Tag: Buddha
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Musings
For a long time, I was pessimistic by default. The I realized the appeal of pessimism–that I could minimize disappointment through negativity–is still disappointing, and makes for a dreary existence.
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Musings
When I deal with my negativity, it seem to be my identification with it that determines how fast it leaves. Of course the emotion is me, but it isn’t me in my entirety. So I let it be felt, because otherwise, I would be denying a part of myself. At the same time, I try…
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Musings
For decades, I unthinkingly accepted the premise that fulfillment was achieved through intellect and action. Then I noticed quantifiable success didn’t guarantee fulfillment, within myself or even among the wildly successful. Then I noticed if my focus was on being present and empty, I wouldn’t stay that way–well-being inevitably rushed in, for no external reason…
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Musings
Ironically, even when it seems to put a relationship at risk, I’ve found that setting boundaries generally improves it. Sometimes, the person falls out of my life, but even more surprising is when they come back in, after reflecting on the exchange and stating they’re ready to honor the boundary. On a related note, I…
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Musings
After a while, I realized when I allow myself to be empty and still, I don’t stay that way–well-being inevitably follows, and inspiration follows that well-being. As I began to accept the idea that well-being is my default state, I also began to accept the related premise that this same well-being alchemizes thoughts and emotions…
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Musings
The true self, I believe, is not a series of narratives that run through my mind, reiterating who I was, who I am, who I’ll be, and/or why any of those narratives aren’t valid or real. It’s a wordless transcendence that becomes apparent when all the narratives quiet and still.
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Musings
Perhaps abundance is not defined by resources, but through unrealized possibilities. Maybe there’s always a way to pull a benefit out of unpleasantness, defying odds, expectations, and ironclad beliefs.
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Musings
I’ve swung from denying negativity, to accepting to it, to allowing it (allowing it, in my opinion, is different from acceptance in that it doesn’t immediately assign it a fixed quality or quantification, which is what usually happens when I accept. Allowance just lets it be, without intellectual categorization). Allowing it, in my experience, expands…
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Musings
As soon as we’re born, we’re pushed and pulled by countless conditions, originating from biology, society, and circumstance. For much of my life, I viewed this in a resentful light, as a series of obligations I never asked for. Then, after I railed against the world for several decades, I began to play with the…
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Musings
Perhaps we are born with internal guidance–a compass that transcends external metrics, that can guide us through societal standards, and let us know when to conform or diverge. Perhaps fulfillment isn’t dependent on chasing metric after metric, checking off box after box, and is more a function of conscious allowance: settling into the present moment,…