As you recognize that you already own the wholeness you seek, and no one outside you can give you more than you already are, dysfunctional situations will evaporate like bad dreams exposed to the morning sun.
Alan CohenRead
Enlightenment does not ask you to be perfect; it simply asks you to find perfection right where you stand.
Interpretation
Enlightenment encourages self-acceptance and appreciation of one's current state rather than striving for an unattainable perfection.
This quote by Alan Cohen suggests that enlightenment is not about achieving an idealized version of oneself, but rather recognizing and embracing the inherent perfection in your present situation. It underscores the notion that personal growth and understanding come from within, and that the journey to enlightenment lies in appreciating the moment and acknowledging one's existing strengths and qualities.
In practice
In a motivational speech about personal growth.
As you recognize that you already own the wholeness you seek, and no one outside you can give you more than you already are, dysfunctional situations will evaporate like bad dreams exposed to the morning sun.
Communication is an offering. When you tell someone your truth, you must release your expectation of what the other person should do with it. They may thank you profusely, love you forever, argue with you, or ignore you. It doesn't matter. Of course we hope the gift will be received with appreciation and thanks. But if it isn't we must not dictate. We've done our part, and we must trust the universe to do the rest.
When you learn to say yes to yourself, you will be able to say no to others, with love.
We attain freedom as we let go of whatever does not reflect our magnificence. A bird cannot fly high or far with a stone tied to its back. But release the impediment, and we are free to soar to unprecedented heights.
You can be helping many people, but if you are not helping yourself, you have missed the one person you were born to heal.
When you protect yourself from pain, be sure you do not protect yourself from love.
Whenever your feeling is in conflict with your wish, feeling will be the victor.
If you trained jiu-jitsu his whole life, why would you trade punches on fight night against a striker?
Writing about the indignities of old age: the daunting stairway to the restaurant restroom, the benefits of a wheelchair in airports and its disadvantages at cocktail parties, giving the user what he described as a child's-eye view of the party and a crotch-level view of the guests. Dying is a matter of slapstick and pratfalls. The aging process is not gradual or gentle. It rushes up, pushes you over and runs off laughing. No one should grow old who isn't ready to appear ridiculous.
We need an America with the wisdom of experience. But we must not let America grow old in spirit.
Rage is a powerful energy that with diligent practice can be transformed into fierce compassion. However much we disagree with our enemies, our task is to identify with them. They too feel justified in their point of view.
You can get into a habit of thought in which you enjoy making fun of all those other people who don't see things as clearly as you do. We have to guard carefully against it.
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