Author: Posts

We need to understand that when we do harm to another, we do harm to ourselves.  We need to live humanely in this world, choosing to love others and ignoring our personal concerns.  This kinship with others might be what it takes to save the planet from extinction.

We will put in the extra effort and even hardship if we know that we will gain something better for it.  Self-discipline, if practiced with understanding and clear goals, will lead to a greater result.  If you put in extra effort in this way, you gain a better life.

There is no greater illusion than fear, no greater wrong than preparing to defend ourselves, no greater misfortune than having an enemy.  Whoever can see through all fear will always be safe.  If you understand this, peace and harmony naturally arise.

The ideal justice is seldom attained because the enforcement of the rules is inconsistent.  To administer justice the executive needs to be clear in mind and firm in action.  Their attitude should be compassionate and the purpose educational, the aim is to prevent further mischief.

Quote: Peacefulness is the natural seed of a violent world.

Self-importance hurts us, limiting our world to likes and dislikes.  We can question our beliefs, either we accept our fixed version of reality, or we begin to challenge it.  Practicing staying open, curious and challenging our beliefs is the best use of our lives.

Your way of living, what you eat, what you wear are an expression of your state of mind.  Contribute, be creative, treasure what you learn and preserve it so it can be passed on to others.  Above all, be compassionate, this is a stand against evil and opens the spirit.

If you correct your mind the rest of your life will fall into place, because the mind is the governing aspect of human life.  To correct your mind, rely on “not doing” and not clinging to things, avoid daydreaming.  This will allow your original insight to emerge, and help clear the mind.

If we can bring ourselves to set aside pride and follow the examples of good men, good fortune will result.  If we associate with people sharing the same views and come together in full public knowledge, without selfish motives then you are in harmony with the times.

Quote: The greatest gift you can offer the ancestors is to become a great one yourself.

Are we going to spend this lifetime struggling against uncertainty? Or are we going to train in letting go and aspire to reconnect with the natural flexibility of our being and help others do the same?  If we go in this direction, limitless possibilities begin to open up.

When you compete against other people or natural forces, compete using concentration and awareness, no anger or aggression.  When not competing, do not forget to be kind.  You must still have awareness and concentration and reflex, but your expression is different.

If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly fulfilled.  If your happiness depends on money or possessions, you will never be happy.  Be content with what you have and rejoice in the way things are, then you will realize nothing is lacking.

When times are bad, submit to them and remain quiet.  It may be impossible to counteract the conditions of the time, it is not cowardice but wisdom to submit and avoid actions.  A law of nature is at work, evil is not destructive to the good alone, but inevitably destroys itself as well.

Quote: Gentlest/hardest, water/rock, love and hostility.

To hope we can finally get it together is unrealistic, to seek lasting security is futile.  Without giving up hope that there is somewhere better to be, that there is someone better to be, we will never relax with who we really are or where we are.

You will have many opponents in your lifetime, but your ultimate opponent is yourself.  There are many demons to conquer: fear, laziness, selfishness, egotism, and many others.  You will need discipline, courage and perseverance to overcome your own defects which is the true nature of victory.

True growth comes from meeting and solving the problems of life in a way that is harmonizing to yourself and others.  Serve others and cultivate yourself simultaneously; if you can follow these simple old ways, you will be continually renewed.

What is called common good may not always serve well.  Unity may be cohesion for society, but unity of what?  Dedicated to what?  Shared life should be held together by choices, not by decree.  To be true to yourself, do not give up too much and certainly not the center.

Quote: As you sow, so shall you reap.

Every cell in our body is continuously changing, we are as impermanent as everything else.  Thoughts and emotions of being competent or that we’re hopeless rise and fall unceasingly.  We are basing these thoughts and emotions on this fleeting moment. 

What good is self-cultivation and wisdom if you keep it for yourself?  Knowledge is meant to be used, if you can use it on behalf of others, you must do so.   Don’t go out looking for good deeds to do, but if one comes your way do not refuse.  If you meet someone who is suffering, you must help them.

Nothing in the realm of thoughts or ideologies is absolute and because of this, there is nothing more futile that relying on the mind.  Quiet your thinking, dividing, making distinctions between one thing and another.  Just stay in your center and accept all things as being part of you.

The meaning of excess is going beyond the middle way.  Generally, insufficiency is better than excess.  Be steadfast and upright to accomplish little affairs, then little affairs will become great.  When meeting someone, exercise self-restraint, guard against going too far.

