321 Quotes by Martha Beck

As any good Buddhist will tell you, the only way to find permanent joy is by embracing the fact that nothing is permanent.

No matter how difficult and painful it may be, nothing sounds as good to the soul as the truth.

Make stuff up. Anyone who ever did something new or interesting was making it up as they went along.

The average adult laughs 15 times a day; the average child, more than 400 times.

Trying to motivate yourself with fear is like screaming at a child, “Do something, dammit!” You’ll either freeze up or act in counterproducti ve ways. Fear widens the knowing-doing gap. Don’t use it.

Stop trying to change your behavior; instead, rethink your beliefs

All religious leaders and spiritual teachers emphasize finding a place within us that is true. People who obsessively follow these leaders instead of their own purpose attach to the spiritual leader and become fanatical and controlling. That's why Jesus tried to tell his followers not to get attached to outward form.

Own your failure openly, publicly, with genuine regret but absolutely no shame, and you’ll reap a harvest of forgiveness, trust, respect, and connection-the things you thought you’d get by succeeding. Ironic, isn’t it?

The only map of your right life is written on your soul at its most peaceful, and the only sure compass is your heart at its most open.