Author: Posts

Meditation is the only activity that doesn’t add anything to the picture.  It is a totally nonviolent, nonaggressive practice.  Not filling the space, allowing for the possibility of connecting with unconditional openness; this practice provides the basis for real change.

A good gathering requires participation of all those involved and, in turn, gives back sustenance for body and soul, a sense of belonging and a sense of accomplishment for all that could not be done individually.  This gives the individual a framework for involvement.

Without thinking about good and evil we can simply live totally in our human natures, not compromising anyone else.  Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself, just step out of its way.  Do this by living a virtuous, selfless life and being of service to all.

Increase and decrease come of their own time.  In a time of scanty resources, you must simplify, this will give you the strength for further undertakings.  Draw on the strength of your inner attitude for what lacks externally.  Even with slender means the sentiment of the heart can be expressed.

Quote: Look and it is right before your eyes.

We cannot blame our problems or the world’s problems on others, its something we can come to know in ourselves.  The more we make friends with ourselves we will see our mistaken thinking that the way to happiness is to blame somebody else for our problems.

The key to understanding is within ourselves.  We are taught to accept only the tangible, the scientific, and the material, but the key to understanding everything we need is the practice of contemplation and meditation, establishing a connection with those deeper aspects of ourselves and the universe.

Nothing is better than moderation.  Only those who are moderate can prepare in advance; by preparing in advance, you accumulate a reserve.  If you create a reserve, you can overcome all obstacles, once you have overcome all obstacles you have no limits.

When you feel stuck, cooperation with others on a common goal and, with concentration on the goal, will help you dissolve your barriers.  If you are free of all selfish exterior motives and are united in this joint task or goal, this can also dissolve the hardness of egotism.

Quote: Illuminate the darkness of ignorance, but do not blind.

When you fear something, you become unnerved and usually do what it tells you to do.  Listen to it, even respect or be convinced of it, but if you don’t do what it tells you to do it has no power over you, and in this way, you defeat what you are fearful of.

We must not accept the judgement of others as a measure of our own self-worth.  We all have flaws, but we can use them according to our own judgement and a guide for our own self-cultivation.  This gives us a chance to live without interference and express our own individuality.

When we emphasize just the body in self-cultivation, with the exclusion of mind or spirit, we are not balanced and this leads to exhaustion.  Self-cultivation involves the holistic integration of mind, body and spirit; in this way you achieve unity within and without.

The beginning of all things lies still in the form of ideas that have yet to become manifest.  We have the creative power to lend form to these archetypes of ideas.  Once you see causes and effects with clarity, you will have success in giving actuality to your ideas.

Quote: Nature regulates itself, without any need of our bright ideas.

Patience is not learned when everything is going well, but rather when things do not go our way.  Patience is learned when our expectations collide with the reality of the situation.  Patience implies willingness to be alive, rather than trying to seek harmony and smooth everything out.

The laughter of children is uplifting; their sounds evoke the ideal of a simple and pure act.  There are no concepts, no ideologies, only the innocent pleasure of living life in the moment. Children’s optimism and can comfort us and give us cheer and hope for us all.

Stop trying to control, let go of fixed plans and concepts.  If we make no one a foe, and the less coercing we do, the more our tranquillities grow.  When harmony reigns and we rule ourselves with felicity then everyone gains, and we can all live in simplicity and tranquility.

We should not try to combat our own faults directly; the longer and harder we fight them, the more victorious they will be.  Fighting your faults by making progress in the good is the only way.  Take care not to become hardened and obstinate, remain receptive to impressions by continuous self-examination.

Quote: You must set your intention everyday for what you want and need.

Life is glorious, but also wretched.  Gloriousness we feel inspired and connected, we want it to be like this forever.  Wretchedness life’s, painful aspect humbles and softens us up.  Gloriousness and wretchedness need each other; one inspires us, the other softness us.

We all understand the need to retreat into nature on a regular basis.  We cannot maintain the fertility of our beings without this renewal.  If you cannot retreat into nature each day, find a quiet time each day to withdraw into yourself, this will bring about renewal as well.

