Oscar "the Grouch" Diaz
"

Whether you like it or not, you came into this world hardwired with a reflexive neurological system that instantly goes on red alert when you perceive danger. Your system leaps into action to overcome that danger. The amygdala region in the brain, also called the primitive fear center, dates back to an earlier period in our evolution, having first evolved in our reptilian ancestors. This ancient, fear-based, knee-jerk part of the human brain still serves a certain limited purpose in contemporary life, but it also continually causes us trouble. Why? Because the amygdala cannot tell the difference between a real danger facing you in the present moment and an imagined situation in your mind.

Imagination, the same mental function that enables human beings to be so creative and productive, often generates fearful fantasy scenarios about the future that keep you gripped by unnecessary stress and anxiety. But my observation (and that of most therapists) is that, most of the time, you have the cognitive ability to quiet those anxious thoughts and move into a more peaceful, enjoyable, productive state of consciousness. This is what meditation is about – change your focus, change your life.

"

John Selby, “Expand this Moment” (via journeytoenlightenment)

(via journeytoenlightenment-deactiva)

"Buddhism explains that our normal state of mind is such that our thoughts and emotions are wild and unruly, and since we lack the mental discipline needed to tame them, we are powerless to control them. As a result, they control us. And thoughts and emotions, in their turn, tend to be controlled by our negative impulses rather than our positive ones. We need to reverse this cycle."

Dalai Lama, “The Dalai Lama’s Little Book of Wisdom” (via journeytoenlightenment)

(via journeytoenlightenment-deactiva)

"Keep your heart clear and transparent,
And you will never be bound.
A single disturbed thought
Creates ten thousand distractions."

Ryokan (via journeytoenlightenment)

(via journeytoenlightenment-deactiva)

The mind in its conditioned state, that is to say, when limited to words and ego games, is continuously in thought−formation activity. The nervous system in a state of quiescence, alert, awake but not active is comparable to what Buddhists call the highest state of dhyana (deep meditation) when still united to a human body.

(via The Psychedelic Experience)

"When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog chasing a stick; every time a stick is thrown, you run after it. Instead be like a lion who, rather than chasing after the stick, turns to face the thrower. One only throws a stick at a lion once."