Author: Posts

We are here to study ourselves no matter what we are doing: eating, talking, whatever.  All the wisdom about how we cause ourselves to suffer, and all the wisdom about how joyful and vast our minds are, can only be found in our own experiences.

Everything reaches its limits; constant expansion is not possible.  Limitations should not always be seen as a negative constraint; they are situations that you can take advantage of.  Knowing the limits, we can sometimes test them, but before doing so, insure you have sufficient resources.

Realize that all things change, then there is nothing you will try to hold on to.  You cannot control the future; you might as well relax into it and accept it no matter what it brings.  There is an ancient tale that says whatever happens, you look at it without judgement and say, “some good, some bad”.

Generally, insufficiency is better than excess.  Be steadfast and upright to accomplish little affairs, then little affairs will accumulate and become great.  When first meeting someone, do not go too far.  Exercise self-restraint and all will be well.

Quote: Most of the shadows of this life are caused by standing in one’s own sunshine. – Emerson

If we try to control our experiences, we are setting ourselves up for failure.  The essence of life is that it is challenging, and we will never get it right.  To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake, is to experience each moment completely new and fresh.

Knowledge and skill are neutral.  They are to be used, that’s all, but mastery should not be used to bolster self-image.  We should not allow ourselves to be categorized by what we know.  It is better to free ourselves from the limits of tightly defined identities.

The world we live in takes great courage and patience.  Giving your talents and resources to the world without restraint, the barriers of individuality breakdown, you then become one with the receiver and both become the giver.

Goodness should be an attribute of character rather than an accidental or isolated occurrence.  Likewise teaching others, everything depends on consistency, for it is through repetition the pupil can make the material his own.

Quote: Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it.

Whether we experience what happens to us as an obstacle and enemy or a teacher and friend depends entirely on our perception of reality. It really depends on our relationship with ourselves.

Without objective reality there would be no sense of humor, no creativity, and no spirituality.  Until we make this connection between all things and realize we are all part of the whole, we have no way out of the isolation that often affects us.

When we lose trust in ourselves, we begin to depend on authority.  When people no longer fear the power of authority, a greater empowerment appears, never needing to enforce itself.  You will then work naturally to fulfill yourself and meet your community needs.

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.  This frees one of blind impulses.  Only such calm steady progress, overleaping nothing, leads you to your goals.

Quote: Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. – Chief Seattle

The ancients teach the middle way.  This encourages us to feel what we feel and deal with that feeling good or bad, just stay with it.  Do not judge what arises in your mind, don’t grasp at it, just let thoughts come and go.  This way you stop struggling and discover an unbiased way of being.

Create your own destiny, make all your actions count.  You don’t have to follow the path outlined in some mystical teachings; create your own.  Use your imagination to cope with the travails of life and realize what you envision.  This will bring you happiness.

Any fragment of the mind, apart from heart, spirit, human community, and the natural law of the universe, is going against your own true nature.  Cleanse yourself of all the cobwebs and cluttered fragments that paralyze the mind.  This way you function as your own holistic healer.

No matter how lowly you feel, if you are ready to be open to change and learning, you will be helped by all.  This will enable you to rid yourself of habits and attain a station where you will have fruitful accomplishments and gain recognition. 

Quote: Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. – Ovid

Let things that enter your life wake you up.  To do this be open, be curious, accept everything that comes along and let it teach you what it will.  You can try to do everything to make your world perfect, but the old stuff always appears, until you have learned your lesson.

Our faith is not our parent or protector; it is here only to inspire us to be better people.  Whether we choose belief or defiance, what is precious is that we are able to choose.  Spirituality is only great when it allows the utmost freedom to follow it.

Passion and desire weaves a binding net around you.  Worldly confrontation and the trap of duality makes you stiff and inflexible.  Through self cultivation, living naturally, and working virtuously will free you from those entrapments.

Before helping others, one must store up one’s own knowledge, strength, and virtue.  On the other hand, to help each other, people must be sincere and truthful.  The ancients taught working together with one heart and one mind will ensure success.

Quote: Contentment cannot be held in the hand but lives perpetually in the heart.

We regard loneliness as being alone, as a heartache, something we choose not to invite in.  We desire to escape it and find someone to keep us company.  Rest in the middle, then we can have a relationship with loneliness, a relaxed relationship that turns our fearful patterns around.

