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When you slow down...

BuddhadragonBuddhadragon Ehipassiko & Carpe DiemSamsara Veteran
edited June 2017 in Arts & Writings

This is a tiny selection from the book "From The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: How to Be Calm and Mindful in a Fast-Paced World," by Korean Buddhist monk Haemin Sunim.
I find it captures basic Buddhist notions in a lyrical, poetical way???

1
If I had to summarize the entirety
of most people’s
lives in a few words,
it would be endless resistance to what is.
As we resist, we are in constant motion
trying to adjust,
and yet we still remain unhappy about what is.

If I had to summarize the entirety of an enlightened
person’s life in a few words,
it would be complete acceptance of what is.
As we accept what is, our minds are relaxed
and composed
while the world changes rapidly around us.

2
When you lower yourself, the world elevates you.
When you elevate yourself, the world lowers you.
When you arrive at the peak of enlightenment,
you will understand:
Your peak is the same height as your neighbor’s.
At the peak, you see everyone’s holiness.

3
For spiritual practitioners,
relationships are the final test.
Even if you have awakened to your enlightened nature,
there is still further to go in your spiritual journey
if you’re not living harmoniously with others.

lobsterWalkerFosdickZenshinVastmindHozanShoshinDavidBunkspersonClementinepommesetorangesKannonmisecmisc1wojciech

Comments

  • lobsterlobster Veteran

    Many thanks <3

    Exactly right.

    Stillness allows increased perception
    Holiness in others o:)
    Peeks beyond peaks :)

    I'll have what he's having ...

    BuddhadragonZenshinHozan
  • ShoshinShoshin No one in particular Nowhere Special Veteran

    @lobster said:

    I'll have what he's having ...

    He's just having a moment @lobster ....one of many :)

    BuddhadragonHozanKundo
  • techietechie India Veteran

    @lobster said:

    I'll have what he's having ...

    It may be illegal in your country. :)

    ShoshinBuddhadragonHozanlobster
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator

    One can only hope.....

    Buddhadragon
  • BuddhadragonBuddhadragon Ehipassiko & Carpe Diem Samsara Veteran
    edited June 2017

    "If I had to summarize the entirety of an enlightened
    person’s life in a few words,
    it would be complete acceptance of what is.
    As we accept what is, our minds are relaxed
    and composed
    while the world changes rapidly around us."

    The world charges past, dukkha comes and goes, yet we remain poised in the eye of the storm, in an attitute of acceptance of reality as it is.

    lobsterHozan
  • BuddhadragonBuddhadragon Ehipassiko & Carpe Diem Samsara Veteran

    "Is it the world that's busy, or my mind?"

    HozanZenshinlobsterKannon
  • ZenshinZenshin Veteran East Midlands UK Veteran

    I bought this book on the strength of the highlight that @DhammaDragon posted above. I've been reading it over the past couple of days and it is excellent.

    HozanBuddhadragonShoshinKannon
  • HozanHozan Veteran

    I have it ordered too @DhammaDragon
    Thank you so much for sharing!!
    ❤❤??

    Buddhadragon
  • BuddhadragonBuddhadragon Ehipassiko & Carpe Diem Samsara Veteran

    I am happy to hear that, @Traveller and @Hozan <3
    This book is a constant source of inspiration and practical Buddhadhamma.

    Hozan
  • gracklegrackle Veteran

    Slowing down teaches you how fast or slow you need to go. I cannot speak for the rest of the world as it too is also in the process of learning how fast or slow to go.

    BuddhadragonpaulysolobsterHozan
  • @DhammaDragon said:

    2
    When you lower yourself, the world elevates you.
    When you elevate yourself, the world lowers you.

    >

    Jesus had very similar words as this, how cool it is to see this lesson echoing throughout different faiths!

    The whole excerpt though really fills me with hope.

    I'm going to print this tape it next to my desk.

    Thanks for sharing @DhammaDragon

    Buddhadragon
  • lobsterlobster Veteran
    edited June 2017

    Slow, decrease, relax and let go.

    I was sent today, an angry but hopefully pertinent 'rant' about Grenfell Towers ...

    Anger articulated and in a sense dispassionate is I hope relevant ...

    Comfort zones, nice, kind, reasonable people. Easy.

    Sometimes the wrathful, the voiceless have something worth hearing. This is why we have to go deeper into our wisdom practices.

    Front line dharma. Change the world. Witness the storm ...

    Buddhadragon
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