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Quote by Richard Aitken

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Richard Aitken

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“There’s surprising relief and regeneration in finding ourselves within a moment of genuine grace, however small or temporary it may be.”

InspirationJoyGraceBuddhismForgivenessZenMeaningMeaning Of LifeMysticismTranscendenceWellbeingStress ManagementComparative ReligionCobaltsaffronDarrell CalkinsAsian PhilosophyCobaltsaffron RetreatDarrell Calkins RetreatDarrell Calkins SeminarPersonal Skills DevelopmentCobaltsaffron Darrell CalkinsWellbeing SeminarDarrell Calkins Workshop
Author:Darrell Calkins
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“*Breathing in, I know this is my in-breath. Breathing out, I know this is my out-breath.* It's very simple, but very effective. When we bring our attention to our in-breath and our out-breath, we stop thinking of the past; we stop thinking of the future; and we begin to come home to ourselves...Don't think this practice doesn't apply to you. If we don't go home to ourselves, we can't be at our best and serve the world in the best way... Our quality of being is the foundation for the quality of our actions. *Breathing in, I'm aware of my whole body. Breathing out, I'm aware of my whole body.* Breathing mindfully brings us back to our bodies. We have to acknowledge our bodies first because tension and suffering accumulate in the body. Breathing in this way, we create a kind of family reunion between mind and body. The mind becomes an embodied mind. ...We can't do our best if we don't know to release the tension and pain in ourselves. *Breathing in, I'm aware of the tension in my body. Breathing out, I'm aware of the tension in my body.* When we look at the suffering around us, at poverty, violence, or climate change, we may want to solve these things immediately. We want to do something. But to do something effectively and ethically, we need to be our best selves in order to be able to handle the suffering... *Breathing in, I am aware of a painful feeling arising. Breathing out, I release the painful feeling.* This is a nonviolent and gentle way to help our bodies release tension and pain. It is possible to practice mindful breathing in order to produce a feeling of joy, a feeling of happiness. When we are well-nourished and know how to create joy, then we are strong enough to handle the deep pain within ourselves and the world.”

MeditationZen
Book:Good Citizens: Creating Enlightened Society
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“The title of this Chautauqua is "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance," not "Zen and the Art of Mountain Climbing," and there are no motorcycles on the tops of mountains, and in my opinion very little Zen. Zen is the "spirit of the valley," not the mountaintop. The only Zen you fin on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”

ZenMountainsSpiritual JourneyMountain ClimbingSpiritualismMotorcycles
Book:Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values
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