Peaceful Pond

Title: Peaceful Pond
Size: 5 x 7 inches
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Artist: betsisanders 2010

"in spite of all our problems and confusion, all our emotional and psychological ups and downs, there is something basically good about our existence as human beings. We start with the basic goodness of being alive. We can cure ourselves of depression if we recognize that the world we have and live in ... is good."

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Here are some of the teachings written by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, author of "How to Solve Our Human Problems".

*Avoid places that disturb your mind, and remain where your virtues increase.

*Avoid friends who cause you to increase your delusions (ignorance, desire, anger, jealousy, pride & doubt). Avoid conceited, proud and arrogant minds, and remain peaceful and subdued.

*Since there is never a time when worldly activities come to an end,then, limit your activities.

*Always watch your mind.

*Practice contentment.

*Words of praise and fame serve only to beguile us, so, blow them away.

*Do not be attached to anything.

*Have no hatred for enemies and no attachment for friends.

*Do not look for faults in others, but look for faults in your self.

*Do not contemplate on your own good qualities, but contemplate the good qualities of others.

*Keep a smiling face and a loving mind.

*Speak in moderation and only when necessary.

*Stop activities that are not spiritual.

*Since you cannot tame the minds of others until you have tamed your own, begin by taming your mind now.

*Practice giving.

*Be free from anger.

*Offending a holy being is worse than dying.

***Since happiness , pleasure and friends you gather in this life last only for a moment, put them all behind you. Since future lives last for a very long time, gather up riches to provide for the future.

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Peaceful pond... just an ideal place where one can be still and quiet.

One can learn to be at peace in the midst of traffic during rush hour or in a fast food place filled with hungry people during lunch hour. Any place, anywhere, any time is good. One can learn to be quiet and be at peace even in the middle of all the chaos and the "busy-ness" of life.

Keep still, Focus on your breathe. Silence your mind. If a thought comes, follow it and watch it go away. One easy way to free your mind of thoughts is think of your next thought. This way, your mind will be free of any thought.

Learn to appreciate the goodness in your surroundings, the goodness in the people around you, and the goodness that is in all of us.

Love, love lots. truly love =] betsisanders 2010