In this way. You see and contemplate your body as composed of all the forces of the universe. Ardently and mindfully you steer your body-self by restraining your discontent with the world about you. In the same way, observe and contemplate your feelings and use that same ardent restraint and self-possession against enslavement by greed or desire. By seeing attachment to your body and feelings as blocking the truth, you dwell in self-possession and ardent liberation from those ties.
This is how you live as an island to yourself and a refuge to yourself. Whoever dwells in this contemplation, islanded by the truth and taking refuge in the truth--that one will come out of the darkness and into the light.
-Buddha, Digha Nikaya
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Wonderful, thank you Elena! :-)
ReplyDeleteBe an island to yourself, Ananda, your life be
ReplyDeleteOnly dharma." so said the lord to Ananda when Shariputra died? Beautiful sentence