“A simple feeling will arise, and instead of simply letting it be there, we panic. We begin to weave our thoughts into a story line, which gives rise to bigger emotions. Instead of just sitting in some kind of openness with our uncomfortable feeling we bring out the bellows and fan way at it. With our thoughts and emotions, we keep it inflamed, we won’t let it go.
If we can look at and see the wildness of emotions, we can not only begin to befriend and soften toward ourselves, but we can also begin to befriend all human beings and indeed all living beings. By becoming aware of how we do this silly thing again and again because of fear and uncertainty, we then can begin to develop true compassion for ourselves and everyone else, because we see what happened and how we react when things fall apart. That awareness is what turns the sword into a flower. We see what is seemingly problematic and unwanted actually becomes our teacher. “
When Things Fall Apart, Pema Chodron
“… the Dalai Lama would laugh without restraint at something funny and then, within seconds, display the most serious concentration. He doesn’t get too attached to things – even his own emotions.”
The Wisdom of Forgiveness, The Dalai Lama and Victor Chan
