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Posts tagged ‘Merton’

Nov 24

16 Comments

Detach

“In order to settle down in the quiet of our own being we must learn to be detached from the results of our own activity. We must withdraw ourselves, to some extent, from effects that are beyond our control and be content with the good will and the work that are the quiet expression of our inner life. We must be content to live without watching ourselves live, to work without expecting an immediate reward, to love without an instantaneous satisfaction, and to exist without any special recognition.” – Thomas Merton, No Man is an Island

Immerse yourself into each day with no attachments or expectations with the exception of giving your very best to each moment, each person. When we focus on doing good and being authentic, it’s so much more than enough. Detach from that which you have no real influence and get out of your own way.

“Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf.” – Rabindranath Tagore

“Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf.” – Rabindranath Tagore

Dec 2

11 Comments

More Than a Glance

“Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul.” – Thomas Merton

On Friday, I went to the mall to buy some new clothes for upcoming meetings. Like many activities, my intention was to get in and out quickly without delay, without notice, to get it over with.

Head down, thinking about what’s next, I placed the clothes on the counter. Slide check card, sign, transaction done, receipt in the bag, ready to say a quick thank you and go, go, go. But this time I stopped, looked up directly in the clerk’s eyes, smiled and said a sincere thank you. Moving the moment from a mundane transaction to undivided attention and acknowledgement. A simple yet profound reminder to be in the moment completely. Instead of passing by or around, we can choose to pass through aware and engaged, giving more than a glance.

We are called to go deeper in and reach further out.

“The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another.” – Thomas Merton

May 20

2 Comments

At Ease

“Ours is a time of anxiety because we have willed it to be so. Our anxiety is not imposed on us by force from outside. We impose it on our world and upon one another from within ourselves.” – Thomas Merton

We’re “connected” at all times – texting, email, cell phone … Technology is a major part of what I do in my career everyday, but it’s not a replacement for relationships and reflection. Take time each day to unplug by yourself and to reconnect with others one on one – face to face, not only Facebook to Facebook.

And don’t just buy the hammock and adirondack chairs for decoration. Put them to good use for regular restoration. At ease … that’s an order.

"Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why." - Eddie Cantor

“Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going fast – you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.” – Eddie Cantor

May 6

13 Comments

Contemplate

“If we know the divine art of concentration, if we know the divine art of meditation, if we know the divine art of contemplation, easily and consciously we can unite the inner world and the outer world.” – Sri Chinmoy

Take five minutes today to be quiet, be open – focus on BEing instead of DOing. There’s more to life than checking tasks off our to do list.

“Life is this simple: we are living in a world that is absolutely transparent and the divine is shining through it all the time. This is not just a nice story or a fable, it is true." ― Thomas Merton

“Life is this simple: we are living in a world that is absolutely transparent and the divine is shining through it all the time. This is not just a nice story or a fable, it is true.” ― Thomas Merton

Apr 21

6 Comments

Symphony

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.”
– Thomas Merton

We amplify what we focus on. The first step to regaining balance in a noisy world is to be quiet and still. Listen closely to the inner voice that creates a beautiful symphony and turn it up.

“Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.” - Robert Fulghum

“Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.” - Robert Fulghum

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