Planting seeds

I’m currently reading Mindfulness and Psychotherapy (Edited by Germer, Siegel & Fulton), widely considered to be one the best books yet published on the topic. Four chapters in, and I’m enjoying the book thoroughly. I just came across a section on the value of cultivating empathy through Buddhist-inspired practice. I like the image the authors (Susan & William Morgan) use to connect intention, practice, and whatever sought-after quality one is trying to cultivate (in this case, empathy):

Concentrate on your intention to open your heart more fully. Trust that by planting seeds (intention) and attending to them (practice), the harvest (empathy) will follow organically.

I’m thinking about the creative struggles in my life, particularly with writing and music, and how this process of intention-practice-fruition comes into play. Something to ponder and play with…