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Words Of Wisdom {Page Twenty Six}
Whatever may be the situation, if it is acceptable, it is pleasant. If it is not acceptable, it is painful. What makes it acceptable is not important; the cause may be physical, or psychological, or untraceable; acceptance is the decisive factor. Obversely, suffering is due to non-acceptance. Why [shouldn't pain be acceptable]? Did you ever try? Do try and you will find in pain a joy which pleasure cannot yield, for the simple reason that acceptance of pain takes you much deeper than pleasure does. ~Nisargadatta~
The highest principle cannot be explained; It is neither free nor bound. Lively and attuned to everything, It is always right before you. ~Niu T'ou~
The whole world should be one humanity: no fanaticism, no racism, no nationalism. Then, for the first time, we can drop the idea of wars. We can make life with honesty, worth living, worth enjoying; playful, meditative, creative, and give every man and every woman equal opportunity to grow and bring their potential to flowering. ~Osho~
Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance towards the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point. ~Harold B. Melchart~
If you fail to achieve freedom in this life, when do you expect to achieve it? While still alive, you should be tireless in practicing contemplation. The practice consists of abandonments. "The abandonment of what?" you may ask. You should abandon all the workings of your relative consciousness, which you have been cherishing since eternity; retire within your inner being and see the reason of it. As your self-reflection grows deeper and deeper, the moment will surely come upon you when the spiritual flower will suddenly burst into bloom, illuminating the entire universe. ~Wu-hsin~
In every person who comes near you look for what is good and strong; honor that; try to imitate it, and your faults will drop off like dead leaves when their time comes. ~John Ruskin
It was beyond description and altogether incommunicable, for there was nothing in the world to which it could be compared. As I looked round and up and down, the whole universe with its multitudinous sense objects now appeared quite different; what was loathsome before, together with ignorance and passions, was seen to be nothing else but the outflow of my own inmost nature, which in itself remained bright, true and transparent. ~Hakuin~
Men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~Henry David Thoreau~
If you have developed great capacity and cutting insight, you can undertake Zen right where you are. Without getting it from another, you understand it on your own. The penetrating spiritual light and vast open tranquility have never been interrupted since beginningless time. The pure, uncontrived, ineffable, complete true mind does not act as a partner to objects of material sense, and is not a companion of myriad things. When the mind is always as clear and bright as ten suns shining together, detached from views and beyond feelings, cutting through the ephemeral illusions of birth and death, this is what is meant by the saying "Mind itself is Buddha." You do not have to abandon worldly activities in order to attain effortless unconcern. You should know that worldly activities and effortless unconcern are not two different things, but if you keep thinking about rejection and grasping, you make them two. ~Hui Neng~
While meditating I sit quietly and rest in the nature of mind; I don't question or doubt whether I am in the "correct" state or not. There is no effort, only rich understanding, wakefulness, and unshakable certainty. When I am in the nature of mind, the ordinary mind is no longer there. There is no need to sustain or confirm a sense of being: I simply am. ~Sogyal Rinpoche~
Awakening is where there is No birth, no extinction; It is seeing into the State of Suchness, Absolutely transcending All categories constructed by mind.
~Lankavatara Sutra~
One's true happiness depends more upon one's own judgment of one's self, on a consciousness of rectitude in action and intention, and in the approbation of those few who judge impartially, than upon the applause of the unthinking undiscerning multitude, who are apt to cry Hosanna today, and tomorrow, Crucify him. ~Benjamin Franklin~
It is not necessary to Reject activity and seek quiet; Just make yourself inwardly Empty while outwardly Harmonious. Then you will be at peace in The midst of frenetic activity In the world ~Sokei-an Sasaki~
Class is an aura of confidence that is being sure without being cocky. Class has nothing to do with money. Class never runs scared. It is self-discipline and self-knowledge. It's the sure footedness that comes with having proved you can meet life. ~Ann Landers~
Zen enlightenment is as if you have been away from home for many years, when suddenly you see your father or mother in town. You know them right away, without a doubt. There is no need to ask whether they are your parents or not. ~Dogen~
Every man stamps his value on himself... man is made great or small by his own will. ~J.C.F. von Schiller~
To find happiness in your life it does not matter what you do. What matters is to have the courage to be yourself:� without it� you will always remain unhappy with it you will find infinite happiness. ~Nashti~
At one stroke I forgot all my knowledge! There's no use for artificial discipline, For, move as I will, I manifest the ancient Way. ~Hakuin~
