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    “[The patient] was sure that if he worked hard enough, suffered long enough, or (failing that) at least if he were to be rescued by me, then Nirvana could be his. He can bear his pain for a while if only someday, someway, he will be able to reach a state of blissful perfection, a time when he will have no more conflicts, anxieties, or uncertainties. As I come toppling down off the pedestal on which he has placed me, he is horrified to learn that enlightenment does not provide perfection. Instead, it simply offers the pedestrian possibility of living with the acceptance of imperfection.”

    Sheldon B. Kopp, If You Meet Buddha On The Road, Kill Him! (Page 134)

    Jill Churchill Quote on Focusing Less on Perfection and More on Doing Good

      “There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one.”

      Jill Churchill

      Beyond the Quote (128/365)

      There’s too much pressure on being perfect. Mostly, pressure that we put on ourselves. We want to look perfect—not only in our eyes, but in the eyes of others. We want to act perfectly—to never make a mistake or do something that we might otherwise regret. We want to feel that perfection of inner balance and inner peace—to never lose ourselves emotionally or show any kind of weakness. The problem with this kind of perfection seeking behavior is in how it hinders us more than it helps us.

      Read More »Jill Churchill Quote on Focusing Less on Perfection and More on Doing Good

        “In the end, after letting go of my ideals of perfection, after letting go of my striving for goals, after wanting things to be a certain way… what am I left with?  I’m left with Love.  This feeling of boudless love, not for one specific person and not even limited to human beings, can motivate me to get up in the morning and write.  It motivates me to be vegan, because my love extends to animals.  It motivates me to work out, because my love extends to me, and to my kids for whom I’m setting this example of an active lifestyle.  It motivates me to let go of attachments that lead to frustrations, because why fight with someone you love?  Love can move you to be mindful, to appreciate the reality of this current moment, to appreciate and embrace impermanence as something beautiful, to be grateful, to make the most of this dewlike life.  Love can move you to overcome struggles.  Love can transform bitterness into softness, anger into kindness, self-hatred into self-compassion.  Love is both the path, and the mover.” ~ Leo Babauta, Essential Zen Habits (Page 204)

          “We all intend to be perfect but none of us are.  If only we could all see each other as we intended to be, instead of as who we are.” ~ Iain Thomas, Every Word You Cannot Say (Page 148)

            “Even though you may not feel or look the part now, you must envision yourself in your ideal state, activating your personal power and living in alignment with your stand and purpose.  I learned in the SEALs that there’s no such thing as perfection, only perfect effort.  Through practicing a ‘perfect’ version of ourselves mentally, we’ll slowly become that person in real life.” ~ Mark Divine, The Way of the Seal

              “No wonder I’m a perfectionist – always hoping that if I do things well enough I’ll finally feel loved and accepted.  So much of my activity is driven by pain: if I can just do it right, I won’t hurt anymore.  The trap is that it works – temporarily.  For a short time I do feel better, but then self-criticism sets in again and I need to accomplish something else – perfectly.” ~ Robert Kull, Solitude

                “Have you ever seen a rose that is not perfect?  What more do you want?  Every rose in its uniqueness is perfect.  Dancing in the wind, in the rain, in the sun… can’t you see the tremendous beauty, the absolute joy?  A small ordinary rose radiates the hidden splendor of existence.” ~ Osho, Love, Freedom, Alonenss: The Koan of Relationships

                  “You are perfect.  To think anything less is as pointless as a river thinking that it’s got too many curves or that it moves too slowly or that its rapids are too rapid.  Says who?  You’re on a journey with no defined beginning, middle or end.  There are no wrong twists and turns.  There is just being.  And your job is to be as you as you can be.  This is why you’re here.  To shy away from who you truly are would leave the world you-less.  You are the only you there is and ever will be.  I repeat, you are the only you there is and ever will be.  Do not deny the world its one and only chance to bask in  your brilliance.” ~ Jen Sincero, You Are a Badass