Tuesday, September 17, 2013

the wisdom of no escape (summer zen #17)



"The wisdom of no escape" by Pema Chodron is a book that accompanies me since january, and that has so many levels and such a range that re-reading the passages brings new glimpses and a deepening understanding for - well, everything: the world, the human condition, our behaviour patterns, and the open horizon of possibility, of a different take of things.

here's a longer quote, from the opening chapter:
“There is a common misunderstanding among the human beings who have ever been born on earth that the best way to live is to try to avoid pain and just try to get comfortable. You see this even in insects and animals and birds. All of us are the same. A much more interesting, kind and joyful approach to life is to begin to develop our curiosity, not caring whether the object of our curiosity is bitter or sweet. To lead a life that goes beyond pettiness and prejudice and always wanting to make sure that everything turns out on our own terms, to lead a more passionate, full, and delightful life than that, we must realize that we can endure a lot of pain and pleasure for the sake of finding out who we are and what this world is, how we tick and how our world ticks, how the whole thing just is. If we are committed to comfort at any cost, as soon as we come up against the least edge of pain, we’re going to run; we’ll never know what’s beyond that particular barrier or wall or fearful thing.”

i first blogged about this book on the third of January ("from zen mind to this lousy world"), in the midst of winter. now there is fall equinox upcoming. some books last several seasons...
for more quotes, try the Goodreads quote page, and for more about Pema Chodron, visit her website.

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more summer zen:
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