"Our Life Is Shaped By Our Mind"

“Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. 

Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draws it.

Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. 

Joy follows a pure thought like a shadow that never leaves.” 

~ Siddhārtha Gautama

Friendship with Ourselves

I really enjoy my recent daily practice to focus on my daily activities. For example when I was raking the fallen leaves this morning. The colours and shapes looked even more beautiful and I felt so peaceful allowing no distracting thoughts to come in. It felt like a meditation.

It also is very helpful for me to take the time every day to read an inspirational text or article. For today I have chosen a text by Pema Chödrön, the following line really is an eye opener to me;
"As long as our orientation is toward perfection or success, we will never learn about unconditional friendship with ourselves, nor will we find compassion."

It sounds so beautiful; unconditional friendship with myself. To let go of all those secretive expectations of myself to become a perfect always cheerful mother, a published photographer, a successful blogger and a charismatic, popular person.
Losing those expectations and goals would provide so much personal freedom and peace of mind.

Pema has a very loving approach to this personal development;
"When we train in letting go of thinking that anything—including ourselves—is either good or bad, we open our minds to practice with forgiveness and humor. And we practice opening to a compassionate space in which good/bad judgments can dissolve.
We practice letting go of our idea of a "goal" and letting go of our concept of "progress," because right there, in that process of letting go, is where our hearts open and soften—over and over again."

So heartwarming and encouraging, I am very grateful to have read this inspiring article by Pema Chödrön; Signs of Spiritual Progress.
Thank you for joining me here today and I wish you a lovely day.

~

Buddhism for Mothers

Do not dwell in the past,

do not dream of the future,

concentrate the mind on the present moment.

~ Buddha

Inspired by the wonderful book "Buddhism for Mothers" by Sarah Napthali I recently refreshed my interest in the Buddhist approach of life. My interest was somewhat weakened over the past year since I was overwhelmed by motherhood. But now that I am somewhat back to my senses (as far as possible with all my lack of sleep), it is time to work on myself again.

I have noticed that 15 months after giving birth, I still have my mood swings and no one believes that it is still the pregnancy hormones hihi. So I must face the fact that becoming a mother puts things in another perspective. Under a magnifying glass to be precise. Supposedly small bad habits are magnified to huge stumbling blocks in conscious parenting. Motherhood is the ultimate challenge with above all an unconditional love and at the same time severe uncertainties. So let's start...

The first step was to read this book by Sarah Napthali. So far so good. Now step two; daily practice of keeping my thoughts positive and focused on the present moment.

I am a daydreamer and my thoughts are always either in the past or the future, but almost never and certainly not for long in the present moment. Only when I take my photos and while writing my blog I am fully present in the Now. Well today I will try to expand those moments.

~