“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.” ― Dalai Lama XIV
Thought for Today
Thought for Today
“We don’t realize that, somewhere within us all, there does exist a supreme self who is eternally at peace.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love
Thought for Today
Thought for Today
“Hurt does not heal hurt. Violence will not bring an end to violence. Help the world to understand this by reacting differently, responding newly, when anger and a need to hurt you is sent your way.” — Neale Donald Walsch
A Simple Discipline: Practice Peace
While most of us want to think of ourselves as peace-loving people we may sometimes find it difficult to practice what we preach. Even the best of us allow ourselves to become all riled up due to circumstances or even people. There may even be one particular person in your life who seems to be assigned to helping you (although it often feels like forcing you) to learn to practice peace. You know who I’m talking about. That person who walks into a room and every muscle tightens, your blood pressure rises and you are ready for a fight. They don’t have to even do anything but be there.
We need to see these people as the teachers they are. They come into our lives to help us learn to live peace and to see the Divine in all people, even the ones who don’t have to do anything to really tick us off.
There are tools we can use to help us learn to practice peace. This ancient Tibetan Buddhist blessing is a beautiful one.
May you be filled with loving kindness.
May you be well.
May you be peaceful and at ease.
May you be happy.
When we learn to say this blessing while seeing a person we may have difficulty with in our minds, we are on our way to learning to practice peace in our daily lives. Remember the first step to peace in the world is peace in our hearts.
Thought for Today
“True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.” ~William Penn
Thought for Today
“Have you ever heard the wonderful silence just before the dawn? Or the quiet and calm just as a storm ends? Or perhaps you know the silence when you haven’t the answer to a question you’ve been asked, or the hush of a country road at night, or the expectant pause of a room full of people when someone is just about to speak, or, most beautiful of all, the moment after the door closes and you’re alone in the whole house? Each one is different, you know, and all very beautiful if you listen carefully.”
― Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth
― Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth
Thought for Today
“You are most powerful when you are most silent. People never expect silence. They expect words, motion, defense, offense, back and forth. They expect to leap into the fray. They are ready, fists up, words hanging leaping from their mouths. Silence? No.”
― Alison McGhee, All Rivers Flow To The Sea
Through an Artist’s Eyes: In the Secret Place
Copyright 2015 by R.A. Robbins
There is a place I sometimes go to in my mind during meditation. There are times I will find an actual physical place that takes me there instantly. The Holy Family Shrine near Gretna Nebraska is one of those places. Situated on a hilltop there is a magnificent view. I remember sitting in awe during Taize worship there at sunset, watching the sky catch on fire while singing beautiful scriptures and prayers. The Shrine is also the inspiration for In the Secret Place. At the actual Shrine the water flows to the Chapel while in my art piece it flows out of it. The white pieces in the border are printed with scriptures related to stillness and meeting with God.
Thought for Today
“Before you agree to do anything that might add even the smallest amount of stress to your life, ask yourself: What is my truest intention? Give yourself time to let a yes resound within you. When it’s right, I guarantee that your entire body will feel it.” –Oprah Winfrey
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