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Greetings, Always interesting excerpts. I am curious how we - as the individual determine "the" truth. And why it is often such a lonely path for those who embrace philosophy such as Guru Nanak. I remember learning/reading lessons from/of Khristnamurti as a very young teen growing up in a tough Brooklyn neighborhood where very few, if anyone at all would have read this thought and/or embraced these principles. It was a lonely coming-of-age; and as an introvert has remained a lonely life in (knowing) truth. Why do those in powerful positions seem not to recognize "the ruby" of truth and instead embrace principles that do not promote goodness. I reflect' and will continue to follow the path of truth and peace.

This notion that we must "re-own" (and thereby re-live, then re-process) seems paradoxically painful. Whatever happened to "let go"...and get on with your life? Acknowledging the (past) hurt (trauma) and finding a way to work through - work it out (of the system) seems healthy, helpful and healing. From my own personal circumstances the painful dissolution of my marriage caused trauma , emotional and psychological breakdown I have re-owned (re-lived) - re-visited too many times over the last 30 years. This has done nothing to lessen, resolve and/or relieve the pain that has stunted my emotional vulnerability (ability to trust and love fully). Only when I remember to "let go" of the re-living, re-processing, "re-owning" the trauma can I get on with my life. Indeed, over the years (when I could afford it), I have sought counseling and/or therapy ; read many self-help books and attended my "healing groups" - only to find the re-telling, re-living, re-processing the trauma makes my ability to live in the present more challenging. Instead, as Buddhist tradition invites, being present ...is the (best) place to know/live/be peace.

A fine balance. This reflects (generally) the concept of "Letting Go..." Interestingly, this has been a guiding principle for my since I was young. The drawing that goes with this reading was immediately recognizable, spoke to my heart and - awakened a long ago hurt. I grew in a tough Brooklyn neighborhood. I was - an introspective, introvert, reading kind of young person. And yet, I knew I had to try to make friends. At about age 12 a group of kids I thought were friends showed up at my brownstone one summer evening - accusing me of something I didn't do. I was devastated, scared and hurt - very badly. The next day - I had no "friends" - they all shunned me and for a while I was scared to even go outside to play with my siblings. I learned a lot about the hero's journey that summer. I learned - I am alone. I learned - trust no one. I learned - God is guide. I also - interestingly learned more and more - to BE KIND, FORGIVE and seek the side of PEACE. Four decades later - I have had wonderful friendship - all ended abruptly - I've never know what I did or didn't do. I've had good and not healthy intimate relationship - including marriage - which ended - not happily - but I've moved on. And a long the way I've learned to LOVE - in spite of the hurt other people and inflict. I am still an introvert, introspective and love reading. It's a lonely life sometimes - mostly when I take time to reflect "I am alone" - that is when I am the hero of my story/journey. Otherwise I recognize "I am blessed. I am healthy. I am helpful." The caution to balance - I've discovered to check in with myself that I do not become - cold, angry and unforgiving of "this experience called life" - I live and love in peace.

"The momentary absence of desire that gives rise to the state of satisfaction" seems to be on of those circular philosophy that keep people bond in "searching" for the unattainable. Recognizing this is an excerpt, I may be missing the salient point, the helpful, "ah ha" moment which might improve or lift my awareness. Circular thoughts like these brought me to philosophy in my youth, and perhaps lead me to label myself as stoic as I grew older. I have no, or very little "desire" these days and it has been that way for a very many years, perhaps a state of apathy (although I do care, desire world peace). Unfortunately the "lack of desire" - if not the same "absence of desire" has engaged my being in a quasi state of depression; if I want nothing, desire nothing, then I can not feel satisfied, I can not feel at all. This is the circular set-up for a life of "blah" I read in this excerpt. Desire can be - and has been the impetus for many great and good things in life; it is kindness and self-awareness that help balance how these desires affect and effect us and the world that counts. Without desires, we are simply blobs, existing. peace

Greetings, There is much calm, serenity and even peace in livingn"in the moment" - certainly, no one wants illness.no less terminal. Yet, the one thing we have (most) control is.our mind/thoughts...and ability to decide. peace

There must be Native American blood in my veins; I appreciate the "kindness," of silence, however, my silence has always disturbed those around. I say "kindness" bc silence.. especially in conversation is loving. Allowing the other to talk when you to listen ...holy. peace

