According to Buddhism, everything around us, including work and family relationships, is the reflection of our inner lives. Everything is perceived through the self and alters according to the individual’s inner state of life. Thus, if we change ourselves, our circumstances will inevitably change also.

This is a liberating concept as it means that there is no need to seek enlightenment outside ourselves or in a particular place. Wherever we are, in whatever circumstances, we can bring forth our innate Buddhahood, thus transforming our experience of our environment into “the Buddha’s land”–a joy-filled place where we can create value for ourselves and for others.

Courtesy April 1998 SGI Quarterly

When we look deeply into ourselves, we can identify elements of the Kingdom of God that are available in the here and now. To me the Kingdom of God or the Pure Land of the Buddha is not a vague idea; it is a reality. That pine tree standing on the mountain is so beautiful, solid, and green. To me the pine tree belongs to the Kingdom of God, the Pure Land of the Buddha. Your beautiful child with her fresh smile belongs to the Kingdom of God, and you also belong to the Kingdom of God.

If we’re capable of recognizing the flowing river, the blue sky, the blossoming tree, the singing bird, the majestic mountains, the countless animals, the sunlight, the fog, the snow, the innumerable wonders of life as miracles that belong to the Kingdom of God, we’ll do our best to preserve them and not allow them to be destroyed. If we recognize that this planet belongs to the Kingdom of God, we will cherish and protect it so we can enjoy it for a long time, and so that our children and their children will have a chance to enjoy it.

The Buddha teaches us about the cycle of samsara, a cycle in which the same suffering repeats itself. If we don’t practice, we won’t be able to step out of it.

~Thich Nhat Hanh

Solitude helps to improve concentration and increase productivity. When you remove as many distractions and interruptions as you can from your day, you are better able to concentrate, which will help you get more work done in a shorter amount of time.

Solitude gives you an opportunity to discover yourself and find your own
voice. When you’re a part of a group, you’re more likely to go along
with what the group is doing or thinking, which isn’t always the actions
you would take or the decisions you would make if you were on your own.

Solitude
can enhance the quality of your relationships with others. By spending
time with yourself and gaining a better understanding of who you are and
what you desire in life, you’re more likely to make better choices
about who you want to be around. You also may come to appreciate your
relationships more after you’ve spent some time alone.

Source: psychologytoday

http://leelavadeeflower.blogspot.com/2014/08/max-has-been-waiting-to-play-with-me.html

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There is much suffering in the world – physical, material, mental. The suffering of some can be blamed on the greed of others. The material and physical suffering is suffering from hunger, from homelessness, from all kinds of diseases. But the greatest suffering is being lonely, feeling unloved, having no one. I have come more and more to realize that it is being unwanted that is the worst disease that any human being can ever experience.

If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride, because it shows you trust in your own powers. Never bother about other people’s opinions. Be humble and you will never be disturbed. Remember St. Aloysius, who said he would continue to play billiards even if he knew he was going to die. Do you play well? Sleep well? Eat well? These are duties. Nothing is small for God. ~ Mother Theresa

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“Music is the moonlight in the gloomy night of life.” ― Friedrich Richter
“Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.” ― Maria von Trapp
“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.”
― Khalil Gibran

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