A spacious and undefended heart

True peace comes with the discovery that we can respect the seasons of life with a spacious and undefended heart.  In it we learn to trust, to rest in the truth of the way things are, to willingly accept the measure of joy and sorrow we are given.

– Jack Kornfield, The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace

9 thoughts on “A spacious and undefended heart”

  1. Having been buried in a bit of sorrow and grief lately, these words ring true for me. Slowly I am starting to accept that these things are a part of life – sad, but a part of life nonetheless.

  2. The hardest part, for me, is to leave my heart “undefended.” Spacious I can do. I’ve always felt my (any human’s) heart is cavernous. A lot to think about for today. Hugs! — Margaret

  3. Love this, Lindsey. It seems everything, lately, is about openheartedness.

    I am going to a conference this weekend with Jack and Tara Brach. Can hardly sit still, I am so happy! Will report back….

    Thank you…

    XOXO

  4. This is nice, Lindsey. To willingly accept the measure of joy and sorrow we are given. I like this. It seems to make it a passive act. Rather than trying to change attitude, outcomes……sometimes change, change, change gets hard. I will try to willingly accept.

  5. Sometimes the right words find us at exactly the right moment. I lost someone very special this morning, and these words are the perfect solace. Thank you.

  6. Have you ever had a week when the Universe was just trying to get a message through to you? This week at yoga (have I already told you this?) my teacher let me know I was “over-efforting” as I tried to recieve the openness allowed by inner thighs back.

    And now this lovely quote.

    Along with about 16 other reminders to just, merely, simply, allow myself to open and receive.

    See how relaxed I am? 🙂

  7. I am not often a quote seeker or appreciator really. But I thought of this all weekend long. For no particular reason. It was just comforting. It helped me appreciate the moments of the weekend. Thank you.

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