We are not a single character throughout our lives.  We change and grow like a flower; our identities unfold and bloom.  Like a flower, when we open up our beauty is revealed in our center and like a flower, our special qualities come from our inner source.

When you have no enemy, you will always be victorious.  Never underestimate your enemy.  Underestimating your enemy is thinking that he is evil, thus you become an enemy yourself.  When two forces oppose each other, victory will always go to the one that knows how to yield. 

Joy rests on firmness and strength within, manifesting itself outwardly as yielding and gentle.  This joyful mood is infectious, and therefore brings success.  Truth and strength must dwell in the heart, gentleness reveals itself with social intercourse.

Quote: Truth fears nothing but concealment.

We cause harm to ourselves by not having the courage and respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently.  We cause harm to others by our actions, speech, and thoughts.  Not causing harm is the basis of an enlightened society and the beginning of a sane world.

A river is constantly new, the currents, the way it flows around rocks, the shape of its banks is subtly new at any moment.  To know the river, we only need to experience it directly, to touch it, to swim in it, to contemplate it, to drink it.  The same is true of life.

If we are in competition, we want our opponents to be at their best.  Its not that you don’t want to compete, but you want to do it in the spirit of play.  In this way you are like a child at play, in harmony with life.

When good begins to prevail, this gives an incentive to those of ability to join this upward trend.  Don’t be carried away with it but adhere to what is right. Be aware that everything is transitory, because descent must follow every rise.  This is a universal law.

Quote: When you cultivate a natural response to what life is bringing, you react less and observe more.

Look for the gaps, that space between thoughts, the natural occurrence after an unexpected noise, shock or moment of awe.  Just being present like this introduces us to unshakable confidence.  Create these gaps by pausing to look at the sky or to listen intently.

Sometimes we are so worn out from our days’ activities we forget to notice our need for recharging.  There are still days and places where we can be afforded some tranquility.  Renewal is a profound tonic, with sanctuary and rest we can go forth again.

There are three things to treasure: simplicity, patience, and compassion. Simple in your actions and thoughts and you return to the source.  Patience with friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are.  Compassionate towards yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world.

Once we have accomplished something, it is tempting to relax and forget about troubling over the details at the finish.   These are times when everything appears to be balanced, complete and in harmony.  This is the time to recognize the moments that bode change to an unbalanced state.

Quote: The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper. – Eden Phillpotts

The way to dissolve our resistance to life is to meet it face to face.  Even if you resent the weather, when it is raining enjoy the wetness. Appreciate all things, look closely, open your mind, let go of resentment to things that you can do nothing about. 

We are solely responsible for our own actions.  There is no destiny, fate, or predestination, complete each action keeping the future as free and as open as possible.  Live fully in the present moment and you will enjoy the best of what each day has to offer.

If you treat everyone with love and respect, everyone will love and respect you.  If you compete with no one, the world will be grateful to you.  If you are not guided by your ego and emotions and let yourself be guided by wisdom instead, you will remain virtuous.

By contemplating the forms that exist in nature, we come to understand the times and its changing demands.  Through contemplation of the forms existing in society it becomes possible to shape the world.  Contemplation is clarity within, quiet without, and desire is silenced.  Thus, the world as ideas become manifest.

Quote: Use what talent you possess; the woods would be silent if no birds sang except those that sang best. – Henry Van Dyke

Others will show you where you are stuck.  They say or do something and you automatically react in your familiar ways of shutting down or getting worked up.  This gives you a chance to see your patterns and work with them, being honest and compassionate with yourself.

When we are in the midst of our own confrontations, we need to reach deep within using the utmost of our abilities to find the power required to overcome our obstacles.  By doing so it will give us the confidence and facility to handle future problems.

When we think we know the answers we are difficult to guide.  When we realize we don’t know, it becomes easy to find our way.  By keeping your mind open you become aware of numerous possibilities. The ancients taught of the supreme value of “Don’t-know Mind”.

When you are dealing with a new situation adopt a cautious heart and mind, rather than expecting success right away.  Taking action will bring success, and it is tempting to try to enhance this success, but the wise person keeps calm and remains at ease.

Quote: Contentment cannot be held in the hand but lives perpetually in the heart.