To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest.
Pema ChodronWhen we scratch the wound and give into our addictions we do not allow the wound to heal.
Pema ChodronMy experience with forgiveness is that it sort of comes spontaneously at a certain point and to try to force it it's not really forgiveness. It's Buddhist philosophy or something spiritual jargon that you're trying to live up to but you're just using it against yourself as a reason why you're not okay.
Pema ChodronIf you work with your mind, instead of trying to change everything on the outside, that's how your temper will cool down.
Pema ChodronRather than going after our walls and barriers with a sledgehammer, we pay attention to them. With gentleness and honesty, we move closer to those walls. We touch them and smell them and get to know them well. We begin a process of acknowledging our aversions and our cravings. We become familiar with the strategies and beliefs we use to build the walls: What are the stories I tell myself? What repels me and what attracts me? We start to get curious about whatโs going on.
Pema Chodron