Not so long ago, I had to escape, withdraw, retreat from the "noise" of society. A dark, cold, rainy morning before daybreak I was on bended knees, begging, pleading, crying out to God, Creator, Spirit (and possibly any entity that would hear my prayers) to caste out the "noise" in my head. On bended knees, with tears flowing, and my nose dripping, I begged release from the ongoing, seemingly never ending anxiety of the noise in my head, the worry about everything that had developed over a period of 10 years. Every morning, every day, all day the "noise" of anxiety bound my heart, mind and soul to agony. No relief, that dark, cold, rainy morning before daybreak, I found myself on my knees pleading, begging, crying for silence, for solitude, for peace of mind. Then in an instance, a voice, and a gush, a guidance urged me to "Go home" to my ancestral home; to the little "nowhere" town of my mother's house. Interestingly, the last place on earth I would want to go to find silence, my mother 's house (and the ancestral community) was too often a place of stress, distress and unnamed anxiety for me - yet nonetheless - I realize it is "home" a place to disengage from the ongoing noise of my regular life. So I grabbed a backpack and hurriedly hiked to the bus stop in darkness of the early morning to purchase a ticket with money that I worried I didn't have to spend for the 9 hour bus ride "home". I told no one. I did not forewarn my mother (or other family members) that I would be "coming home" that dark, cold, rainy morning. The bus ride was safe and mercifully quiet (considering the community of people on a long-distance bus are usually anxious, worried, and running just like I was that day). And once there, back "home" - to my surprise, for the first time ever (very much an adult, having made the trip many, many, many times over the years), my visit to my mother's house, as well as the visit with my mother was one of solitude, solace and silence. It was... [View Full Comment] Not so long ago, I had to escape, withdraw, retreat from the "noise" of society. A dark, cold, rainy morning before daybreak I was on bended knees, begging, pleading, crying out to God, Creator, Spirit (and possibly any entity that would hear my prayers) to caste out the "noise" in my head. On bended knees, with tears flowing, and my nose dripping, I begged release from the ongoing, seemingly never ending anxiety of the noise in my head, the worry about everything that had developed over a period of 10 years. Every morning, every day, all day the "noise" of anxiety bound my heart, mind and soul to agony. No relief, that dark, cold, rainy morning before daybreak, I found myself on my knees pleading, begging, crying for silence, for solitude, for peace of mind. Then in an instance, a voice, and a gush, a guidance urged me to "Go home" to my ancestral home; to the little "nowhere" town of my mother's house. Interestingly, the last place on earth I would want to go to find silence, my mother 's house (and the ancestral community) was too often a place of stress, distress and unnamed anxiety for me - yet nonetheless - I realize it is "home" a place to disengage from the ongoing noise of my regular life. So I grabbed a backpack and hurriedly hiked to the bus stop in darkness of the early morning to purchase a ticket with money that I worried I didn't have to spend for the 9 hour bus ride "home". I told no one. I did not forewarn my mother (or other family members) that I would be "coming home" that dark, cold, rainy morning. The bus ride was safe and mercifully quiet (considering the community of people on a long-distance bus are usually anxious, worried, and running just like I was that day). And once there, back "home" - to my surprise, for the first time ever (very much an adult, having made the trip many, many, many times over the years), my visit to my mother's house, as well as the visit with my mother was one of solitude, solace and silence. It was a time of "genuine and deep communication" and I emerged several days later, recharged. The "noise" in my head lessened, indeed silenced. I returned to my place of residence understanding, perhaps as Merton did, that I can not completely disengage from the "noise of society" yet from time to time there is the necessity to go to the "The Abbey" for quiet contemplation; for recharging, the solace, the solitude, the silence. peace.[Hide Full Comment]

I love when people, strangers stop and allow me to chat, touch and even let their dogs play with me. I love this exchange between strangers - and the pets like it too. I'm a stranger, a strange smell, a strange voice - yet when I stop and ask - or just simply embrace a dog that wants to jump on me - I am so blessed! Pets "know" love and who needs love - and I feel a 1,000 times better when I exchange love with a pet on the street. Inevitably, this leads to a greeting and smile with the pet's owner - friendly - kind exchange between strangers. Joy.

Greetings, My job is to help people. I'm a quiet mindful person and very low key. Most times the manager doesn't acknowlege the thanks I get from the people I help. I remind myself "Im helping people" and I thrive, improve and feel grateful for the opportunity. Kindness, mindfulness, peace is how I bloom.