“When the teachings tell us to “make friends with our emotions,” they mean to become more attentive and get to know them better. Being ignorant about emotions only makes matters worse; feeling guilty or ashamed of them does the same. Struggling against them is equally non-productive. The only way to dissolve their power is with…
“Patience is the antidote to anger, a way to learn to love and care for whatever we meet on the path. By patience, we do not mean endurance — as in “grin and bear it.” In any situation instead of reacting suddenly, we could chew it, smell it, look at it, and open ourselves to…
“In cultivating loving kindness, we train first to be honest, loving, and compassionate toward ourselves. Rather than nurturing self-denigration, we begin to cultivate a clear-seeing kindness. Sometimes we feel good and strong. Sometimes we feel inadequate and weak. But our loving-kindness is unconditional. No matter how we feel, we can aspire to be happy. We…