Author: Posts

Self-cultivation takes us just as we are with our confusion and our sanity, it gives us time alone with ourselves.  In time it teaches us to accept who we are, as we are, an unconditional friendliness with ourselves, a simple direct relationship with the way we are.

Both imagination and dreams are similar activities.  In dreams there is a total suspension of rationality, and consciousness, so there is little or no direction possible.  Imagination is a tool we can use to make our lives better, different, and creative.  By cooperating with it, we can achieve things “we never dreamed possible”.

When we are all in harmony with the natural laws we flourish together and, being content with the way things are, brings us constant energy.  View all things with compassion, while practicing humility, this brings you energy and wisdom and this will help you find peace.

In difficult times, if you are unable to exert influence because the fundamentals are all wrong and fruitful activity is rendered impossible, do not accept dazzling offers to take part in public activity.  Hide your work and withdraw into seclusion and wait for the times to change.

Quote: Imagination can create bridges, dreams can deceive.

Life is a good teacher and a good friend; things are always changing. That off-center state we feel with change is the ideal situation where we can open our hearts and minds beyond limit.  That state is a very tender, nonaggressive, open-ended state of affairs.

If we mistake our subjective viewpoints as something solid, permanent, and never relative to circumstances, then we will have no end to our problems.  However, if we remember that everything is comparative, then we can move through life in a more dynamic way.

Something perfect exists before any move is made.  This perfection deteriorates when artificial actions are taken, so be content not to disturb the peace.  Be quiet, discover the harmony in your own being, embrace it.  Doing this you will gain everything and the world will be healthy again.

See through worldly things: look at all conditions and all that exists as if passing by; not disturbing the inward because of the outward; staying in the proper place stabilizing clarity and stillness.  When clarity and stillness are used together, you can transcend the world while in the world.

Quote: Silence is not the absence of something, but the presence of everything.

A good time to start a self-cultivation practice is right now, do not wait for the right time.  Even if you feel depressed, tired or too addicted to your habits, start right now.  The idea is to start with small things, but be consistent and add a little each day, the benefits are endless.

If we can help somebody do something, then we should do so without hesitation or expectations of reward or debt.  If there is something we need to learn, and somebody can show it to us then we should accept it with humility.  No one owns “knowledge”, it should be freely shared.

Caring for all things, you care for yourself.  Giving to all, you give to yourself.  At peace with all things, you are at peace with yourself.  Looking at yourself or another, you see the same thing. You do this by accepting responsibility for the energies you manifest, actively and subtlety.

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 united in this joint task or goal, this can also dissolve the hardness of egotism.

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

The practices of loving kindness, compassion, and equanimity offer no promise of a happy ending.  These practices are not about avoiding uncertainty and fear but how we relate to discomfort.  They teach us how to practice with everyday encounters and with our emotions.

Nearly all of us have fears, frustrations, and inhibitions.  To overcome them takes courage and initiative.  If our problem is fear and timidity, we need a friend to encourage us, give us guidance and support, but they cannot solve our problems for us.  They can only encourage us to persevere.

Practicing undiscriminating virtue eliminates the illusory boundaries between yourself and others, this brings you joy and freedom.  This does not mean you don’t encounter difficulties in life, but you learn to meet them calmly and openly and they become a natural part of your life.

What has been spoiled by man’s fault can be made good through man’s work.  Once we know the causes of decay, we must not recoil from working diligently on them even if it is difficult. We must work tirelessly towards improving conditions in the world.

Quote: In complete stillness, a stone girl is dancing.

We already have everything we need.  We cling to our identities of jealousy, anger, and addictions.  They are like clouds blocking the sun, all the time our warmth and brilliance is right there.  We don’t need to change, just be who you are, just look at yourself differently.

With the season changing to spring, we must take time to notice the constancy of inner devotion.  No matter how much is going on outside of oneself, one still reaffirms what is in one’s heart.  Only when we know such constancy will we know that we are succeeding.

Intellectual knowledge exists in and of the brain, which is part of the physical body.  However, insight is a function of the spirit that never goes away, you have the opportunity to cultivate it in an ongoing fashion.  Refined over time insight becomes pure, constant, and unwavering.

