Contrast

Iowa - June, 2013

I've always been fascinated by the contrast of "light" and "darkness" within ourselves and within the universe.

Below are some of my favorite quotes by Carl Jung in regards to darkness, pain and chaos, none of which are bad; they give us the opportunity to evolve:

"Filling the conscious mind with ideal conceptions is a characteristic of Western theosophy, but not the confrontation with the shadow and the world of darkness. One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious"

"Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better take things as they come along with patience and equanimity."

"There is no coming to consciousness without pain."

"In all chaos there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order."

"Nobody, as long as he moves about among the chaotic currents of life, is without trouble." 

"There can be no transforming of darkness into light and of apathy into movement without emotions."

"Man needs difficulties; they are necessary for health."

"We deem those happy who from the experience of life have learnt to bear its ills without being overcome by them."

Tea Tag - July 25

"Work, but don't forget to live"

Tea Tags

I thoroughly enjoy tea, and good quotes/inspirations. So, I've started photographing the Yogi tea tags that inspire and resonate with me most. More to come!

"Feel good, be good and do good." 

The Earth needs people who feel good and do good. Our time is short here, it is important to do these things and exactly in that order. One must feel good in order to be good and to do good. 

Books

“If you go home with somebody, and they don't have books, don't fuck 'em!”

~John Waters

One reason I struggle making decisions...

"Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever."
~Keri Russell

 

Each decision is intricately connected to our future and to those who are in and have touched our lives. Decisions link us to the various chapters of our lives...dynamic and ever changing...impermanent. To me, that feels like a big responsibility. Obviously, big decisions impact the direction of our lives, but the small ones do as well. As a result, I often stand at the crossroads, wondering which way to go. The problem is, if I stay there too long, I end up going nowhere. I was once told that even though there are many paths in front of me, no matter which I choose, it will take me to where I need to be. I should probably have more faith in that.  

Thoughts

"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make our world." 

- Buddha

Wonder beyond words

“To be alive in this beautiful, self-organizing universe -- to participate in the dance of life with senses to perceive it, lungs that breathe it, organs that draw nourishment from it -- is a wonder beyond words.” ― Joanna Macy

Sanctuary

"Remember, the entrance door to the sanctuary is inside you." 

~Rumi

Follow the heart

“Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.”

~ Rumi

Walk into the fear

"Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth."
Pema Chödrön