Words matter. These are the best John Bradshaw Quotes, and they’re great for sharing with your friends.
When I walked out of the seminary, I was 31, but I was like a scared, frightened kid. I had no place to live, no license, no clothes. I was just a lost soul.
Evil is a source of moral intelligence in the sense that we need to learn from our shadow, from our dark side, in order to be good.
It’s essential to tell the truth at all times. This will reduce life’s pain. Lying distorts reality. All forms of distorted thinking must be corrected.
Children are natural Zen masters; their world is brand new in each and every moment.
Many self-help books give you these neat, tidy formulas that are really illusions. They dupe people into thinking, ‘Well if I can just do that, then everything’s going to be okay.’ My work differs in that I don’t offer quick solutions and simple explanations.
The spiritual quest is not some added benefit to our life, something you embark on if you have the time and inclination. We are spiritual beings on an earthly journey. Our spirituality makes up our beingness.
In my family, as in all dysfunctional families, instead of parents who act as strong and nurturing role models for their children, you get these needy people who use their children. I was the kid who tried to take on the marriage.
The unlimited power that many modern gurus offer is false hope. Their programs calling us to unlimited power have made them rich, not us. They touch our false selves and tap our toxic shame.
As a child I was not allowed to express my feelings, so I had to go back through therapy and express the child’s pain.
Healthy shame is an emotion that teaches us about our limits. Like all emotions, shame moves us to get our basic needs met.
The figure of Satan and the fires of hell have been demythologized by modern Christian biblical scholars, theologians and philosophers.
It’s okay to make mistakes. Mistakes are our teachers – they help us to learn.
I try to get people thinking, to consider their pasts and presents, ultimately encouraging them and giving them the tools to embrace the work of reshaping their lives.
Our beliefs create the kind of world we believe in. We project our feelings, thoughts and attitudes onto the world. I can create a different world by changing my belief about the world. Our inner state creates the outer and not vice versa.