If you want to become a better person, study that which serves the nature of life and then offer it to the world.  If you study with devotion, and do so wholeheartedly, all things in the universe will be in harmony and everything in your life will reflect this practice.

The words and deeds of the past can be used to strengthen and elevate your character.  When you study the past do not confine yourself to knowledge of history but apply that knowledge to give actuality to the past by studying and practicing these ancient teachings.

Quote: Act from your heart, not according to rules.

When you start to get angry just pause, refrain from acting, stop talking to yourself.  At the same time be honest with yourself as to how you are feeling, not suppressing anything.  It’s about being patient with yourself, being patient is having a gentle honest relationship with yourself.

In communications, misunderstanding is a perennial problem, we each view things differently to some degree.  Words themselves are imperfect; the symbol is not the same as the realty.  We know there is no absolute truth in the world, only varying degrees of ambiguity.

To interfere with nature is to try to seek control, this causes distress and produces exhaustion.  Let things come and go effortlessly without desire.  If you never expect results, you never will be disappointed, if you are never disappointed your spirit never grows old.

Clarity and open awareness reside in the heart. When the mind is open and aware your heart is in charge of your thinking and actions.  You can change your heart by being flexible and receptive to others.  If your heart is open there is nothing that can influence you unless you want it to.

Quote: Health is the relationship between the microcosm, which is man and the macrocosm, which is the universe.

When we are treated as something special, we think we are a big deal.  Then the same person treats someone else special and ignores you, you feel insulted and humiliated.  The idea is to live humbly and if rewarded accept it, and when not, accept things the same way.

You cultivate skills as you go through life, maybe in your work, in the arts, or in competition.  Self-cultivation and learning for any reason are not merely for the acquisition and practice of skills, it is a path to your innermost being and understanding of self.

Our intuition must be our main guide in life; you have an inner knowing, use it.  If you cultivate it, you will be genuine and you will come to know others by what you do yourself.  Seek out what links your mind with the universal mind, by doing so you will help all beings.

Stick to the truth and let all things take their natural course.  Do not anticipate the future or dwell on your past actions but look at what you’re planning to do and what you accomplished and ask yourself is what I did good for humanity or is what I am planning to do good for humanity?

Quote: Do not rely on others for your happiness.

To relate to others compassionately is a challenge, it means not shutting down on that person, but first not shutting down on ourselves.  To do this requires openness, not fixating or holding on to anything, communicating from the heart and being present for that person.

Spirituality cannot be attained by external means or from others telling you about their idea of it.  True spirituality is liberating, it is an organic part of everyday life.  Free from the delusion of reality, and that we need something special to be happy, is an illusion.

Living life is easy if you don’t cling to good and bad, let go of preferences and everything will become clear.  We cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of the world; we all need to increase our service along with our understanding, using our natural attributes of awareness and action.

At the beginning of things how to proceed may be unclear, there may be many choices, and the lack of direction may make things uncomfortable.  First muster your internal strength and, if possible, seek direction and guidance from others, then a more concrete plan will unfold.

Quote: The very center of your heart is where life begins – the most beautiful place on earth.

We are different from each other; our ideas of social etiquette are different from culture to culture.  Rather than criticize each other’s ways or fight over our differences, be curious and strive to understand the other.  Doing this we can achieve peace and harmony in the world.

Action must be guided by both intellect and experience.  We learn from teachers, elders and others, but knowledge alone is not enough; we must also test what we learn in the world.  It is not enough to have theoretical knowing; we need both to be live fully.

We cannot attain clarity and simplicity by avoiding the world.  Do your work, take care of others, practice virtue without expecting any reward.  When you understand the higher truths retain an ordinary manner, this is true clarity, true simplicity, true living.

An enthusiastic delightful mood is helpful to your success but gives warning against self-satisfaction.  It is easy to indulge in one’s own pleasure and forget the delight of others.  The key is humility and sincerity; these two qualities bring harmony, the true meaning of delight.

Quote: Thanks for everything I have no complaints whatsoever.