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That wisdom comes from Judith Lasater, PhD., a rest expert and restorative yoga teacher. Lasater explains the importance of resting this way:
"Everything is better when you are rested. One thing being tired, depleted and stressed out does is it narrows our perspective. It is so uncomfortable to be in our body and in our mind in those moments, and so when we are caught up with our own discomfort it is like we have blinders on to everyone else’s. We are not generous of spirit in that moment. We have no energy to do for others, to do for ourselves. What we need to do is notice that, understand its causes and conditions, and then take one small step towards resting. Today I am going to rest when I am tired for 5 minutes. Every step, every change is always small, and then there is the last one which is also small but its effects are huge."
So, take up the challenge this week. At least once each day, lie down - on your bed, a sofa, or best, on the floor with some support for your head - and just rest for 20 minutes.
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As you travel along your path toward enlightenment, keep a joyous outlook on life. - Wu Wei
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In his book, Peace Is Every Step, Thich Nhat Hanh writes:
"Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans or nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive others of their chance to lvie. Select a vocation that helps realize your ideal of compassion."
So, if you're finishing up college or job hunting, let Thich Nhat Hanh guide you. If you're working but unhappy with the employment make a change for the better even if it means starting again.
"Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans or nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive others of their chance to lvie. Select a vocation that helps realize your ideal of compassion."
So, if you're finishing up college or job hunting, let Thich Nhat Hanh guide you. If you're working but unhappy with the employment make a change for the better even if it means starting again.
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Hardship is part of life; when overcome, the true meaning of happiness will be better cherished. - Hsing Yun
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In 1908, Ernest Wood left England for India - a lengthy, arduous trip at that time - where lived for the next four decades studying with various masters. In one of his writings he promotes the "less is more" approach to meditation saying quality is far more important than quantity of time spend in meditation -
"Constant, quiet, calm practice means regular periodical practice continued for sufficient time to be effective. The results of this practice are cumulative. Little appears at the beginning, but much later on. The time given at any one sitting need not be great, for the quality of the work is more important than the quantity. Little and frequently is better than much and rarely. The sittings may be once or twice a day, or even three times if they are short. Once, done well, will bring about rapid progress; three times, done indifferently, will not. Sometimes the people who have the most time to spare succeed the least, because they feel that they have plenty of time and therefore they are not compelled to do their very best immediately; but the man who has only a short; time available for his practice feels the need of doing it to perfection."
"Constant, quiet, calm practice means regular periodical practice continued for sufficient time to be effective. The results of this practice are cumulative. Little appears at the beginning, but much later on. The time given at any one sitting need not be great, for the quality of the work is more important than the quantity. Little and frequently is better than much and rarely. The sittings may be once or twice a day, or even three times if they are short. Once, done well, will bring about rapid progress; three times, done indifferently, will not. Sometimes the people who have the most time to spare succeed the least, because they feel that they have plenty of time and therefore they are not compelled to do their very best immediately; but the man who has only a short; time available for his practice feels the need of doing it to perfection."
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There is no real success without goodness, and there is no greatness without goodness. These are not pious sentiments, but material and psychological facts, simply because the alternative to goodness is selfishness - a form of shrinking from life. - Ernest Wood
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War presents itself as necessary for self-protection, when in fact it is necessary for self-identification.
- James Carse
- James Carse
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Yoga is a systematic program whose sole purpose is spiritual, whether you call it enlightenment, Self-realization, or other similar terms. The purpose for working with the physical body is so that the body is not an obstacle in practices such as Yoga meditation, contemplation, and prayer. Obstacles to these spiritual practices are naturally minimized or completely removed in the process of following Yoga.
This is from Spiritual teacher Swami Ji (www.swamiji.com)
This is from Spiritual teacher Swami Ji (www.swamiji.com)
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During a civil war in Japan, militias often invaded little villages. In one village everyone heard solders were coming and fled. When the militia arrived the village was vacant . . . except for one person, a zen master who remained to take care of the temple. The general of the army went to the temple to see who this lone inhabitant.
When he arrived the master didn’t bow or grovel. He didn’t even speak to the general at all. Feeling disrespected, the general became angry. He drew his sword and shouted, “You fool. Don’t you realize I could run you through without blinking an eye?” The Zen calmly replied, “Do you realize I could be run through without blinking an eye?” Surprised and awed by the master, the general simply left.
This encounter, which is a popular teaching in the Zen tradition, is about equanimity or balance in the presence of various life issues. Using the prospect of one’s death, which is for many the greatest life fear, the story teaches that one can face anything – including death – in a balanced way. There is no need to react, cringe in fear, or panic.
Equanimity is something which ought to be brought into all events which come our way. In times of pain and pleasure, in times of sorrow and happiness, we can train ourselves not be carried away by our emotions remembering to remain in a balanced state.
For example, when we learn someone has gossiped about us we do not react by gossiping back nor feeling broken by what was said. When we are treated with contempt and rudeness, we do not lash out with anger. Or, when someone we love has been diagnosed with a life threatening illness, we do not collapse in dread. We choose to remain balanced, calm, even serene.
Swami Sivananda emphasized this when he wrote: One needs physical, mental and inner spiritual strength sat all times. One requires this inner strength especially during the time of disturbance, agitation and confusion
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Spiritual wisdom needs constant care and attention otherwise it quickly turns into dogma and doctrine. - Victor M. Parachin