Universe

It is especially important in this discussion to recognize the unity of the total process, from that first unimaginable moment of cosmic emergence through all its subsequent forms of expression until the present. This unbreakable bond of relatedness that makes of the whole a universe becomes increasingly apparent to scientific observation, although this bond ultimately escapes scientific formulation or understanding. In virtue of this relatedness, everything is intimately present to everything else in the universe. Nothing is completely itself without everything else. This relatedness is both spatial and temporal. However distant in space or time, the bond of unity is functionally there. The universe is a communion and a community. We ourselves are that communion become conscious of itself. - Thomas Berry

The universe is a vast system of exchange. Every artery of it is in motion, throbbing with reciprocity, from the planet to the rotting leaf. The vapour climbs the sunbeam, and comes back in blessings upon the exhausted herb. The exhalation of the plant is wafted to the ocean. And so goes on the beautiful commerce of nature. And all because of dissimilarity – because no one thing is sufficient in itself, but calls for the assistance of something else, and repays by a contribution in turn. - E. H. Chapin

Truth

An adherence to truth, open and without reservation, has, from the age of chivalry downwards, been considered as one of the loftiest attributes of a "gentleman"; so much so, that, to brand as "a liar" the pretender to such a title, is one of the most deadly insults that you can offer him. - Charles William Day

A man avails himself of the truth so long as it is serviceable; but he seizes on what is false with a passionate eloquence as soon as he can make a momentary use of it. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it. Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self-sustained. - Mahatma Gandhi

Any given man sees only a tiny portion of the total truth, and very often, in fact almost ... perpetually, he deliberately deceives himself about that little precious fragment as well. - Philip K. Dick

Because a thing is eloquently expressed it should not be taken to be as necessarily true; nor because it is uttered with stammering lips should it be supposed false. - St. Augustine

Buddhist Wisdom

Praise and blame, gain and loss, pleasure and sorrow come and go like the wind. To be happy, rest like a giant tree in the midst of them all.

Patience is the strong armour. Wisdom is the sharp weapon.

Self is an error, an illusion, a dream; open your eyes and awake. He who has found there is no 'I' will let go of all the lusts and dreams of egotism.

The one of few desires is the happiest. The one who knows contentment is very rich and honoured.

The one who carries things thinks he's got things, but the one who looks on only sees the heaviness. Throw away things, lose them, and find lightness.

The original human nature is pure. It is our worldly cultures and conditionings that fogged our mind and divided people.

The wise man never changes in face of happiness or sorrow, even as a mountain shakes not, being blown against by fierce gusts of wind.

There is no fire like passion, there is no shark like hatred, there is no snare like folly, there is no torrent like greed.

There is only one reality in life - change. Everything changes, nothing remains without change.

Though one should conquer a million men in battlefield, yet indeed he is the noblest victor who has conquered himself.

To utter pleasant words without practicing them, is like a fine flower without fragrance.

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.

When emotional thoughts such as pride, hatred, jealousy arise, there is no place for us to practice patience.

When one masters his wretched desire, which is so hard to overcome, then one’s sorrows just drop off, like a drop of water off a lotus.

Yield not to idleness, neither give way to lust nor cravings. He who is full of earnest, diligent in devotion to others attains great happiness.

Prayers

Prayer changes things? No! Prayer changes people, and people change things. - Burton Hillis

Prayer must never be answered: if it is, it ceases to be prayer and becomes correspondence. - Oscar Wilde

The creator who could put a cancer in a believer's stomach is above being interfered with by prayers. - Bret Harte

Karma

Karma is one of those topics that many people know a little about, but it is often more complex than most people realize. The second law of thermodynamics is that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. On the universal scale, this is the law of karma. The law of karma basically states that every action has a reaction and whatever you do to others will later return to you, either in this life or a future life. Furthermore, ignorance of the law is no excuse. We are still accountable for everything we do, regardless of whether we understand it or not. We cannot escape it, even if we do not believe it. Therefore, the best thing is to learn how it works. If everyone understood the law of karma, we would all be living a happier life in a brighter world. - Stephen Knapp

