If a lotus is to grow, it needs to be rooted in the mud. Compassion is born from understanding suffering. We all should learn to embrace our own suffering, to listen to it deeply, and to have a deep look into its nature. In doing so, we allow the energy of love and compassion to be born. When the energy of compassion is born, right away we suffer less. When we suffer less, when we have compassion for ourselves, we can more easily understand the suffering of another person and of the world. Then our communication with others will be based on the desire to understand rather than the desire to prove ourselves right or make ourselves feel better.

If a lotus is to grow, it needs to be rooted in the mud. Compassion is born from understanding suffering. We all should learn to embrace our own suffering, to listen to it deeply, and to have a deep look into its nature. In doing so, we allow the energy of love and compassion to be born. When the energy of compassion is born, right away we suffer less. When we suffer less, when we have compassion for ourselves, we can more easily understand the suffering of another person and of the world. Then our communication with others will be based on the desire to understand rather than the desire to prove ourselves right or make ourselves feel better.

Some notes from book The Art of Communicating by Thich Nhat Hanh

Some notes from book The Art of Communicating by Thich Nhat Hanh

You cannot silence it, but you can train it to be your friend. How do you manage your inner chatter?

As I sit down to jot my thoughts, she often snuggles next to me. Today, I wanted to just settle on the staircase and take a breather or two. The soft sound of her breathing, that deep inhale that we seldom experience in our shallow daily “doingness”, it’s so assuring.

As if nothing else matters, as if she has all that she needs and desires. As if her world is complete. I envy her ‘doggyness’!!

I plan to do some deep breathing of my own this weekend, hope you will to!

TGIF!

Her doggyness!

As you breathe in, cherish yourself. As you breathe out, cherish all Beings. ~ Dalai Lama

When you embrace what is…life unfurls its splendors…

Slow down and cherish all that surrounds you…all that abounds you…

You can pack in a lot in a tiny journal…

You can pack in a lot in a tiny journal…

Adding multiple layers often reveals shapes and forms that would not emerge otherwise.

Adding multiple layers often reveals shapes and forms that would not emerge otherwise.

Exploring new styles and ideas in my new journal…

Exploring new styles and ideas in my new journal…