Author: Posts

Simply look deeply at joy and sorrow, hoping and fearing, laughter and crying, at all that lives and dies.  We will learn what truly heals is gratitude and tenderness.

No matter the circumstances we must adapt, whether we think the situation is good or bad, resistance is useless.  Being flexible and constantly adjusting to the times is one of the secrets of life.

When we lose trust in ourselves, we begin to depend on authority.  Let go of all conflict and strife, practice unswerving kindness and unending patience.  To become a better person, develop your virtue and extend it to the world.

The force of inner truth depends chiefly on inner stability and preparedness.  From this state, the mind springs the correct attitude towards the outer world.  Retain your inner independence, this way you will have inner peace and the force of inner truth.

Quote: Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.

Emotional turmoil begins with an initial perception of a sight, sound or thought, which leads to a feeling of discomfort.  When you feel that initial tug, remain steady, relax into the energy staying present with the experience.  This takes lots of practice.

There are times when matters do not go your way, you feel confused and disorientated.  Whether its action or waiting patiently, we should always try to bring the situation back into harmony.  Once we are back on track, we should reflect and learn to prevent reoccurrences.

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.  We sometimes confuse knowledge with knowing; forget the 10,000 things and then you will be whole.

It is important not to be swept along by the bustle of life.  If you are serious and composed, you will have the clarity of mind needed to come to terms with the innumerable impressions that pour in. At the beginning of things, it is important to have this clarity.  The beginning holds the seeds of all that is to follow.

Quote: A small group of conscious people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has (and does).  Margaret Mead.

Whenever we let go of holding on to ourselves and look at the world around us, whenever we connect with joy, sorrow, drop resentment and complaints, then in these moments, the tenderness of your awakened heart is here.

If your mind is open, you use the best of your abilities and you are in the right position, you are able to see events that are off in the distance.  If your mind is focused on poor health, greed, amongst other things, it will be like you are in a closed room with no vision.

We are busy with our lives doing things, but discover we are also bored, always looking for ways to relieve this boredom.  Practice living naturally, working virtuously, this will fill you with vitality and you will never be bored.  You can know this by looking inside your heart.

We have a nature that is innately good, that guides us through life.  By following this goodness, you attain an unsullied innocence that teaches you to do right with instinctive sureness and without expectation of reward or personal advantage.

Quote: If I let go of what I am, I might become what I should be.  Lao Tzu

If we try to protect ourselves from suffering, we become fearful and alienated, caring only for the people close to us.  If we primarily try to shield ourselves from discomfort, we suffer.  Yet if we don’t close up and let our heart hurt, we discover our kinship with all beings.

Find the way that natural forces work and borrow their power.  When you harness natural forces, you harness something of great power.  However, we can only borrow its energy.  When initiative and natural forces combine there is true harmony. 

When you have no enemy, you will always be victorious.  If you have an enemy, never underestimate them. Underestimating your enemy is thinking that they are evil, thus you become an enemy yourself.  Victory will always go to the one that knows how to yield. 

If you encounter hinderances at the beginning of an enterprise, do not try to force advance, but pause and take thought.  Do not let anything put you off your course; persevere and keep your goal in sight. When there is a hinderance, sometimes relief will come from an unexpected source. 

Quote: It may seem insignificant what we do, but it is very important that we do it.  Gandhi

There is often a discrepancy between our ideals and what we encounter.  When you are feeling miserable or panicked it is difficult to cultivate friendliness towards yourself.  It’s the rub between these two things, the squeeze, between vision and reality that causes you to grow up.

Life is a series of opportunities.  Reach out for things that come your way, take advantage of all opportunities.  This way you will be in harmony with the essential nature of life.  Full participation in life is the surest way to success and happiness.

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

Music has the power to ease tensions within the heart and loosen the grip on obscure emotions.  From immemorial times the inspiring effect of the invisible sound that moves all hearts and draws them together has mystified mankind. 

Quote: Work, play, same. Confucius

When we see bad habits in others, let them be and if they ask you for support, do so. Rather than complaining to them and suggesting to them that they change their ways.   The best support you can give them is to listen and be present.  It is amazing when people talk about their problems, they will usually come up with the answers themselves.

