Pay attention to the details of ordinary everyday things. By doing this we are expressing appreciation: friendship toward ourselves and toward the living quality that is found in everything. This combination of mindfulness and appreciation connects us fully with reality and brings us joy.
You cultivate skills as you go through life, maybe in your work, in the arts or in competition. Self-cultivation and learning for any reason is not merely for the acquisition and practice of skills, it is a path to your innermost being and understanding of self.
When we think we know the answers we are difficult to guide. When we realize we don’t know, it becomes easy to find our way; by keeping your mind open you become aware of numerous possibilities. The ancients taught the supreme value of a beginner’s mind.
In difficult times, a task can be accomplished by caution and deliberation. If we wish to achieve something we first need to investigate the forces and bring these forces to bear in the proper place and the proper time; first we must be at the correct standpoint ourselves, only then can we work correctly.
Quote: Rediscovering joy—or better yet, discovering it newly—remains part of my life’s journey to this day.