Reflections on Silver River Quotes

“Someone slanders you because she is hurt, jealous or offended. Imagine praising her. Initially, this approach is counterintuitive. It makes little sense to the rational mind. When you actually do it, however, you come to appreciate that everyone is in pain at some level, and blindly increasing the pain in the world does not help anyone — not your enemy, nor anyone else affected, nor you.”
― Ken I McLeod, Reflections on Silver River: Tokme Zongpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva

“The illusion of control is itself an indication of a lack of freedom.”
― Ken I McLeod, Reflections on Silver River: Tokme Zongpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva

“Even if someone humiliates you and denounces you In front of a crowd of people, Think of this person as your teacher And humbly honor him — this is the practice of a bodhisattva.”
― Ken I McLeod, Reflections on Silver River: Tokme Zongpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva

“In traditional societies, a lot of learning took place by just watching. When you studied with a master sushi chef, you cleaned knives while the chef worked. But you watched. You paid attention. After three to five years, you were finally allowed to pick up a knife. You could cut properly almost right away because your body had taken in how to hold and move the knife. Renaissance master artists used the same method with brushes instead of knives. This method is rarely used these days. People say they do not have the time, but the learning that takes place is deep and lasting.”
― Ken I McLeod, Reflections on Silver River: Tokme Zongpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva

“When you squabble with others about status and rewards, You undermine learning, reflection and meditation. Let go of any investment in your family circle Or the circle of those who support you — this is the practice of a bodhisattva.”
― Ken I McLeod, Reflections on Silver River: Tokme Zongpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva

“If you don’t subdue the enemy inside — your own anger — The more enemies you subdue outside, the more that come. Muster the forces of loving kindness and compassion, And subdue your own mind — this is the practice of a bodhisattva.”
― Ken I McLeod, Reflections on Silver River: Tokme Zongpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva

“Even if someone humiliates you and denounces you In front of a crowd of people, Think of this person as your teacher And humbly honor him —”
― Ken I McLeod, Reflections on Silver River: Tokme Zongpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva

“Don’t engage disturbances and emotional reactions gradually fade away; Don’t engage distractions and spiritual practice naturally grows; Keep awareness clear and vivid and confidence in the way arises. Rely on silence — this is the practice of a bodhisattva.”
― Ken I McLeod, Reflections on Silver River: Tokme Zongpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva

“The spiritual practice described here is not about becoming a better person. It is not about increasing your skills, being more effective in your life, healing old wounds or being successful. It is about finding a way that leaves you at peace in your life and free to respond to others in whatever way is appropriate.”
― Ken I McLeod, Reflections on Silver River: Tokme Zongpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva

“When you can let the mists of life appear and disappear on their own, you discover an internal quiet, an internal space, which is always there. When you develop the ability to rest and look in that quiet you see that there is absolutely nothing there. This insight is often a shock, and when you experience it, your understanding of who and what you are changes dramatically. You see that there is no “I” as such. “I” is, itself, a collection of thoughts, feelings and sensations that come and go. Are you a constantly reconfiguring collection? Are you the space, the awareness? Are you nothing at all? Are you everything? In the face of these questions you fall silent, for there are no answers.”
― Ken I McLeod, Reflections on Silver River: Tokme Zongpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva

“As your practice matures and deepens, old wounds may come to the surface and heal. You may well become more effective and more responsive in your interactions with others. However, these are side effects of spiritual practice. When you take them as the aim of practice, you reduce practice to a form of self-improvement. The focus on yourself separates you from life, and you limit the chances of your finding a way to embrace the perplexing and baffling mystery of the human condition.”
― Ken I McLeod, Reflections on Silver River: Tokme Zongpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva

“A Zen master was heartbroken when her son died. At the funeral she cried and cried. Her disciples were surprised. “Didn’t you teach us,” they asked, “that everything is illusion?” She glared at them and said, “If you don’t understand that each tear I shed saves countless sentient beings, you know nothing about Zen.” Are”
― Ken I McLeod, Reflections on Silver River: Tokme Zongpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva

“If you let go of the pursuit of happiness, what would you do? To put it a bit more dramatically, suppose you were told that, no matter what you did, you would never be happy. Never. What would you do with your life? You”
― Ken I McLeod, Reflections on Silver River: Tokme Zongpo's Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva