All that is necessary then is to rest undistractedly in the immediate present, in this very instant in time.
And if we become drawn away by thoughts, by longings, by hopes and fears, again and again we can return to this present moment.
We are here.
We are carried off as if by the wind, and as if by the wind, we are brought back.
When one thought has ended and another has not begun, we can rest in that space.
We train in returning to the unchanging heart of this very moment.
All compassion and all inspiration come from that.
Pema Chodron - When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times (1997)
This short episode is from Joe, intended as the first of many, reflecting on passages he took note of in reading. Next week's main ep will explain more of the back story behind this new project.
Joe is writing over at https://joeloh.substack.com, and (Sam here) I say it's very good stuff. Very honest. Totally Joe. A rollicking read.
Creators & Guests
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About the author of today's quote:
Pema Chödrön (born Deirdre Blomfield-Brown, July 14, 1936) is an American Tibetan Buddhist. She is an ordained nun, former Acharya of Shambhala Buddhism and disciple of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Chödrön has written books and audiobooks, and is principal teacher at Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia. Chödrön teaches the traditional "Yarne" retreat at Gampo Abbey each winter and the Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life in Berkeley each summer. (wikiquote)More Pema Chodron quotes at https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Pema_Ch%C3%B6dr%C3%B6n
By the same author: How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind (2008)