" There are times in every life when we feel hurt or alone...But believe that these times when we feel lost and all around us seems to be falling apart are really bridges of growth.
We struggle and try to recapture the security that was, but almost in spite of ourselves we emerge on the other side with a new understanding, and a new awareness, a new strength.
It is almost as though we must go through the pain and the struggle in order to grow and reach new heights." ~Sue Mitchell
“Nobody sees a flower - really - it is so small - we haven’t time - and to see takes time like to have a friend takes time. If I could paint the flower exactly as I see it no one would see what I see because I would paint it small like the flower is small. So I said to myself - I’ll paint what I see - what the flower is to me but I’ll paint it big and they will be surprised into taking time to look at it - I will make even busy New Yorkers take time to see what I see of flowers.” Georgia O'Keeffe
"When you see a truck bearing down on you, by all means jump out of the way. But spend some time in meditation, too. Learning to deal with discomfort is the only way you’ll be ready to handle the truck you didn’t see.”
“There is a difference between watching the mind and controlling the mind. Watching the mind with a gentle, open attitude allows the mind to settle down and come to rest. Trying to control the mind, or trying to control the way that one’s spiritual practice will unfold, just stirs up more agitation and suffering.”
“Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. You may not be perfect, but you are all you’ve got to work with. The process of becoming who you will be begins first with the total acceptance of who you are.”
Investigate yourself. Question everything. Take nothing for granted. Don't believe anything because it sounds wise an pious and some holy men said it. See for yourself. That does not mean that you should be cynical, impudent, or irreverent. It means you should be empirical. Subject all statements to the actual test of your own experience, and let the results be your guide to truth. Insight meditation evolves out of an inner longing to wake up to what is real and to gain liberating insight into the true structure of existence. The entire practice hinges upon this desire to be awake to the truth. Without it , the practice is superficial."
B. H. Gunaratana in Mindfulness in plain English
You have to be careful not to criticize or fight the mind, since it is normal to think, hear sounds, and feel sensations. The trick is not to grasp or reject them. Just leave them alone and let them come and go lightly."
M.Batchelor in Meditation for life
"An act of meditation is actually an act of faith - of faith in your spirit, in your own potential. Faith is the basis of meditation. Not of faith in something outside you - a metaphysical buddha, an unattainable ideal, or someone else's words. The faith is in yourself, in your own "buddha-nature". You too can be a buddha, an awakened being that lives and responds in a wise, creative, and compassionate way."
Martine Batchelor in Meditation for life
"In meditation, don't expect anything. Just sit back and see what happens. Treat the whole thing as an experiment. Take an active interest in the test itself, but don't get distracted by your expectations about the results. For that matter, don't' be anxious for any result whatsoever."
B. H. Gunaratana in Mindfulness in plain English