"Joyful participation in the sorrows of the world"
What to say with today's news?
I came across this quote while reading a tribute to a dear friend who passed away two years ago:
"All life is sorrowful; there is however an escape from sorrow; the escape is Nirvana – which is a state of mind or consciousness, not a place somewhere, like heaven. It is right here, in the midst of the turmoil of life. It is the state you find when you are no longer driven to live by compelling desires, fears, and social commitments, when you have found your center of freedom and can act by choice out of that. Voluntary action out of this center is the action of the bodhisattvas – joyful participation in the sorrows of the world. "
The Power of Myth (p.203) Joseph Campbell
Joyful participation in the sorrows of the world sounds just about right. Hang in there, don't panic. We will get through this.
Helpful quote, Pam - thanks. Difficult to put into practice, sometimes.
Posted by: Matthew Cornell | Friday, 26 September 2008 at 05:50 AM
Lovely sentiment!
Posted by: rickumali | Friday, 26 September 2008 at 08:18 AM
Yes, we WILL get through this. Every time I hear someone complain about rising gas prices, I think about my parents. They lived through the Depression, they struggled, they probably thought the same thing when gas went up from 3 cents a gallon to 7 cents. But they wound up thriving and when they died in 2006, they left behind a comfortable estate. I figure, if THEY could do it, so can I.
Lovely post, Pam. Thank you.
Posted by: JB | Friday, 26 September 2008 at 10:58 AM
What an awesome post Pam.
It really struck me that out this place I can transform my own coaching and life. Open, compassionate and with joy that I am alive this moment.
Thanks. Really.
Posted by: Rick | Sunday, 05 October 2008 at 10:55 AM
The series of events as of late are making me reflect on the simplicity of life. Why do we need so many things? About 4 months ago, I dropped my car and decided that walking to work was much more pleasing to me anyhow. I have been able to keep an open optimistic mind throughout the struggles of the last few weeks, and I think if we each work smart, we will get through this together.
Posted by: strategic thinking | Thursday, 09 October 2008 at 11:03 AM