Daily Buddhist Wisdom

[Guest guest]

In the eating hall, a stuffed parrot hung from the ceiling, and from its

golden beak dangled a card that read, "We are in training to be nobody

special." I had often repeated this to myself, working against my need

for achievement and recognition, and the discontent that could engender.

"I am in training to be nobody special." Saying the words in my mind, I

felt how they redirected me from a certain seductive struggle and

excitement and disease, into a more stable focus: forget what others

think of you, forget the future goal of achievement; arrive instead in

this body/mind, attending to this present moment. This is the whole of

practice.

 

-Sandy Boucher, "Hidden Spring"

 

Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001. Reprinted from "Daily Wisdom: 365

Buddhist Inspirations," edited by Josh Bartok, with permission of Wisdom

Publications, 199 Elm St., Somerville MA 02144 U.S.A, www.wisdompubs.org.