The greatest form of frustration is usually the result of an unmet expectation. Why expect things to unfold as our limited mind creates is insane when there are limitless possibilities of the way in which the future may unfold.

Whenever you feel ‘hurt’ (psychologically speaking), notice what thought is causing you the apparent hurt feeling. Ask yourself: Is this thought absolutely true? More than not, it’s just a thought bubble that has ‘grabbed’ your attention.

Training for the 500-mile Camino de Santiago with a 30-lb rucksack. Pushing pass the comfort zone!

A friend of mine and sangha brother, who is a world-renowned meditation teacher, is offering a virtual meditation retreat. Jeff Carreira’s gift is he has the ability to make the seemingly difficult so simple for participant. I’m a big fan.
emergenceeducation.com/programs/keys-…

Step outside. Listen to the birds tweet. Now listen to the absence of sound between the bird tweets. This 1-pointed attention elicits an internal, indescribable stillness within you.
In other words, you are resting as your peaceful (thought-less) Self. #meditation

Without reference to memory or expectations, what is holding you back from enjoying today?

A great way to start the day is with Gratitude. I sit here awaiting my quarterly lab work & feeling physically & spiritually great, seeing a host of patients awaiting their medical appointments in a state of suffering or sadness. I am grateful to be able to witness without worry.

If you desire Enlightenment, the only (placeless) place is Now!

It’s hard to accept that your friend/family member can’t be talked out of their apparent delusions & difficulties (drama). They must realize - fully Feel & Understand the Truth (experiential advice) - for themself.

I’d wager that you and I are exactly the same at the very end of our next breath! Pause briefly & witness this Grace-filled gap where there’s no difference between us in color, sex, size, beliefs, energy, preferences, or opinions.

Maya calling the koi … feeding time follows! Nature is beautifully magical.

Why would you choose to repeat/replay the suffering of your past? Any sane person would not! But we do exactly that in the absence of forgiveness.

“Wisdom is knowing I am nothing.
Love is knowing I am everything.
And between the 2 my life moves.” #Nisargadatta
So true for all of us if we allow it.

Ironically the strongest hand is that which has the energy & power to ‘let go’. How strong are you really if you can’t let go of past comparisons, gripes or criticisms? You obviously won’t have the full mental strength to embrace the present moment with all that it unfolds.

I often refer to ways in which we can strengthen &/or rest our minds & thus relieve suffering. But these strategies are more easily managed when our bodies are maintained in good health.

Reboot ‘why’ into ‘how’. Not why did this happen TO me? But how does this happen FOR me to evolve, become stronger, more knowledgeable & awaken?

Every one of us is perfectly equipped for Enlightenment (ever-present Peace). The work on the Path is not discovering, but uncovering, the essential equipment we have already been gifted. Hint: it starts (with) Now!

The past has served its purpose - perfectly - to bring you exactly right here & now. So, embrace it, celebrate it, share it, take advantage of it. It is all there IS!

3 steps to less misery & more quiet joy:
1) Observe what arises in your mind (voice-in-the-head).
2) See how you act on this mind chatter.
3) Witness the results of your actions - contentment on the inside & harmony on the outside.

For those like Joe, who would enjoy investing 13 minutes, here’s my Pitt Commencement speech from a week ago… youtu.be/EA3h-oAcbIY