Florence Scovel Shinn Quotes

What could be more futile, more insane, than to create inner resistance to something that already is?

A person who has truly realized the principle of nonviolence has the God given strength for his weapon, and the world has not yet known anything that can match it.

When I try to go with what's happening and embrace that as much as I can, it seems to be a much smoother journey for me.

Satyagraha is an attribute of the spirit within.

Yet never resist anything. If you think that by your resistance you will eliminate it, think again. You only plant it more firmly in place. Have I not told you all thought is creative?

Resistance to unwanted circumstances has the power to keep those circumstances alive and well for a very long time.

The best way is not to fight it, just go. Don't be trying all the time to fix things. What you run from only stays with you longer. When you fight something, you only make it stronger.

I plan to stand by nonviolence, because I have found it to be a philosophy of life that regulates not only my dealings in the struggle for racial justice, but also my dealings with people, and with my own self.

The nonviolence I teach is active nonviolence of the strongest. But the weakest can partake in it without becoming weaker.

You don't need to suffer anymore. You've suffered enough to take you to this point where you hear the words, "You don't need to suffer anymore," and you understand them. You recognize their truth and you then see that you do have a choice ­ that you can surrender to the suchness of now, which means every moment to relinquish resistance and if it still arises, to recognize it.

To some people, surrender may have negative connotations, implying defeat, giving up, failing to rise to the challenges of life, becoming lethargic, and so on. True surrender, however, is something entirely different. It does not mean to passively put up with whatever situation you find yourself in and to do nothing about it. Nor does it mean to cease making plans or initiating positive action. Surrender is the simple but profound wisdom of yielding to rather than opposing the flow of life.

Surrender is the simple but profound wisdom of yielding to rather than opposing the flow of life.

The flower bends when the wind wants it to, and you must become like that-that is, filled with deep #‎ trust .

Gandhi was a David with no material weapon.. not even a slingshot.

When you surrender, the problem ceases to exist. Try to solve it, or conquer it, and you only set up more resistance. . . . The most difficult thing to admit, and to realize with one's whole being, is that you alone control nothing. . . .

What it is forbidden to be put right becomes lighter by acceptance.

Do not seek to bring things to pass in accordance with your wishes, but wish for them as they are, and you will find them.

What can and doesn't have to be always, at the end, surrenders to something that has to be.

Most people are rowing against the current of life. Instead of turning the boat around, all they need to do is let go of the oars.

Whatever happens in life is fine - just trust in that.

Physical strength can never permanently withstand the impact of spiritual force.

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

If we can remain present and deal with the moment in front of us, no matter what our battle, then if we lose, we'll know that ultimately we weren't supposed to win that battle in the first place.

Always say 'yes' to the present moment... Surrender to what is. Say 'yes' to life - and see how life starts suddenly to start working for you rather than against you.