When we seek to understand
Compassion grows
Where there is compassion
Love begins
Where there is love
Peace is possible
Where there is peace
Joy is found
At this beautiful moment
Transformation can occur
Category: awaken
Holiness
Billions of humans
All which are holy
No matter
How lost
Broken
Confused
Hurt
Blinded by anger
Suffocated in fear
I vow to see the holiness in all
But first
I must treat myself
As a holy man
No matter how lost
Or broken I am.
When I’m Gone.
When I’m gone
I’ll become a flower
When I leave
I’ll become a mighty oak tree
Matter
Is infinite
Never created
Never destroyed
So can we truly die?
Or can we only transform?
Oneness.
We are nature.
A gentle breeze grazes me.
As I gaze into the deep blue sea.
Nature reminding me once more,
How beautiful she truly is.
May we see the oneness of nature.
Oneness of everything.
The illusion of separation blind us from the ultimate truth.
We are nature.
As long as this illusion lasts.
We will not wake up to save ourselves.
I Have Arrived.
I am home.
I have arrived.
Present in this moment.
Focused on my breathe.
Letting go of my attachments.
My fears & doubts.
I am home.
I have arrived.
In the now.
Big Egos.
The ego whispers “you’re right”. Unchecked, our ego will lead us into hatred of anyone who different than us. Hatred cannot be stopped by more hatred. It’s a vicious unstoppable circle of ego, fear, and hatred. Without the light of peace, the circle is infinite. Apathy & fear fuel the ego. I believe compassion and love can bring humanity true peace. Does humanity really want peace though? That’s a million dollar question. If we truly want peace we have to be mindful of the ego and its tendency to label everything as “right” or “wrong”. Labeling is the first step to hatred and violence. Labeling isn’t always bad (foods, streets, colors, etc) but when we label our fellow humans we put them in boxes; which we then label “right” or “wrong”. This distorts reality and makes peace difficult.
Understanding is the first step towards peace.
Without understanding peace is not possible. This is why mindful listening is so important in peace talks. Understanding the suffering inside another is a skill we can develop with compassion. Understanding, compassion, and peace are intertwined at their core.
Do we truly want peace or to be right?
I see this in my fellow animal right’s activists. Well-intentioned people who let their ego blind them. They care more about being right than understanding meat eaters. They end up pushing their meat-eating brothers & sisters further from plant-based living; causing more violence in the world. We all have been guilty of letting our ego take control of a conversation. I intend to show true compassion to all living beings, even those who believe the exact opposite of me. How will they know peace if we don’t show them? MLK, Gandhi, Jesus, Buddha, and Mother Theresa all preached this message of peace.
Let’s start today by mindfully listening to others instead of allowing our ego to lead into hatred. If we truly want peace in this world we must live peacefully with all living beings. By living this way, we leave the world a better place than we arrived.
With Aloha,
Johnny Hoffman
The Noble Truth.
Everything & everyone is impermanent.
All matter is in a constant state of flow.
Many resist this noble truth.
Hiding from its ever casting shadow.
Running to distraction.
Denying impermanence.
Resistance is futile.
Resistance is suffering.
Resistance steals joy.
The time is now.
To accept this noble truth.
All matter is in a constant state of movement.
Now is the time to live.
Now is the time to love that you are alive.
Not fear your impermanence.
Keep Moving Forward.
Freedom or security.
Love or fear.
Let go or cling.
Impermanence surrounds every moment.
Keep moving forward.
The Awakening of Pascal.
A vicious storm has almost sunk Pascal’s ship. It was unexpected and disastrous. Will he recover? Or will he be damaged permanently?
Pascal lays still on the main deck.
His breath shallow.
Nearly dead.
His first officer Pablo has taken over in these trying times.
In the coming weeks, Pascal slowly recovers.
Time seems to be in slow motion for Pascal.
All seems clearer after the storm.
Dark clouds clearing to an open sky.
Pascal has realized that his suffering is of his own doing.
Holding onto whats gone.
Going with fear based decisions.
Mis-judgments.
Limiting beliefs.
Pascal vows to do better.
Time.
What time is it?
I glance at my clock.
The time is now.
I must change.
I must grow.
I must let go.
Now.
Impermanence.
The constant flow of time.
A seed grows into a tree.
A baby grows into a young adult.
Dreams.
Love.
Peace.
Compassion.
Joy.
Now.
Breathing in deeply I embrace my impermanence.
Breathing out I feel joy pulsate throughout my body.
I vow to not waste my life.
I vow to live in the now.
For this is not my practice life.
The Narrow Path 