When we avoid the legitimate suffering that results from dealing with problems, we also avoid the growth that problems demand from us.

M. Scott Peck

Categorized in : Spiritual Suffering Growth

The path to holiness lies through questioning everything. by M. Scott Peck

The path to holiness lies through questioning everything.

holiness grace lying

Self examination is the key to insight, which is the key to wisdo... by M. Scott Peck

Self examination is the key to insight, which is the key to wisdom

keys self healing

But for the first time, I had a religious identity. I had come home. And so I called myself a Zen Buddhist at the age of 18.

buddhist religious home

I have a very full and busy life and occasionally I am asked, Scotty, how can you do all that you do? The most telling reply I can give is: Because I spend at least two hours a day doing nothing.

stress time two

Our view of reality is like a map with which to negotiate the terrain of life. If the map is true and accurate, we will generally know how to get there. If the map is false and inaccurate, we generally will be lost.

maps views reality

Listening well is an exercise of attention and by necessity hard work. It is because they do not realize this or because they are not willing to do the work that most people do not listen well.

hard-work exercise people

The act of loving is an act of self-evolution even when the purpose of the act is someone else's growth.

growth purpose self

There is no virtue inherent in un-constructive suffering. by M. Scott Peck

There is no virtue inherent in un-constructive suffering.

constructive virtue suffering

Teach us to number our days aright. by M. Scott Peck

Teach us to number our days aright.

teach numbers

Everything that happens in life is there to aid our spiritual gro... by M. Scott Peck

Everything that happens in life is there to aid our spiritual growth.

growth spiritual life-is

Although I was raised in a profoundly secular home, I had a belief, an awareness of God, from as far back as I can remember.

belief god home

I can remember years ago sitting on my bed and suddenly thinking,... by M. Scott Peck

I can remember years ago sitting on my bed and suddenly thinking, "I am God."

god years thinking

The denial of suffering is, in fact a better definition of illnes... by M. Scott Peck

The denial of suffering is, in fact a better definition of illness than its acceptance.

denial acceptance suffering

The more effort we make to appreciate and perceive reality, the larger and more accurate our maps will be. But many do not want to make this effort.

effort appreciate reality

When any institution becomes large and compartmentalized, with departments and subdepartments, then the conscience of the institution will often become so fragmented and diluted as to be virtually nonexistent, and the organization becomes inherently evil.

institutions organization evil

Falling in love is not an extension of one's limits or boundaries; it is a partial and temporary collapse of them.

limits love fall

If we want to be heard we must speak in a language the listener can understand and on a level at which the listener is capable of operating.

levels language want

Examination of the world without is never as personally painful a... by M. Scott Peck

Examination of the world without is never as personally painful as examination of the world within.

examination painful world

I am dubious as to how far we can move toward global community-which is the only way to achieve international peace-until we learn the basic principles of community in our own individual lives and personal spheres of influence.

dubious community moving

We know a great deal more about the causes of physical disease than we do about the causes of physical health.

deals disease causes