From the blog www.blissanddrumming.com, read by Clementine.

***

This is what Goenka would call “the art of living.” It is not about arranging life so nothing will go wrong, since we are on a train that has stops and starts that are vastly unpredictable. The art of living depends on finding our true self, the awareness that watches the trip play out. When we see ourselves from this vantage point, we feel such a well of love and compassion for our egoic selves: our personalities, with all the thoughts and emotions. This is part of what helps us get through the difficulties, this compassion for ourselves. The more we learn to step back and watch our thoughts without reacting to them, the more we celebrate every moment of this journey. With every detour, we learn more about our resilience; we appreciate the joy and beauty that exists around us even as we struggle; and we recognize our eternal capacity for peace.