If we are physically attacked, we must defend ourselves the best we can.  Our compassion, our humility will not help us.  It is advisable to learn as much as you can about self-defense.  This training will help you to work out your fears, inhibitions and anxieties.

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.

Being still when it’s time to be still and going forward when it is time.  In this way rest and movement agree; this will help quiet the heart.  When you become calm, then you can turn to the outside world, as you no longer see the struggle and tumult of individuals. This calmness brings peace of mind and you will act in harmony with the laws of the universe. 

Quote: Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.

We don’t open our hearts and minds to others because it confuses us, and we don’t feel brave or sane enough to open up.  To help us open look clearly and compassionately at ourselves, feel confident and fearless about looking into someone else’s eyes.

In ancient times people lived in a poetically agrarian view of the world, but we don’t understand these ancient ways.  Contemporary minds need contemporary concepts to live by, so don’t rely on old standards.  To live life just rely on your direct experiences.

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.

If a person or persons are annoying you, do not engage, retreat with dignity and reserve.  It is not good to hate people or situations, for hatred is a form of subjective involvement by which you are bound to the hated object.

Quote We have to do the best we can.  This is our sacred human responsibility.  Einstein

Whenever you feel uncomfortable and don’t know what to do, find some place to look at the openness of the sky and experience the freshness, free of hope and fear, just completely open.  This space is open to us all the time, it permeates everything and is available to us every moment of our lives.

Like the planets, feelings, instincts and emotions must be kept in a constant rotating order.  This way all is in order and problems of excess are avoided.  If we keep our minds strong and clear, then the various aspects of our lives will keep to their proper order.

When we think we know the answers we are difficult to guide. When we know we don’t know and keep a fresh open mind we become fertile with possibilities.  Be content with an ordinary life and you will be able to show others the way back to their original nature. 

Our task in life is full of responsibility, it is nothing less than leading the world out of confusion and back to order.  We must first investigate the nature of the forces in question and ascertain their proper places.  If we can bring this focus to bear on the right place, the desired effect will be achieved. 

Quote: Every breath we take, every step we make, can be filled with peace, joy and serenity.

The ancients say the reason we are here is to study ourselves.  They also say that studying ourselves provides us all the “books” we need.  The reason we have teachers is to understand this simple teaching.  The wisdom of unconditional, unbiased truth can only be found in our own experiences.

The universe is already a harmonious oneness; just realize it.  If people understood this, then world peace and universal harmony would naturally arise.  If you scramble about in search of inner peace, you will not be able to find it.

Do not accumulate possessions or teach others to amass things.  Devote yourself to learning the natural rhythms of nature and follow them.  Live simply and serenely, sensitive to the fluctuations that naturally occur, and adjust so you are compatible with the energies of the day.

Times of adversity can lead to success by remaining cheerful, even if your words have no effect.  It is important to be strong within, sparing of words and true to yourself.  If you are oppressed by something that should not oppress you, the situation will be overcome, but you must be patient and keep good for all in your heart.

Quote: We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful what we pretend to be.

Seeking security and perfection is like trying to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  There is no fresh air, no room for something to come and interrupt all that and sooner or later you will have an experience you can’t control.  Life is challenging; sometimes sweet, sometimes bitter.  Try to experience each moment as new and fresh.

Through our life we have failures, humiliation and acquire scars from injuries; both physical and emotional trauma.  The true course of healing is up to us alone.  Through self-cultivation we can overcome our personal phobias and emotional scars.   As we do this, try to acquire as few new problems as possible. 

Begin a difficult task in its easy stage because larger problems grow from small ones.  Be aware of those who promise quick and easy solutions.  Accept problems as challenges; do not dwell on them, take action. You can accomplish great tasks with a series of small acts.

Before you make a change ponder over it again and again.  After the change is made, it is necessary for some time to note carefully how the improvements bear the test of actuality.  This will bring you good fortune.

Quote: Believe nothing, no matter where you heard it or who said it, even if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. —The Buddha