Encouraging words...

Although we all seem to think that the realization of the mind's nature is very difficult and hard to understand, why should it be? It is not the case at all that it is something far away from us, for which we need to search avidly. If anything, it is too close to us, because it is right here, right in our midst. And second, it is not because it is too subtle or too profound or too difficult to understand that we do not realize it. We do not see it because it is too easy, too simple and too obvious. It is not the case that there is anything we need to do to this mind's nature in order to realize it. Even if we were to accept that the mind's nature is within us and is right here all the time, if we think we have to somehow alter it or improve it or get it into fit shape in order to be able to see it directly, then of course that could be difficult. We do not have to change anything bad into anything good; we do not have to get rid of anything that exists, or create anything that does not exist. If you simply see your mind as it is, just as it is right now, that in itself will generate great meditation. This is therefore both easy and profound.

from Pointing Out the Dharmakaya, by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

Worth visiting:
http://killingthebuddha.com/

We are conditioned to have preferences about time and other ephemeral qualities of moments that diminish our everyday experience. Monday moments can be blemished with the spectre of another week of work lying ahead. Wednesday is better; Thursday better yet, as the perceived greater freedom of the weekend approaches. Obsession with the weekly calendar is only one way we spoil the profundity of experience. Serious talks with the boss; suffering through an afternoon with the chills of a bad cold; babies crying and needing tending in the middle of the night, all can be series of "bad" moments. Making love, cavorting on the beach, the first sip of a great of wine, are "better," more preferable moments. But not so.
All moments, without exception, are infused with the same profound essence. All moments are completely open in their nature, all equally powerful, and in fact, radiant at their core. The labels of bad or better are slapped on top of that unceasing shining loving presence. We can access this realization, this pre-perception of moments, in all moments and at any "time," and put the lie to the labelling and the favourable/unfavourable projections onto life. Every moment is essentially free and fresh in a non-clinging emotional and mental environment. Every one, no matter when it happens or it's temporary content. I learned that meditating.

I do not share with my colleagues at work that I practice Buddhism. Journalism is, for the most part, a cynical and materialistic livelihood. Anyone talking in an environment like that about practicing Buddhist meditation would quickly be branded as a flake. It’s ironic, because I see Buddhas walking around the newsroom all the time.

That said, when I’m practicing hardest, I am not a Buddhist or anything else. There is just awareness, with an open, friendly and curious flavour; just awareness, with no labels like “Buddhist” hanging off it at all.

“If your practice continues, enlightenment will come. But even if it does not, if your practice is good, it is almost the same.”
Shunryu Suzuki Roshi