What Drives You?

 

This poster came up on LinkedIn for me.  It says:

“If you are driven by fear, anger or price, nature will force you to compete.  If you are guided by courage, awareness, tranquility and peace, nature will serve you.”

-Amit Ray

The words were profound for me.  It made me think about the people I knew or knew of, that were very competitive and those that were peaceful and yet got things done.  The words - courage, awareness, tranquility and peace, are attributes that I strive to show every day.  

What does the quote mean for you?

Blessings,

Judy

Snail’s Pace

 

Snail’s Pace

-Judy Hirst

On the edge of my awareness sits a Snail,

  Quiet, and peaceful and serene.

She says she can tell me quite a tale,

  About trees miles high, and rivers so clean

That the bottom is clear for all to see.

 

She said there are riches for all of the beasts.

  In the land where she long has dwelt.

She says wars and conflict have ceased.

  Indeed, all the beings act as one.

And everything one needs is free.

 

“It sounds like heaven”, I said with a smile.

   “It’s not heaven, but the pace suits me fine,” said she.

“Why don’t you visit and stop for awhile

     for its tranquility transforms like a key

Fitting into a padlock releasing tension…”

  And the Snail disappeared without finishing her sentence.

 

Blessings,

Judy

Tranquility’s Power - A Buddhist Story

There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth...

not going all the way and not starting.

Buddha

This is a Zen story about the power of calmness.  

 

A master of the tea ceremony in old Japan once accidentally slighted a soldier. He quickly apologized, but the rather impetuous soldier demanded that the matter be settled in a sword duel. The tea master, who had no experience with swords, asked the advice of a fellow Zen master who did possess such skill. As he was served by his friend, the Zen swordsman could not help but notice how the tea master performed his art with perfect concentration and tranquility. "Tomorrow," the Zen swordsman said, "when you duel the soldier, hold your weapon above your head, as if ready to strike, and face him with the same concentration and tranquility with which you perform the tea ceremony."  The next day, at the appointed time and place for the duel, the tea master followed this advice. The soldier, readying himself to strike, stared for a long time into the fully attentive but calm face of the tea master. Finally, the soldier lowered his sword, apologized for his arrogance, and left without a blow being struck. 

After you read this story, gage your reaction to it.  Does your mind tell you that this is impossible?  Why do you think that?  Does your anger flare up and get you into trouble?  Have you ever experienced the power of tranquility?  What is the gift in this story?  Why did the soldier back down?  

May you find the first seeds of tranquility here.

Many blessings,

Judy