our version v.s. reality...

"Try this: Imagine you are in a situation or with a person that you find unpleasant and that you would ordinarily avoid. Now observe how your [mind] instinctively becomes active, insisting that you avoid this situation or try to change it. And if you stay on there and refuse to change the situation, observe how the [mind] insists that you experience irritation or anxiety or guilt or some other negative emotion. Now keep looking at this unpleasant situation or person until you realize that it isn't they that are causing the negative emotions. They are just going their way, being themselves, doing their thing whether right or wrong, good or bad. 

It is your [mind] that, thanks to your programming, insists on your reacting with negative emotions. You will see this better if you realize that someone with a different programming when faced with this same situation or person or event would react quite calmly, even happily. Don't stop till you have grasped this truth: The only reason why you too are not reacting calmly and happily is your computer that is stubbornly insisting that reality be reshaped to conform to its programming. Observe all of this from the outside so to speak and see the marvelous change that comes about in you."
~ Anthony de Mello (20th century Indian Catholic mystic)

photo shopped image - from facebook

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~~~)oOo(~ open mind, open heart ~)oOo(~~~

~~~)oOo(~)oOo(~~~

"Realize that there isn't somebody in there to protect.
There is no need for an emotional barrier or the feelings 

of separation and isolation that come from that barrier.
The only reason you ever thought that you needed protection 

was because of a very innocent misunderstanding.

This happened because when you were given a concept
of yourself in very early childhood, you also received
a kit with which to build walls that would protect this concept.
You learned to add to the kit as circumstances arose.
If a good dose of anger seemed useful, you would add that
to the kit, or perhaps you added resentment, shame, blame,
or victimization. Whether you cling to a self-image as a good person
or an inadequate person, the kit of identity is used to protect that image."
~Adyashanti,
Emptiness Dancing

~~~)oOo(~)oOo(~~~