Something of the feeling expressed by the poet is experienced by every soul when it first realizes the depth and grandeur involved in the idea of Karma, or the law of Cause and Effect; for this is all that Karma is – the law, or the truth (law and truth are synonyms in nature) that each cause is inevitably followed by its appropriate effect. Our very familiarity with this law has blinded us to its majesty; we lightly assign it as an explanation for the most inscrutable mysteries, because it is such an absolutely necessary corollary to all we conceive of life or nature, without recognizing that it itself is beyond all comprehension. Yet it contains the beginning and the end of all philosophical speculation; it demonstrates a causal relation between the Infinite and the finite, for Karma is that Infinite Power which adjusts each effect to its originating cause. - Jerome A. Anderson

Spiritual

If your mind is happy then you are happy anywhere you go. When wisdom awakens within you, you will see truth wherever you look. It's like when you learned how to read, you can then read anywhere you go. - Ajahn Chah

And here is the point, about myself and my co-thinkers. Our belief is not a belief. Our principles are not a faith. We do not rely solely upon science and reason, because these are necessary rather than sufficient factors, but we distrust anything that contradicts science or outrageous reason. We may differ on many things, but what we respect is free inquiry, open mindedness, and the pursuit of ideas for their own sake. - Christopher Hitchens

Conscious has no religion, no belief or ideology, no gender, no sexuality, no race, no age and no nationality. You ARE consciousness. - Unknown

Perhaps the most "spiritual" thing any of us can do is simply to look through our own eyes, see with eyes of wholeness, and act with integrity and kindness. - Jon Kabat-Zinn

You can’t control the universe, so mindfulness, involves learning to cultivate wisdom and equanimity. Jon Kabat-Zinn

Things derive their being and nature by mutual dependence and are nothing in themselves. - Nagarjuna

Religion

Civilization will not attain to its perfection until the last stone from the last church falls on the last priest. - Emile Zola

I count religion but a childish toy, and hold there is no sin but ignorance. - Christopher Marlowe

I'd be more willing to accept religion, even if I didn't believe it, if I thought it made people nicer to each other but I don't think it does. - Andy Rooney

If the people were a little more ignorant, astrology would flourish – if a little more enlightened, religion would perish. - Robert Green Ingersoll

If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion. - Unknown

If the fundamentals of religions are peace and love, then why are the religious fundamentalists such massive, intolerant, violent, bigoted pricks? - Pablo Paredes

In the long run, nothing can withstand reason and experience, and the contradiction religion offers to both is palpable. - Sigmund Freud

Zen

To some people, the word Zen may sound so spiritual, so mystical. But it is just a word used to describe a certain practice – no more, no less.

Zen is really extraordinarily simple as long as one doesn't try to be cute about it or beat around the bush! Zen is simply the sensation and the clear understanding ... that there is behind the multiplicity of events and creatures in this universe simply one energy – and it appears as you, and everything is it. The practice of Zen is to understand that one energy so as to "feel it in your bones." - Alan Watts

Zen is practice, experience, life – not explaining, interpreting, investigating, quibbling. All talk, as the Chinese masters of old say, is at best a finger pointing to the moon. The finger is not the moon and cannot pull the moon down. - Heinrich Dumoulin

Zen, like life, defies exact definition, but its essence is the experience, moment by moment, of our own existence – a natural, spontaneous encounter, unclouded by the suppositions and expectations that come between us and reality. It is, if you like, a paring down of life until we see it as it really is, free from our illusions; it is merely a divestment of ourselves until we recognize our own true nature. - David Fontana

Taoism

Taoism – from the word Tao, literally means ‘the way’. It teaches us we must all find a place for ourselves in the natural way of things that does not disrupt the function of the whole. When we accept our place in the world, we become more concerned for the consequences of our actions, since for every action there is a reaction, and everything we do has a consequence for others.