There are things that are important for us, so we speak about them. There are things very important to us, and so words flow out from us, bursting with emotion, meaning and depth. And then there are things that shake us to the core. The core of our being does not wait for the mind's permission or for the right words, there are no words that can contain it. It breaks out in a cry, in a scream and in silence. This is the sound of the shofar: A crying voice, not even of a human being, but of an animal's horn. We need the animal, not for its coarseness, but on the contrary, because we need to express something so sublime, it cannot find words; so essential and unbounded, the mind can neither fathom it nor hold it back. The very core of our souls needs to cry, "Father! Father!" ~Tzvi Freeman~
Like the empty sky, It has no boundaries, Yet it is right in this place, Ever profound and clear. When you seek to know it, You cannot see it. You cannot take hold of it. But you cannot lose it. In not being able to get it, You get it. When you are silent, it speaks. The great gate is wide open To bestow alms, And no crowd is blocking the way. ~Takuan~
Not the owner of many possessions will you be right to call happy: he more rightly deserves the name of happy who knows how to use the Gods' gifts wisely and to put up with rough poverty, and who fears dishonor more than death. ~Horace~
In the very ultimate, Rules and standards do not exist. Develop a mind of equanimity, And all deeds are put to rest. Anxious doubts are completely cleared. ~Seng T'san~
You are not happy because you are well. You are well because you are happy. You are not depressed because trouble has come to you, but trouble has come to you because you are depressed. You can change your thoughts and feelings, and then the outer things will come to correspond, and indeed there is no other way of working. ~Emmet Fox~
If all things are returned to the One, To where does that One return? ~Chao Chao~
You can find on the outside only what you possess on the inside. ~Adolfo Montiel Ballesteros~
Enlightenment means seeing into your own essential nature, and this at the same time means seeing through to the essential ~Yasutani~
Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use. ~Emily Post~
The spiritual path is not about gaining more knowledge or settling stronger in beliefs. These are activities of the mind, a protection of the ego. Spirituality is the expansion of Consciousness, the realization that we are Consciousness itself. Your Being is nameless, free of any kind of identity or definition. Freedom is simply the recognition of that. ~Tyohar~
As long as people are beguiled by words, they can never expect to penetrate to the heart of Zen. Why? Because words are merely a vehicle on which the truth is carried. Not understanding the meaning of the old masters and their koans, people try to find it in the words only, but they will find nothing there to lay their hands on. The truth itself is beyond all description, but it is by words that the truth is manifested. Let us, then, forget the words when we gain the truth itself. This is done only when we have an insight through experience into that which is indicated by the words. ~Lu K'uan Yu~
When you act naturally, effortlessly, it is right. If there is any doubt do not act... wait. When there is clarity, there is no doubt. ~Shanti~
People who study Buddhism should seek real, true perception and understanding. If you attain real, true perception, birth and death don't affect you; you are free to go or stay. You needn't seek wonders, for wonders come of themselves. Just put thoughts to rest and don't seek outwardly anymore. When things come up, then give them your attention; just trust what is functional in you at present, and you have nothing to be concerned about.� ~Sokei-an Sasaki~
Trials, temptations, disappointments, all these are helps instead of hindrances, if one uses them rightly. They not only test the fibre of a character, but strengthen it. Every conquered temptation represents a new fund of moral energy. Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before. ~James Buckham~
Do away with your old habits and start fresh. Wash away your old opinions, And new ideas come in.�~Xue Xuan~
It seems almost paradoxical, yet when your inner dependency on form is gone, the general conditions of your life, the outer forms, tend to improve greatly. Things, people, or conditions that you thought you needed for your happiness now come to you with no struggle or effort on your part, and you are free to enjoy and appreciate them - while they last. All those things, of course, will still pass away, cycles will come and go, but with dependency gone there is no fear of loss anymore. Life flows with ease. ~Eckhart Tolle~
It is a great misfortune for those Engaged in learning to take the Sayings of the sages as mere Verbal exercises. ~Xue Xuan~
To offer no resistance to life is to be in a state of grace, ease, and lightness. This state is then no longer dependent upon things being in a certain way, good or bad. ~Eckhart Tolle~
Keep Quiet Here and Now. You are Happiness, you are Peace, you are Freedom. Do not entertain any notions that you are in trouble. Be kind to yourself. Open to your Heart and simply Be. ~Poonjaji~
The man who views the world at fifty the same as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life. ~Muhammad Ali~
To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day. ~Tao te ching~
If we want to throw open the road ahead, We must first push down the wall that's facing us. What wall is this? The wall is in our minds. If our minds are not covered over, Then all affairs are open to investigation. When our intent has been made genuine, Then our minds are broad and Our bodies are at ease. ~Hong Yuan~
Wouldn't it be nice if the lables of religion could be removed and spirit be seen from all differing points of view unclouded and unmuddied as if through the eyes of a newborn child. ~Rev. David Zeek~
