Right here, exactly where we are, we can live from a broader perspective, one that admits all experiences - pleasurable, painful and neutral. We are free to appreciate the infinite possibilities that are always available, free to recognize the natural openness, intelligence and warmth of the mind.
There's a common misunderstanding among all human beings who have ever been born on the Earth that the best way to live is to avoid pain and just try to get comfortable. You can see that even in insects and animals and birds. All of us are the same.
A much more interesting, kind, adventurous, and joyful approach to life is to begin to develop our curiosity, not caring whether the object of our inquisitiveness is bitter or sweet. To live a life that goes beyond pettiness or prejudice and always wanting to make sure that everything turns out on our own terms, to lead a more passionate, full, and delightful life than that, we must realize that we can endure a lot of pain and pleasure for the sake of finding out who we are and what the world is, how we tick and how our world ticks, how the whole thing just is.
- Pema Chödrön
from Taking the Leap and
from The Wisdom of No Escape
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