There are two paths leading to oneness with the Tao. The first is the path of acceptance. Affirm everyone and everything. Freely extend your goodwill and virtue in every direction, regardless of circumstances. Embrace all things as part of the Harmonious Oneness, and then you will begin to perceive it. The second path is that of denial. Recognize that everything you see and think is a falsehood, an illusion, a veil over the truth. Peel all the veils away, and you will arrive at the Oneness. Though these paths are entirely different, they will deliver you to the same place: spontaneous awareness of the Great Oneness. - Lao Tzu

The Teachings of The Buddha

If anyone were to speak ill of me, my doctrine or my disciples, do not bear any ill-will towards him, do not be upset or be perturbed at heart, for if you were to be so it will only cause you harm. On the other hand if anyone were to speak well of me, my doctrine and my disciples, do not be overjoyed, thrilled or be elated at heart, for if you should be so it will only be an obstacle in your way of forming a correct judgment as to whether the qualities of praised are indeed real and actually found in us. - The Buddha

Never have anything to do with likes and dislikes. The absence of what one likes is painful, as is the presence of what one dislikes. Therefore don’t take a liking to anything. To lose what one likes is hard, but there are no bonds for those who have no likes and dislikes. From preference arises sorrow, from preference arises fear, but he who is freed from preference has no sorrow and certainly no fear. - The Buddha

Seeing that we are better than others is not right. Seeing that we are equal to others is not right. Seeing that we are inferior to others is not right. If we think we are better than others, pride arises. If we think we are equal to others, we fail to show respect and humility at the proper times. If we think we are inferior to others, we get depressed thinking we are inferior, born under a bad sign and so on. Just let all of that go. - The Buddha

Bible

Meditation

Sitting like a mountain let your mind rise and fly and soar. - Sogyal Rinpoche

Sleep is the best meditation. - Dalai Lama

Suffering occurs when people are enslaved by their thoughts. Meditation teaches one to let them go like one’s breath. - Venerable Hyon Gak

The art of meditation is the art of listening with your total being. If one can learn how to listen rightly, one has learned the deepest secret of meditation. - Osho

The essence of meditation is ‘nowness’… (it) is not aimed at achieving a higher state or at following some theory or idea, but simply, without any object or ambition, trying to see what is here and now. - Chogyam Trungpa

The gift of learning to meditate is the greatest gift you can give yourself in this lifetime. - Sogyal Rinpoche

The goal of meditation isn’t to control your thoughts, it’s to stop letting them control you. - Unknown

The problem with introspection is that it has no end. - Philip K. Dick

Thus meditating you will no longer strive to build yourself up in your prejudices, but, forgetting self, you will remember only that you are seeking the Truth. - James Allen

We step and do not step in the same river, we are and are not.” Such unity is the achievement of the meditator in response to the creative spirit he discovers within himself. - Unknown

Mysticism

Developing the Inner Self

Each of us occasionally experiences some emotional upset to which it is difficult to adjust. We become completely vulnerable to our own negative feelings. In addition, many people who have little or no spiritual awareness suffer all the more under emotional stress because they have nowhere to turn to find the comfort and consolation they inwardly desire and seek.

It is our inner consciousness which comes to our aid in times of sorrow, grief, and despondency. It soothes and comforts us, and brings that consolation which gives peace and solace to our troubled hearts and minds. That consolation can come only to those who have developed their inner awareness to some degree. The Inner Self, the Master Within, is always ready to comfort, inspire, and guide us. But we in turn must allow the inner self to express itself in its own way, so that we may meet the problems of the day with deeper insight and understanding, and thus overcome many of life’s obstacles.

A bridge between the outer and inner self

We have to build a bridge between the outer self and the inner self, in order that the power and efficacy of the inner spiritual self can be expressed in our objective consciousness in the form of inspiration and guidance. In times of emotional stress, the inner self will envelop the outer consciousness with feelings of peace and comfort, but only to the degree that the bridge between the outer and inner selves has been developed.

Many people fail to adjust to life’s trying problems because they endeavour to solve their difficulties purely by means of their intellect and reason. They neglect, or ignore, the wisdom of the inner self and as a result, failed to master life’s problems. If they could only realize that the inner self is ever available as a wise companion, they would begin today to cultivate a closer and more intimate association with their inner consciousness. But how do we build this association between the inner and outer selves?

