It isn't the things that are happening to us that cause us to suffer, it's what we say to ourselves about the things that are happening. The truth you believe and cling to makes you unavailable to hear anything new.
Pema ChodronClarity and decisiveness come from the willingness to slow down, to listen to and look at whatโs happening.
Pema ChodronLife's work is to wake up, to let the things that enter your life wake you up rather than put you to sleep.
Pema ChodronWe can put our whole heart into whatever we do; but if we freeze our attitude into for or against, we're setting ourselves up for stress. Instead, we could just go forward with curiosity, wondering where this experiment will lead. This kind of open-ended inquisitiveness captures the spirit of enthusiasm, or heroic perseverance.
Pema Chodron