More on mindfulness: Quotes

Here is a quote from Thich Nhat Hanh, in The Miracle of Mindfulness, page 49:

“We are life, and life is limitless. Perhaps one can say that we are only alive when we live the life of the world, and so live the sufferings and joys of others. The suffering of others is our own suffering, and the happiness of others is our own happiness. If our lives have no limits…our self also has no limits. The impermanent character of the universe, the successses and failures of life can no longer manipulate us. Having seen the reality of interdependence and entered deeply into its reality, nothing can oppress you any longer.”

The following is by Bhante Henepola Gunarantana, from the book Mindfulness in Plain English(p. 139).

“We can’t examine our own depression without accepting it fully. The same is true for irritation and agitation, frustration, and all those other uncomfortable emotional states. You can’t examine someting fully if you are busy rejecting its existence. Whatever experience we may be having, mindfulness just accepts it.”