The development of our psychic consciousness is one of the keys to the blending of the outer self with the divine consciousness within. By practicing those exercise which develop our psychic consciousness and the faculty of intuition, we gradually allow the soul force within to express itself in the form of hunches, intuition, and inspiration. Particularly at times when we under great stress, we can turn to the inner self for comfort and guidance. However, we should not make the mistake of believing that the inner self will do our thinking for us. We still must make every effort to solve our daily problems by using our reasoning and thinking powers. Our intuition will act as a form of superior judgment, helping us to avoid mistakes and accidents, and yet giving us the freedom to choose by use of our reasoning.

Cosmic Consciousness

An important point to consider in this form of development is that when we have fully developed the inner self, we will attain Cosmic Consciousness, or complete awareness of the Cosmic. Therefore we must think in terms of development over a long period of time, possibly many lifetimes. However, the results of development are always in proportion to the effort made. As soon as we begin these psychic exercises, results will begin to be noticed in the form of intuitive insights into our daily problems.

We should also realize that to develop our realization of the Divine Consciousness within us is not merely a matter of practicing certain exercises for psychic unfoldment. It is important that our character and behaviour undergo certain changes and refinements. In a sense, development must be threefold.

First, we should develop our intellectual comprehension, knowledge, and mental acumen. The mind must be developed to its greatest capacity. Second, our psychic consciousness must be gradually unfolded, preferably through exercises, which allow for a balanced unfoldment of all our psychic faculties. And finally, we must regulate our behaviour to conform to the highest good we know, and to evolve our character so that it reflects the dictates or our advancing soul consciousness. Again, we are speaking of development over a long period, but it can be accomplished when we keep in mind the goal to which we aspire.

If we merely read and study without practicing the teachings which are given, then our development will be retarded in many aspects. The most valuable unfoldment of all faculties takes place when we balance the mental, psychic and spiritual parts of our being.

We should therefore establish for ourselves a program of simple exercises which, if performed regularly over a period of time, will bring the greatest benefits to us. We will know that our development is slow but sure, and we will be able to meet all events of the day, no matter how trying, with insight and composure. We will derive much more happiness from life because most of our problems will be easily mastered. We will gain much more insight into the problems plaguing our society, and see solutions that others have failed to see. We will be more endeared to our friends. But in times of trouble and emotional stress, the cosmic powers within us will bring comfort and consolation so we may bear any difficult burden.

The problem of today’s society is that people have nowhere to turn in their difficulties, since they have ignored the promptings of the inner self and rely solely on their own intellectual resources, which are cold comfort in times of sorrow. Nevertheless, the time must come for each individual when he must awaken to the promptings of the inner self and take the first steps along the mystical path. Until that time, we must be ready to offer what assistance we can to those who are searching for a deeper meaning to life. Therefore, the more prepared we are by virtue of our studies, the more valuable will be our service. And that preparation should comprise the threefold aspect of our being.

The art of concentration is, of cause, fundamental to all our exercises, yet is often misunderstood. Briefly defined, concentration is a state in which the objective consciousness is focused on one point, place, or condition. Concentration is not merely focalizing attention. The secret is in allowing the inner self to become completely absorbed in the object one’s concentration, by making four of the sense faculties dormant. It is a passive condition, not an active one.

Another important exercise is visualization, which many members have difficulty achieving. The main problem some members have is that after they are unsuccessful a few times, they give up. Most of our exercises require considerable repetition to master properly. This is especially true in the case of visualizing. The art consists in creating and building a picture on the screen of consciousness so accurately that you see it, feel it, and sense it in every way. Then you pass the image into the Cosmic, dismissing it from your mind. This is the method by which we create the things and conditions we want to establish in our lives, so it is a technique that we should strive to master, for upon it will depend much of our success in life.

