~ Chinese proverb
I've come across several versions of this wisdom several times in the past few months. (I think this means I'm supposed to pay close attention. Perhaps you are too?)
The quote above I just read yesterday in Finding the Gift: Daily
Meditations for Mindfulness by Angela Howell.
Here is the first version I read a few months ago in an excerpt from Minding the Body, Mending the Mind by Joan Borysenko:
"St. Francis de Sales had a great comment about wandering thoughts (in meditation): You can’t stop the birds
from flying back and forth over your head, but you can stop them from nesting in your hair."
Joan goes on to say, "Try to do just that. Let the thoughts come and go as if they were birds passing across the blue sky of a clear mind. The clear blue that you will perceive when the thoughts slow down is peace. Peace of mind."
Whether we are trying to completely clear our mind of thoughts while meditating (which is impossible), or trying to completely avoid worries and
fears (also impossible), may we remember that thoughts of all kinds are going to pass through our minds, like birds flying across the sky.
With wisdom and compassion, may we let them be and let them go, without feeding them and encouraging them to stay and make a home upon our heads, or in our
heads. Or in our hearts
May we remember and choose peace.
With strength,
Charlene
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