As we go through our very busy and often stressful lives I feel we can all use a little inspiration and some reminders of what is possible and what really matters in life. I’ve found so much of my inspiration for living a meaningful and fulfilling life in the wisdom of Buddha.
So today I’m sharing 10 of my favorite quotes from Buddha with the lessons I’ve taken away from them. To help make these meaningful and relevant in your life I’ve also added a question for you to answer – which if you take action on have the potential to create enormous change in your life.
I hope these help, guide and inspire you as much as they have me.
- INNER PEACE
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”
No material possessions in the world will bring you true and lasting happiness or peace. Instead you need to go within and connect with the essence of who you are and your core values as an individual so that you can intentionally live in alignment with these and experience lasting inner peace regardless of outside circumstances.
How do you spend time each day connecting with yourself?
- HAPPINESS
“There is no path to happiness: happiness is the path.”
As with inner peace, happiness is not something to be sought outside of yourself – it is something you create from within, it a choice you make in how you show up and live each day. Happiness is definitely a journey and not an ultimate destination so enjoy the scenery along the route.
What do you consistently do to bring happiness into your life?
- THOUGHTS
“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.”
To create a positive reality and life you must manage and control your thoughts to be both positive and empowering. Your thoughts affect your feelings, which affect your actions, which determine the results you experience in your life. Every thought you have is a choice that only you control so make the conscious decision to take control of that which will determine the outcomes you experience every day in your life.
How do you manage and control your thoughts so they are positive and empowering?
- SPEECH
“Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.”
Words hold incredible power to both destroy and heal. Before you speak think about the impact of what you are about to say – is it necessary, is it true, is kind, is it helpful? How would you feel if you were on the receiving end of what you are about to say? Remember also that it is not just the words you speak that matter but the tone and manner in which they are delivered that carry enormous impact.
What is your tripwire to make sure you think before you speak?
- JUDGMENT
“He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye.”
Always remember that you can only see in others what you have within yourself and that you see things from your experience of the world, which is not necessarily the way it is! As you seek to be understood make sure you also take the time and effort to understand others. It may also help to remember that almost everyone is speaking and acting from their current level of consciousness, awareness and insight – so be patient and look to serve and support rather than judge and ridicule.
How can you be more including versus judgmental of people in your life?
- ACTION
“An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.”
Everything you know, everything you have read and learnt, every idea and project you have imagined and dreamt of is useless unless you put it into action. Do not spend your life preparing to be ready or waiting for the perfect time or to have your plan perfectly mapped out – none of this will happen. You just need to take a leap of faith, get onto the court of life and embrace the scrapes and bruises you will acquire along the way. This is how you will movie forward, learn, grow and get closer to what you most want. None of this will happen sitting on the sidelines watching and observing.
What can you do today that will put your dreams and ambitions into play?
- LOVE
“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.”
It is time to stop beating yourself up for what you feel you have not done or accomplished and what you feel you lack or could have done better. It is time to stand up and focus on your strengths and the belief that anything is possible and forgive yourself for all the areas where you feel you have failed. It is time to love all of who you, not just what you feel the world accepts and admires.
How can you show compassion and love towards yourself every day?
- WISDOM
“Imagine that every person in the world is enlightened but you. They are all your teachers, each doing just the right things to help you learn perfect patience, perfect wisdom, perfect compassion.”
Know that every experience you have in your life, no matter how challenging it may seem at the time holds a lesson and gift of some kind if you are willing to seek it out. Be patient and willing to reflect until the answers come.
How will you remain open to the lessons life presents you with and learn and grow from them?
- TRUTH
“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”
Finding your own truth’s in life is critical. There is no one size fits all for anything! You need to look at all things in the context of who you are and who you want to be, what your life goals and ambitions are, what you are committed to, what will serve you right now and then make decisions that feel right to you, regardless of what other’s may think or say. More than anything you need to be true to yourself and that may mean that your decisions in life will not always be the popular one’s but they will be the right ones for you!
Are you willing to embrace your uniqueness and stand out from the crowd?
10. PATIENCE
“Do not overlook tiny good actions, thinking they are of no benefit; even tiny drops of water in the end will fill a huge vessel.”
Nothing happens overnight! Behind every success lies many, many, many hours of hard work, sacrifice, struggle, challenge and sleepless nights. So be have a clear vision of the outcome you desire and be prepared to put in consistent effort with a commitment to excellence and success will appear. Take a leap of faith and then take one step at a time, getting up every time you fall and then continuing on towards your dream.
What will you do that others are not willing to do to achieve the results you want?
Share your favorite quotes and lessons from Buddha below in the comments section. I’d love to know how his teachings have impacted YOU!
“In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.” ~ Buddha
Until next week – embrace your inner truth, live your purpose and make your contribution in the world.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Lauren