Perhaps the most important exercise for bridging the gap between the objective mind and the inner self is meditation. In meditation, we transform our consciousness to a passive and receptive state where the inner self can impress its influence upon our objective faculties. We cannot just still our minds and expect an influx of divine wisdom. We have to raise our consciousness step-by-step to a point where the Divine Consciousness can impinge itself upon our open and receptive mind. It is a sacred process. We have to approach the Cosmic in purity and truth. There must be a sanctity of mind. This is where many failed in their meditations: Having an academic, or analytical approach, they failed to attune their minds to the Comic.

When the need is greatest, and the outer mind is in turmoil, then the Cosmic will often impinge itself upon us, bringing consolation and a feeling of peace even during our deepest sorrow. In a sense, this reveals that while we must be completely passive in meditation, we also must feel a passion or great love for the Cosmic. An empty heart will bring little or no results, but if in our hearts there is a great love for the Cosmic – a love that grows as we become more successful in our meditations – then we will have created a condition which will make us more receptive to the influence of the Cosmic Consciousness residing in each of us. By the regular practice of these simple exercises in concentration, visualization, and meditation, we will know that we are rapidly becoming the masters of lives, and our influence on society will be a valuable contribution in these troubled times.

Extracted from the article Developing the Inner Self by Robert E. Daniels.

God

Since dictating the Bible, and hiring a perfect race of ministers to explain it, God has never done much but creep around and try to catch us disobeying it. - Sinclair Lewis

For anyone who is pervaded with the sense of causal law in all that happens, who accepts in real earnest the assumption of causality, the idea of a Being who interferes with the sequence of events in the world is absolutely impossible. Neither the religion of fear nor the social-moral religion can have any hold on him. - Albert Einstein

The word ‘God’ is used in most cases as by no means a term of science or exact knowledge, but a term of poetry and eloquence, a term thrown out, so to speak, as a not fully grasped object of the speaker's consciousness – a literary term, in short; and mankind mean different things by it as their consciousness differs. - Mathew Arnold

Universe

We see the universe as it is ... and these naked truths are cruel ones. We who believe in life, and treasure it, will die. Afterward there will be nothing, eternal emptiness, blackness, nonexistence. In our living there has been no purpose, no poetry, no meaning. Nor do our deaths possess these qualities. When we are gone, the universe will not long remember us, and shortly it will be as if we had never lived at all. Our worlds and our universe will not long outlive us. Ultimately entropy will consume all, and our puny efforts cannot stay that awful end. - George R. R. Martin

The universe is no narrow thing and the order within it is not constrained by any latitude in its conception to repeat what exists in one part in any other part. Even in this world more things exist without our knowledge than with it and the order in creation which you see is that which you have put there, like a string in a maze, so that you shall not lose your way. For existence has its own order and that no man's mind can compass, the mind itself being but a fact among others. - Cormac McCarthy

Those afraid of the universe as it really is, those who pretend to non-existent knowledge and envision a Cosmos centred on human beings will prefer the fleeting comforts of superstition. They avoid rather than confront the world. But those with the courage to explore the weave and structure of the Cosmos, even where it differs profoundly from their wishes and prejudices, will penetrate its deepest mysteries. - Carl Sagan

Truth

In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in an clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. Our life is a long and arduous quest after Truth. - Mahatma Gandhi

Institutions such as schools, churches, governments and political organizations of every sort all tended to direct thought for ends other than truth, for the perpetuation of their own functions, and for the control of individuals in the service of these functions. - Robert M. Pirsig

Language is limited. It cannot be used to express colour to the blind nor sound to the deaf and cannot be used to express truth. Truth, being above the limitations of language, can only be expressed symbolically or by analogy, and the comprehension of truth so expressed is relative to the understanding of the recipient. - Henry N. Gerguson

Buddhist Wisdom

He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.

If a man should do wrong, let him not do again nor take pleasure in it, for painful is the accumulation of evil.

If you see certainty in that which is uncertain, you are bound to suffer.

Joyful is the accumulation of good work.

Just as a solid rock remains unshaken by the wind. Even so, may blame and praise not ruffle the wise.

Just as the dweller in his body passes through childhood, youth and old age, so at death, he merely passes into another kind of body.

Let a man avoid evil deeds as a man who loves life avoids poison.

