Perseverance is Willingness, Not Will
“Persevering does not mean being rigid and fixed, but flowing like water, willing to meet the conditions at hand yet never giving up…Things happen all the time in this world that can make you feel as if the ground is giving way beneath your feet. Things that you think are solid and unchanging are not. The body that seemed so reliable, the relationship you thought would last for life, the narrative about your life you took to be reality, everything is subject to change. What can we trust in such a world? It turns out we can trust our deeper wish to wake up and see just this. It turns out that under the ego there is an earthier essence that wishes to be part of a larger world. Touching this earth allows us to open and be more aware.” Tracy Cochran shares more in this thoughtful piece. { read more }
Be The Change
As you face challenges today, persevere, not in a rigid, fixed, determined-outcome sort of way, but gently, “flowing like water, willing to meet the conditions at hand yet never giving up.” |
Editor’s note: Have you ever had seemingly well-intentioned family and friends feel they are being kind by giving helpful "suggestions" at times of difficulty? On the receiving side, their helpful suggestions might not feel so helpful. When helping a friend or loved one during difficult times, sometimes the kindest act is just listening and giving them a quiet space to heal. And yet this can be much harder for our active society since we often feel like we must "do" something helpful, rather than just being a silent, loving, constant and patient presence. -Ameeta
Sangha of Auspicious Companions 