📿 Musings from Monks
‘Musings from Monks’ is an occasional series that explores insights from the writings of monks, mystics, and martyrs. These short guided contemplations are designed to deliver meditations, prompts, and practices. May they help you (and me) reflect on what it means to live a contemplative life.
“Look within. Be still. Free from fear and attachment. Know the sweet joy of the way.”
— The Buddha
We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts, we make the world.
Speak or act with an impure mind, and trouble will follow you.
As the wheel follows the ox that draws the cart.
—
We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts, we make the world.
Speak or act with a pure mind, and happiness will follow you.
As your shadow, unshakable.
How can a troubled mind understand the way?
Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own thoughts, unguarded. …
+Adapted from the Dhammapada (or sayings of the Buddha)
As you navigate your day (or week), consider noticing the thoughts that arise most frequently. How would you categorize your most common thought patterns (e.g., worry, planning, judging, comparing, …)?
Paradoxically, the mind can cause great suffering or the path to peace. As the Buddha taught, “I do not see even one other thing that, when untamed, unguarded, unprotected, and unrestrained, leads to such great harm as the mind.” But there is good news. We can choose to work with (or train) our minds to let go of unskillful thought habits.
