Here are some favorite quotes that I return to time after time for grounding and inspiration. They’re back pocket quotes because I can carry them around with me and draw upon them often. See what you think.
A neuropsychologist describes real love. . .
“Love comes from an inner freedom in which you are not controlled by negative reactions. It also leads to a greater freedom in your mind, relationships, and the world. Love is a kind of solvent, gradually dissolving the neurotic knots inside your head. In touch with love, you feel less vulnerable and have more room to breathe, speak, an act with others. And walking through the world -- whether down a busy street or out in the woods -- as no one's enemy, giving others no cause to fear you, with good wishes and kindness in your heart and face, you feel more like stepping freely into today, and into tomorrow.”
- Rick Hanson, Ph.D., “Just One Thing—Love Freely,” March 2021
The upward spiral of wellbeing and happiness. . .
“Everything is interconnected. Gratitude improves sleep. Sleep reduces pain. Reduced pain improves your mood. Improved mood reduces anxiety, which improves focus and planning. Focus and planning help with decision making. Decision making further reduces anxiety and improves enjoyment. Enjoyment gives you more to be grateful for, which keeps that loop of upward spiral going. Enjoyment also makes it more likely that you'll exercise and be social, which in turn, will make you happier.”
- Alex Korb, Ph.D., “New Neuroscience Reveals Four Rituals That Will Make You Happy,” Ladders, May 2017
Adjust your attitude. . .
“Do not be heavy, be light, light, light – full of light!”
- Soen Roshi (quoted by Peter Mattiessen in The Snow Leopard)
Let go, find freedom, just be yourself. . .
“Meet your own face directly. Cut one rope directly. Go with confidence and release directly.”
- Translated from the Tibetan by Ken McLeod
What is yoga?
“At the heart of yoga, there is an awakening through direct realization, transformation, and regeneration from within. The more we wake up, the greater our power as a whole. We genuinely practice for the benefit of all beings.”
- Sianna Sherman, “Hope for Humanity Rests with Our Collective Heart Tribe,” Yoga Journal, December 2020
What is Zen?
“The Universe is the scripture of Zen, for which religion is no more and no less than the apprehension of the infinite in every moment.”
- Peter Matthiessen, The Snow Leopard
Photo: Pixabay
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