Having no fear means not being constrained by things.  Playing a unique tune in life, you stand aloof of all things.  Having no distress means errant thoughts do not arise. If you have no fear or distress, you can accomplish things that are beyond the perception and reach of others. 

Quote: We are responsible for the way we think and feel.

When we feel ready to give up, healing can be found in the tenderness of pain itself.  In there reach out and touch your genuine heart of sadness.  This heart is always there for us, it can be brought to the light any time and it will glow as brilliantly as if nothing happened.

Whatever your method of self-cultivation is, prayer, meditation, or exercise, do it every day, it is inevitable that you will gain a sense of well-being from it.  A constant practice gives you a sense of satisfaction, and you can take comfort in the momentum it gives you.

Attaching yourself to gross energies such as liking this, hating that, rejecting experiences habitually, indulging in another, will lead you to a heavy and detached life.  Love all things, work daily on your habitual tendencies, and live in the world without attachments, let go.

Differences are unavoidable, the key is to seek harmony whether it is family, society, or nations, the clue is in one’s attitude.  Seek common ground on major issues while reserving differences on minor ones, and if you come together with sincerity and truthfulness no problem cannot be solved.

Quote: See things as they are without trying to control them.

In these uncertain times the ancient teachings will give you guidance and help you awaken to the fearlessness and clear-seeing that you have.  The teachings remind us of our fundamental nature, our greatest resource.  By following the guidance of the ancient teachings, we will find certainty.

The more we practice the greater our understanding becomes and thus, the more we can rely on our knowing.  This allows us to take action in more meaningful ways.  Every action completed successfully will give us confidence to try new things that we never thought possible.

Knowing others is intelligence, knowing yourself is true wisdom.  When you master yourself, you do not have to master others.  When you know you have enough, then you are truly wealthy.  Find your roots and nourish them and you will know longevity.

Look at your long-term priorities carefully and think about them.  When you see opportunities do not leap at them but wait for the right time to take action.    If you want and desire without consideration of the consequences this could lead to all kinds of entanglements.

Quote: Earthly things must be known to be loved; divine things must be loved to be known. Pascal

In these times we really do not have a choice but to learn, practice and follow the ancient teachings, not only will our friends and family benefit, but the rest of the world as well.  We all have the wisdom to create a wholesome, uplifted existence for ourselves and others.

We assert there is no end to desire, but eliminating your desires doesn’t address the need for satisfaction.  We need to have satisfaction in what we do in order to have a sense of well-being.  We need to identify our inner longings and, with new effort, bring them to fruition.

Names and concepts block your understanding of life.  We struggle to know whether things are small or large or true or false.  There is no need to struggle and try to understand things, look behind them and you will discover a deep silent truth.  Embrace it and your struggle ceases.

Seeking harmony should be based on a concern that is universal.   It is not the private interests of some individuals, but rather the goals of the majority.  Seeking harmony is a matter of being selfless; then even difficult and dangerous tasks can be accomplished.

Quote: Think about what you want to be, do, and have.

Constantly apply cheerfulness, if for no other reason than just to feel good about yourself.  If you are in a cheerful mood the people you meet will cheer up as well, it is infectious.  If you have a sense of gratitude for everything, this will also help cheer you up.

All our lives we seek union, we try to do well for our family and society, we try to touch the universal through art, music and spiritual practices.  Yet all our attempts are flawed, accord and harmony are transitory states.  Don’t wait to solve your difficulties, start now with determination.

Our enemies are human beings just like ourselves, they have the same needs and desires that we do.  As a last resort enter into conflict, but do so with the utmost compassion, do not rejoice in victory.  Peace is our highest value if our peace is shattered how can we be content.

Don’t let yourself get swept away by unfavourable circumstances, or let your steadfastness be shaken.  You can avoid this by maintaining your inner peace, remaining outwardly calm and yielding.  By doing this you can overcome the greatest of difficulties.

Quote: The first step is learning to monitor your thoughts; to think about what you are thinking about.