April Read

Title: The Untethered Soul: the Journey Beyond Yourself
Author: Singer, Michael
Call number: 153 S617U 2007
Summery from the publisher:
Who are you? In this remarkable book, author and spiritual guide Michael Singer explores this fundamental question, seeking the very root of consciousness in order to help readers learn how to dwell in the present moment. Written in an engaging and uncomplicated voice, this book will open readers up to the radical and powerful experience of simply being themselves.
My Read:
I found the following paragraph very inspiring:
"When you move in the Tao, you are always present. Life becomes absolutely simple. In the Tao, it's easy to see what's happening in life-it's unfolding right in front of you. But if you have all kinds of reactions going on inside because you're involved in the extremes, life seems confusing, That's because you're confused, not because life's confusing.

When you stop being confused, everything becomes simple. If you have no preference, if the only thing you want is to remain centered, then life unfolds while you simply feel for the center. There is an invisible thread that passes through everything. All things move quietly through that center balance. That is the Tao. It is really there. It is there in your relationships, in your diet, and in your business activities. It is there in everything. It is the eye of the storm. It is completely at peace."-Page 169

March Read

Title: Make Peace with Your Mind: How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Free You From Your Inner Critic
Author: Coleman, Mark
Call Number:
Book Description from amazon.com
The inner critic is the voice inside our heads reminding us that we are never “good enough.” It’s behind the insidious thoughts that can make us second-guess our every action and doubt our own value. The inner critic might feel overpowering, but it can be managed effectively. Meditation teacher and therapist Mark Coleman helps readers understand and free themselves from the inner critic using the tools of mindfulness and compassion. Each chapter offers constructive insights into what creates, drives, and disarms the critic; real people’s journeys to inspire and guide readers; and simple practices anyone can use to live a free, happy, and flourishing life.
My Read:
As I close this book, the following sentence from the book stays with me:
"The emotion doesn't define who you are. It is simply a visitor."--Page 211
This sentence reminds me of one saying from one well-known Buddhist book called "金剛經."
It says: 應無所住而生其心.
This is what I understand: One shouldn't allow anything to register in the mind to bring about emotions.
Emotions ebb and flow. In real life people come and go. We shouldn't make any change of who we are to dance with them. We can simply observe and be mindful of what's happening. Visitors come and they will, eventually, leave us. And we stay for we are the master.