Quote: All things are born of being, being is born of non-being.

As long as we run away from discomfort we are going to get caught in a cycle of unhappiness and disappointment.  Instead ask yourself “Can I touch the center of my pain?  Can I sit with suffering, yours and mine, without trying to make it go away?”

Some people try to maintain tidy, regular lives, others are constantly active, we are all different; there is no right or wrong.  The only thing that counts is feeling life and maintaining that feeling as much of the time as possible.  If you find special feelings that are latent in you, learn to express them.

When most people hear about the ancient teachings, they waiver between belief and disbelief.  Some diligently follow their path; others laugh at them thinking they are foolish.  This way we know of their authenticity. 

In the course of life, one cannot avoid difficult situations or danger.  It is important to remain calm and establish a positive attitude.  Consider how to prevent the situation from worsening, then find a way to solve the problem.  Look at a way to transform the bad situation into something positive.

Quote: How do we make everyday better?

Touch your heart, or let your heart be touched.  You will discover how much warmth and gentleness is there, how much space.  This feeling turns into a longing to be fully human.  It turns into a longing to be there for friends in trouble and to be of real help for our planet.

If your mind is scattered, its images in disarray, you cannot move in a clear direction.  The result is confusion and unhappiness.  A mind that is clearly focused on a single point or idea, like in contemplation or meditation, is able to receive all things and abide in tranquility. 

It is a universal law that what you say and do determines what happens in your life.  Recognize that you and this law are one, cultivate yourself in accord with it, bringing moderation to your actions and clarity to your mind.  This is a profound simple truth; what you do is what you are.

It is important not to get intoxicated by success.  Do not skip any stages in your progress, go slowly step by step as though hesitant.  It is important to remain mindful, conscientious, and consistent.  Only such calm, steady progress, overleaping nothing, leads you to your goals.

Quote: Compassion is both a force in the universe as well as a human experience.

There are three characteristics of human existence: impermanence, egolessness, and dissatisfaction.  Recognize these qualities to be real and true, and you will be able to relax with things as they are.  These three characteristics are the facts of life.  There is no cure, so stop struggling against the nature of reality.

Coping with life on thoroughly physical faculties will always fall short of the ultimate answers.  The center unused portion of you brain can be illuminated with a spiritual spark, then it can be used to rejuvenate and to supplement the limitations if our normal mental abilities.

When we are in harmony with the natural laws we flourish together and being content with the way things are brings us constant renewal.  View all things with compassion while practicing humility.  This brings you energy and will enable all sentient beings to find peace.

In order to abolish old ways and to establish a better order is very difficult. Both abolishing old and establishing new requires qualified people of extraordinary ability.  The key is to respect the wise and virtuous persons and rely on them to establish the new order.

Quote: No expectations, no regrets, no residue.

We can let the circumstances of life harden us so that we become more resentful and afraid, or we can let them soften us and make us kinder and more open to what scares us.  We always have that choice.

You should be sensitive to where you situate yourself in the world.  Select a place that is known to be conducive to what you want to achieve, then narrow your choice by what you see and feel.  Don’t become attached to any one place as the energies will change.

Why scurry about looking for the truth?  It is in everything right in front of you.  You cannot discover it by accumulating more knowledge, knowledge creates doubt and makes you want more knowledge.  Find the subtle truth inside yourself and be content in this knowing.

During the process of development, progress frequently comes to a standstill.  There might be an obstruction owing to one’s lack of experience or insufficient strength.  In this situation, store up your energy preparing for your next move but remain sincere and truthful.

Quote: Compassion is what connects all things.

Open yourself up to the continually changing, impermanent nature of your own being and that of reality.  You will increase your capacity to love, to care about others and not to be afraid.  You will begin to think of your life as offering endless opportunities to start to do things differently.

Today is the middle day of the year.  Once you reach the center of anything, you can dominate the whole.  In life we establish goals and parameters to define the scope of most everything we do.  Knowing when you have reached the center of your endeavor makes perseverance easier. 

The goal is to be content with our simple everyday lives, in harmony with nature and free of desires.  When there is no desire, all things are at peace.  Take care of the well being of all things by accepting responsibility for the energies you manifest, actively and subtlety.

Joy rests on firmness and strength within, manifesting itself outwardly as yielding and gentle.  This joyful mood is infectious and promotes harmonious relationships with others.  Truth and strength must dwell in the heart; gentleness reveals itself with social intercourse.

Quote: The road of excess leads to the place of wisdom.