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“Find out what makes you kinder, what opens you up and brings out the most loving, generous, and unafraid version on you - and go after those things as if nothing else matters. Because actually, nothing does.”   -George Saunders

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“Our sense of ‘self’ is a direct, inner experiential reality. We identify ourselves with the bundle or sphere of impressions, thoughts and so forth which [constitute] this self. Unfortunately, at this stage, what the Hindus would call Kali Yuga, the dark period of history, we are almost born in complete imprisonment in this state of selfishness, [the sense of self] in the negative sense. And most of us live our [entire] lives like that. But because, metaphysically speaking, the self is not a totally independent being, there is always a crack in the wall somewhere. There is always something beyond [this small self]. That’s why selfishness does not bring happiness, ultimately. No self can be happy simply by being itself, no matter how hard it tries to satisfy its appetites which never end. This is a sign of the fact that [the self] has an echo of the infinite.

– Seyyed Hossein Nasr

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Put light against light - you have nothing. Put dark against dark - you have nothing. It’s the contrast of light and dark that each give the other one meaning.

Bob Ross (via purplebuddhaproject)

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lay down in the nice cool dirt sometimes. it is good for the soul

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The internet is incredible.

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I began to understand that suffering and disappointments and melancholy are there not to vex us or cheapen us or deprive us of our dignity but to mature and transfigure us.

Hermann Hesse  (via purplebuddhaproject)

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Wow.

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"The antipathies existing in the Lord’s great animal family must be wisely planned, like balanced repulsion and attraction in the mineral kingdom. How narrow we selfish, conceited creatures are in our sympathies! how blind to the rights of all the rest of creation! With what dismal irreverence we speak of our fellow mortals! Though alligators, snakes, etc., naturally repel us, they are not mysterious evils. They dwell happily in these flowery wilds, are part of God’s family, unfallen, undepraved, and cared for with the same species of tenderness and love as is bestowed on angels in heaven or saints on earth." -John Muir

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Tragic things are happening all around me lately. People dying and getting sick, relationships ending, job loss, stolen belongings. As hard as all this is on my heart and psyche, navigating through my own hardships and observing others, I really have come to fully embrace the unavoidable contrast and balance of the Universe - the good, happy, joyful things wouldn't hold half their worth if there wasn't darkness and sorrow to compare them to. We wouldn't gain nearly as much wisdom and understanding about the world and our position in it if every day was a cake walk. Take a minute to reflect on the story of the lotus and imagine the ways in which both your physical self and your spirit grows and blossoms even amongst the muck and mire of a seemingly defeating situation. There are certainly depressing thoughts and conversations to be had amidst tragedy, but it is also important to recognize the positive things which may arise. Realize the impressive strength we wield, waking up and facing the world everyday despite the ways in which it has and can hurt us. Transitions, happy or sad, intentional or circumstantial, come along with an awakened perspective of things. They remind us that we have been taking things in our life for granted. Remind us to be grateful for and cherish things we still have. Everything is fleeting, and when we experience loss of something that once gave us comfort or joy we have to remember that the Universe is infinite and a new joyous experience is right around the corner if we remember to keep our eyes and heart open to receive it. I BELIEVE IN THE GOOD THINGS COMING.

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"They tell us that plants are perishable, soulless creatures, that only man is immortal, etc.; but this, I think, is something that we know very nearly nothing about. Anyhow, this palm was indescribably impressive and told me grander things than I ever got from human priest." -John Muir