

#WE #interdependence #family #community #Sangha #OurStory #interwoven #TheLongArc #PlantingSeeds #EngagedBuddhist #Zen #enso #JMWart

Practice is allowing everything in your life to wake you up.

~ Mirabai Bush

#practice #meditation #WakeUp #SitDownAndRiseUp #TheLongArc #PlantingSeeds #EngagedBuddhist #Zen #Buddhism #enso #JMWart

Well, maybe the end is upon you.

What then?

Repeat after me, it goes:

“I won’t stop loving.

I won’t stop loving.”

You don’t have to be perfect.

You don’t have to play well.

You don’t have to fix everything,

all by yourself.

…Repeat after me, it goes:

“I won’t stop loving.

I won’t stop loving.”

…The sun will still rise.

The sun will still rise.

~

Holcombe Waller

from song “Hardliners”

on album “Into the Dark Unknown”

*note: no relation to me as far as i know, but really great album! 👍🏻

#JustAsYouAre #OpenHeart #love #life #sunlight #light #hope #TheLongArc #PlantingSeeds #Zen #enso #JMWart

To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness.

~ Howard Zinn

hope burns bright and breathes new life.

~j

#hope #TheLongArc #PlantingSeeds #SitDownRiseUp #MindfulResistance #EngagedBuddhist #Zen #Buddhism #enso #J

“Is the dark side stronger?”

~ Luke

“No…no…no. Quicker, easier, more seductive.”

~ Yoda

events seem to be unfolding so quickly and from outside observation seem to favor at times a more aggressive, loud, indifferent and at times cruel and dishonest approach. this can feel overwhelming and disheartening when we are more concerned with truth and non-harming.

but life has a way of regaining balance in the long arc of things. that which burns most aggressively and fast, will also burn out sooner. nothing lasts forever, even power and cruelty.

breathing. keeping focused. keeping our hearts open, our bravery quivering, with patience and endurance – compassion, kindness, and peace will prevail.

~j

#patience #endurance #TheLongArc #PlantingSeeds #light #TheForce #OpenHeart #MindfulResistance #EngagedBuddhist #Zen #Buddhist #enso #JMWart

“No one lives outside the walls of this sacred place, existence.”

~ Saint Francis of Assisi

who stands outside of your circle of compassion? can you imagine a circle of compassion where no one stands outside it it?

~j

#sacred #life #compassion #AllPeople #AllLife #interdependence #TheLongArc #PlantingSeeds #MindfulResistance #EngagedBuddhist #Zen #Buddhism #enso #JMWart