Mysteriously, wonderfully, I bid farewell to what goes, I greet what comes; for what comes cannot be denied, and what goes cannot be detained.Chuang-Tzu
The way of acceptance and spiritual freedom is found not by going somewhere but by in going, and the stage where happiness can be known is now, at this very moment, at the very place where you happen to stand. It is in accepting fully your state of soul as it is now . . . . The point is not to accept it in order that you may pass on to a "higher" state, but to accept because acceptance in itself is that "higher" state, if such it may be called.Alan Watts
Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life unquestioningly. Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every such moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such.
Henry Miller
This image and the images in your last post are astonishingly beautiful and the quotes perfectly meet my need this morning. Thank you, George.
ReplyDeleteI love the lotus/lily blossoms and the lily pads paired with these lines. All three quotations are perfectly timed for this moment for me. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHow incredible it is that Henry Miller's declares that what seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy and strength, if faced with an open mind. And that I believe it!
Thanks, TERESA. Glad the images and quotes helped to meet your needs today.
ReplyDeleteThanks, RUTH. Yes, many will be repelled by Henry Miller's declaration that what appears "nasty, painful, evil" can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength. When you sit with the idea for a while, however, you can see that he is simply pointing to the wisdom of remaining still and serene in all circumstances, rather than allowing our rapid-fire judgmental minds drive us to a state of utter insanity. One of Miller's books is titled "Stand Still Like a Hummingbird," which seems to capture it all—beauty, focus, and stillness, even as the wings beat thousands of times per minute.
ReplyDeleteYour photos have a calming mood about them. Like your quote too -- barbara
ReplyDeleteThanks, BARBARA. I thought the image of the lily pads and flowers embodied the spirit of acceptance that was the subject of this posting.
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of the water lilies, it's really beautiful. I also like the idea of accepting whatever life brings though that's often easier said than done.
ReplyDeleteThanks, ROWAN. Yes, acceptance is often easier said than done, but resistance to that which cannot be changed is also extremely difficult
ReplyDeleteAcceptance (particularly in the way Miller sees it) is a very frightening concept, needing great courage.
ReplyDeleteYes, FRIKO, but I find that life itself requires great courage. Ultimately, this comes down to a personal philosophy—to accept or to resist—but the older I become, the more I am inclined to choose acceptance.
ReplyDeleteThese quotes are especially helpful to me George as I wait to see my specialist this Thursday. Thanks for posting them.
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome, PAT. I'm delighted that you found encouragement here, and I wish you the very best with your medical appointment.
ReplyDeleteOh, that lotus blossom photo is a gift! The colors and watery reflection make me smile. Why is it that I must learn this over and over: "What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy and strength, if faced with an open mind." Possibly, I'll still be practicing this with my last breath.
ReplyDeleteDelighted you liked the post and the photo, BARB. Don't think you're alone on this one. Acceptance is a discipline and practice that we will all be working on till our last breath.
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