39. SHANTIDEVA: What, me worry?
April 19th, 2012
Shantideva was an 8th-century Indian Buddhist scholar who is most well-known for writing the famous buddhist text A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life. I think this is a fantastic quote. Worry can consume a person and suffocate them into inaction. I know I’m guilty of it and it’s something I’m working on fixing. The amount of energy it takes out of you is exhausting and at the end of the day is really quite pointless. Thanks very much to Jill for submitting this quote.
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Zen Pencils adapts inspirational quotes into cartoons. It's illustrated by Gavin Aung Than and there's a new toon every Tuesday. More info
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So true. I’ve always understood worrying is useless (and had constantly reminded my parents throughout high school/college that it does nothing) but its difficult to remind yourself of this at times. “Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but gets you nowhere.”
Also, I was like, “Yo Gav, its still Wednesday,” but then I remembered you’re in Australia.
Thanks from NY, USA!!!
Great quote. I think some of the shorter ones will sell better to the business world. This is a prime example of what I expect to be a hot seller.
Ditto that. I think some of the simpler ones will appeal more to individuals as well. I know having a print of something like this is more appealing to me.
Great work as always.
I love this site! Could you add the quotes in the drawing as text? I find myself looking for those quotes in text elsewhere so I could cut-and-paste and save them.
I’ve been living by this for almost 2 years now, and I can honestly say my life has been so much better since.
It’s a pretty liberating decision once you fully commit to it … which I haven’t managed to do yet!
Well that’s the human in you coming out. Damn us humans.
It’s instinct. At a point, you’ll forget it all. -some movie. :/
….but sometimes the worry stems out of trying to figure out whether or not a problem can be solved!!!
And that’s why wise people don’t worry! They can tell the nature of the problem easily!
Love this one.
Excellent.
hey gav, can i buy a soft copy of the poster? All i want is to take a print out and put on my hostel room wall.
Similarly Epictetus, the Greek slave and philosopher, argued the same thing as a primary tenet of his contribution to Western philosophy: Stoicism. It’s very similar to Buddhism actually, though it didn’t seem to catch on.
Yes, that lobotomy would solve many of my problems.
I’ve seen the same view expressed eleswhere although I hadn’t realised it’s origin. It is attitude that I consciously try to cultivate – sometimes successfully.
The image is superb as well.
I just love the texture you use for the background. It looks just like the texture on my polo.
How do you make it?
Brilliant quote, and lovely execution, as usual. I think this is something we all know intellectually, but few of us have internalized.
Gavin, I discovered your website a few days ago and I have been in awe at the quality, message, and style of your art. You produce very talented images matched with inspirational quotes that I think more people ought to see and appreciate. Great job!
I first encountered this quote in the movie “Seven Years in Tibet”. It made a huge impression on me and I’ve been much less stressed about life since then. I still worry, of course, but I often catch myself and think it through.
so true ^^, so simple, so good.
perfect quote for me!
I’ve given up getting disappointed. If I don’t get what I want, I believe the Universe is busy organising a sweeter surprise for me soon! 
I love your font, can i download it somewhere?
I just trace over a standard san-serif font
ok thanks to answer
Great quote Gav. Since I found your comics yesterday I have been reading from the beginning to see all of your work. I must say I really love your style of drawing and the way you color your comics. Reminds me of a classic style of comic strips with a modern edge.
The problem for me are solvable problems where circumstances prevent solutions – often at the hand of someone else. Sort of the Schrodinger’s Cat, the problem is both solved and unsolved, and until the thing interfering with the solution has been resolved (often relying more on human nature than it being “solvable”), the proper course cannot be laid.
Nice one Gav. Love it.
Gav this one really speaks to me, theres a pretty significant illness in my family so whenever I get really down I remember this quote and it really helps me.
I know, it’s a great quote to get you out of a ‘funk’
THIS.
This should be a poster or something. I love it!
What if you don’t know if your problem can be solved… and you are constantly switching between avoiding it and trying to solve it and you stay awake late at night because you dread tomorrow.
I really like this quote and the style of text makes it very warm and heartfelt. For me, this is a serious problem because worrying negatively affects my ability to make and not regret my decisions. Like you, I am trying to fix this too so know that you’re not in this alone!