Some Quotes from Katie
Yesterday on this site, I pinpointed the importance of the new Katie book, A Thousand Names for Joy. Today I share some quotes with you that I like:
“I should” “I shouldn’t” “You should” “You shouldn’t” “I want” or “I need” --these unquestioned thoughts distort the appearance of the good. When you believe them, you make your mind small, and small-mindedness does not allow you to see why the loss of legs is good, why blindness is good, why sickness, hunger, death, a village wiped out, the whole apparent world of suffering is good. Reality will remain what it is, pure goodness, whether or not you understand.
Being present means living without control and always having your needs met. For people who are tired of the pain, nothing could be worse than trying to control what can’t be controlled. If you want real control, drop the illusion of control. Let life live you. It does anyway. You didn’t make the rain or the sun or the moon. You have no control over your lungs or your heart or your vision or your breath. One minute you’re fine and healthy, the next minute you’re not. When you try to be safe, you live your life being very, very careful and you may wind up having no life at all. Everything is nourishment. I like to say “Don’t be careful; you could hurt yourself.”
I tried to make my kids good. I lost them 20 years ago. I came to see that they were never mine to begin with. I taught them everything they know about anxiety and dependence, and now they are beginning to learn what freedom looks like.
Now if they ask me what to do, I say: “I don’t know, honey. I’ll listen and I’m here to support you in whatever decision you make. You can’t do it wrong, I promise you that.”
It’s painful to think you know what’s best for your children. When you think you need to protect them, you’re teaching them anxiety and dependence. But when you question your own thoughts, and stay out of your children’s business, finally there’s an example in the house: someone who knows how to live a happy life. When they notice that you have your act together, and that you are happy, they start to follow.
“I should” “I shouldn’t” “You should” “You shouldn’t” “I want” or “I need” --these unquestioned thoughts distort the appearance of the good. When you believe them, you make your mind small, and small-mindedness does not allow you to see why the loss of legs is good, why blindness is good, why sickness, hunger, death, a village wiped out, the whole apparent world of suffering is good. Reality will remain what it is, pure goodness, whether or not you understand.
Being present means living without control and always having your needs met. For people who are tired of the pain, nothing could be worse than trying to control what can’t be controlled. If you want real control, drop the illusion of control. Let life live you. It does anyway. You didn’t make the rain or the sun or the moon. You have no control over your lungs or your heart or your vision or your breath. One minute you’re fine and healthy, the next minute you’re not. When you try to be safe, you live your life being very, very careful and you may wind up having no life at all. Everything is nourishment. I like to say “Don’t be careful; you could hurt yourself.”
I tried to make my kids good. I lost them 20 years ago. I came to see that they were never mine to begin with. I taught them everything they know about anxiety and dependence, and now they are beginning to learn what freedom looks like.
Now if they ask me what to do, I say: “I don’t know, honey. I’ll listen and I’m here to support you in whatever decision you make. You can’t do it wrong, I promise you that.”
It’s painful to think you know what’s best for your children. When you think you need to protect them, you’re teaching them anxiety and dependence. But when you question your own thoughts, and stay out of your children’s business, finally there’s an example in the house: someone who knows how to live a happy life. When they notice that you have your act together, and that you are happy, they start to follow.
posted by Dr. Joe at 7:06 AM
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