To the extent that you devote time and energy to resisting something, you allow that something control over you! To the extent that you ignore something, that something has no control over you! ~Rev. George Dew~
If one does not think about right and wrong, then the mind is naturally at ease. If one has no thought of peace of mind, that is true peace. ~Chuang Tzu~
If one would attain the perfection of purity, One must purify one's mind. As one's mind is purified, So the buddha-land is purified. ~Vimalakirti Sutra~
We have invented god. The thinking created god for itself. That means, due to unhappiness, fear and depression we created something, called god. When you are free of fear, free of suffering, there is no desire for a god. ~J. Krishnamurti~
The unseen force that created the universe is a most invaluable thing. Its progress lies in simple everyday happenings. Any method or technique that is too complex will only give rise to complications. ~Fayan~
This is what enlightenment is all about, a deep understanding that there is no problem. Then, with no problem to solve, what will you do? Immediately you start living. You will eat, you will sleep, you will love, you will work, you will have a chit-chat, you will sing, you will dance - what else is there to do? ~Osho~
A life without adventure is likely to be unsatisfying, but a life in which adventure is allowed to take whatever form it will is sure to be short. ~Bertrand Russell~
Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you're alive, it isn't. ~Richard Bach~
You must act only for this day and this hour. Because tomorrow is unfixed and difficult to know. You must meditate without wasting time, thinking that there is only this day and this hour. After that it becomes truly easy. ~Dogen~
When superior people hear of the Way, they travel it diligently. When mediocre people hear of the Way, they seem aware, yet are as if oblivious. When lesser people hear of the Way, they laugh at it out loud. What they don't laugh at couldn't be the Way. ~Lao tze~
In each journey of your life you must be where you are. You may only be passing through on your way to somewhere else seemingly more important, nevertheless, there is purpose in where you are right now. ~Tzvi Freeman~
I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing. ~Agatha Christie~
If you want to understand Zen, Understand it right away without deliberation, Without turning your head this way or that. Zen teaches us to go beyond logic And not to tarry even when we come Up against the things which are not seen. ~D.T. Suzuki~
The worthies of old all had means of emancipating people. What I teach people just requires you not to take on the confusion of others. If you need to act, then act, without any further hesitation or doubt. ~Lin Chi~
Be interested in yourself beyond all experience, be with yourself, love yourself; the ultimate security is found only in self-knowledge. Be honest with yourself and nothing will betray you. ~Nisargadatta Maharaj~
I often compare the mind in meditation to a jar of muddy water: the more we leave the water without interfering or stirring it, the more the particles of dirt will sink to the bottom, letting the natural clarity of the water shine through. ~Sogyal Rinpoche~
Huike asked: If there are people intent on seeking the Path of Enlightenment, what method should they practice, what method is most essential and concise?
Bodhidharma answered: Let them just contemplate mind�this one method takes in all practices, and is indeed essential and concise. ~Bodhidharma~
Love is the recognition of something greater than ourselves, something that lends all life its beauty, something that endures beyond the reach of death, and in the contemplation of this mystery we lose all thought of self and seek only to become one with it and so abide with it for ever. It is when we love, therefore, and only when we love, that we lose that cunning manipulation of our knowledge which we term worldly wisdom and which is in truth merely a weapon with which we seek to enforce the
satisfaction of our selfish demands. When we love we live those values which previously were largely theoretical and so our lives become representative of our souls; then it is that we are amazed to discover the countless, invisible ties uniting ourselves with others and then we become aware of the spiritual brotherhood of man and so realize that no man lives unto himself alone. Claude Houghton~
Know the strength of man, But keep a woman's care!�Be the stream of the universe! Being the stream of the universe,�Ever true and unswerving, �Become as a little child once more. Know honour, Yet keep humility. Be the valley of the universe! Being the valley of the universe, Ever true and resourceful, Return to the state of the uncarved block. ~Tao Te Ching~
Meditation doesn't necessarily mean sitting cross-legged with your eyes closed. Simply observing how your mind is responding to the sense world as you go about your business - walking, talking, shopping, whatever - can be a really perfect meditation and bring a perfect result. ~Thubten Yeshe~
Mind is the root of the myriad phenomena. All phenomena are born from mind. If you can completely comprehend mind, the myriad practices are complete. It is like a great tree: all the branches and flowers and fruits grow based on the root. The tree grows only if the root survives. If the root is cut, the tree is sure to die. If you cultivate the Path by comprehending mind, you save effort and success is easy. If you cultivate the Path without comprehending mind, then you waste effort and there is no benefit. Thus we know that all good and evil come from one's own mind. If you seek outside of mind, it is impossible. ~Bodhidharma~
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