The confusion that arises when we cling to our beliefs and expectations obscures the innate clarity of our awakened minds; at the same time, this confused conceptual mind simply does not have the capacity to understand mind beyond concepts. We use language to describe awakening, awareness, emptiness, spacious luminosity, enlightenment, realization, and all sorts of other concepts that defy description. Words can point toward the way, and we can definitely experience our own inner wakefulness; but we cannot conceive of it, and every idea that we have about waking up remains far removed from experience. This becomes obvious once we begin to work with our minds.
– Mingyur Rinpoche
from the book “In Love with the World”
Each sensation is temporary. Each breath temporary, each rising and falling temporary. All changing, transforming.
With each exhale, the old me dies.
With each inhale, a new me is born.
Becoming, renewing, dying, rebirth, change.
– Mingyur Rinpoche
from the book “In Love with the World”
When compassion begins to awaken in your own heart, you're able to be more honest with yourself. If you make a mistake, you can acknowledge it and take steps to correct it. At the same time, you're less likely to look for flaws in other people. If people do something offensive, if they start screaming at you or treating you badly, you'll notice (probably with some surprise) that you don't react in the same way you once might have.
– Mingyur Rinpoche
from the book “The Joy of Living”
When I first started meditating formally, I found that objectless meditation was too hard because it was too easy. The simple aware ness that is the essen.ce of natural mind is too close to recognize. It's there when we wake up in the morning, wherever we go throughout the day, when we eat, and when we get ready to go to bed. It's simply awareness. It is what it is. But because it's with us all the time, we don't recognize how precious it is. And it's just too easy to get caught up in all the thoughts, feelings, and sensations that are the natural by products of the mind in its natural state.
– Mingyur Rinpoche
from the book “The Joy of Living”
