existence is not mutuallly exclusive

what is meant by nonduality, mahatmi? it means that light and shade, long and short, black and white, can only be experienced in relation to each other; light is not independent of shade, nor black of white. there are no opposites, only relationships. in the same way, nirvana and the ordinary world of suffering are not two things but related to each other. there is no nirvana except where the world of suffering is; there is no world of suffering apart from nirvana. for existence is not mutuallly exclusive.
-lankavatara sutra

scarred but smarter

are you kidding me with that? i can't do it anymore. trapped in delusions, i'm waking up.

removing barriers

the only reason we don't open our hearts and minds to other people is that they trigger confusion in us that we don't feel brave enough or sane enough to deal with. to the degree we look clearly and compassionately at ourselves, we feel confidant and fearless about looking into someone else's eyes.
-pema chodron

delusion

those who have great realization about delusion are buddhas. those who are greatly deluded within realization are sentient beings.
- dogen, "flowers fall"