Let a man overcome anger by love; Let him overcome evil by good; Let him overcome greed by liberality, and lies by truth.

Like a beautiful flower that is colorful but has no fragrance, even well spoken words bear no fruit in one who does not put them into practice.

Like a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, so the wise are not moved by praise or blame.

Little by little a person becomes good, as a water pot is filled by drops of water.

More than those who hate you, more than all your enemies, an undisciplined mind does greater harm.

No enemy can harm one so much as one’s own thoughts of craving, hate and jealousy.

No one and nothing can free you but your own understanding.

Nothing is, everything is becoming. There is no present - only change.

One act of pure love in saving life is greater than spending the whole of one’s time in religious offerings to the gods.

Humour

Karma

Karma is not punishment or retribution but simply an extended expression or consequence of natural acts. The effects experienced are also able to be mitigated by actions and are not necessarily fated. That is to say, a particular action now is not binding to some particular, pre-determined future experience or reaction; it is not a simple, one-to-one correspondence of reward or punishment.... Karma is not a theory that says you do this, you will get that, whether good or bad. It says do good work, I'll decide when you'll get good results, when you need it, and not when you want it. - Parvesh Singla

Karma is not simply the belief that everyone should get an equal taste of the hardships and enjoyments of life. It also has to do with cosmic punishment and reward for good and evil actions – but even this isn't the main point. A deeper purpose of karma is to give people the opportunity to develop spiritual mastery of the pains and pleasures involved with life. Once you come to terms with what life has to offer and grow to see things as they are, then you're ready to move on to a higher level of existence. - Jay Stevenson

Karma is not something pessimistic. If you think of karma as something wrong, you are seeing karma only according to what happened in the past. You look at the past and karma becomes a monster. So you should also look at karma in the present and future. Then karma becomes something very wide and really alive. Through karma you can understand what your destiny is. Destiny itself has no solid form; it's something you can create. You can create your life. That is why we study karma. - Dainin Katagiri

Spiritual

Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people. One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious. The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely. Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes. - Carl Jung

The great teachings unanimously emphasize that all the peace, wisdom, and joy in the universe are already within us; we don't have to gain, develop, or attain them. We're like a child standing in a beautiful park with his eyes shut tight. We don't need to imagine trees, flowers, deer, birds, and sky; we merely need to open our eyes and realize what is already here, who we really are. - Unknown

The real does not die, the unreal never lived. Set your mind right and all will be right. When you know that the world is one, that humanity is one, you will act accordingly. But first of all you must attend to the way you feel, think and live. Unless there is order in yourself, there can be no order in the world. - Nisargadatta Maharaj

Religion

Religion is based, I think, primarily and mainly upon fear. It is partly the terror of the unknown and partly, as I have said, the wish to feel that you have a kind of elder brother who will stand by you in all your troubles and disputes. Fear is the basis of the whole thing – fear of the mysterious, fear of defeat, fear of death. Fear is the parent of cruelty, and therefore it is no wonder if cruelty and religion have gone hand-in-hand. It is because fear is at the basis of those two things. In this world we can now begin a little to understand things, and a little to master them by the help of science, which has forced its way step by step against the Christian religion, against the churches, and against the opposition of all the old precepts. Science can help us to get over this craven fear in which mankind has lived for so many generations. Science can teach us, and I think our own hearts can teach us, no longer to look around for imaginary supports, no longer to invent allies in the sky, but rather to look to our own efforts here below to make this world a fit place to live in, instead of the sort of place that the churches in all these centuries have made it. - Bertrand Russell

People will tell us that without the consolations of religion they would be intolerably unhappy. So far as this is true, it is a coward's argument. Nobody but a coward would consciously choose to live in a fool's paradise. When a man suspects his wife of infidelity, he is not thought the better of for shutting his eyes to the evidence. And I cannot see why ignoring evidence should be contemptible in one case and admirable in the other. - Bertrand Russell

No religion I ever encountered made any sense. None are consistent. Most gods are megalomaniacs and paranoid psychotics by their worshippers' description. I don't see how they could survive their own insanity. But it's not impossible that human beings are incapable of interpreting a power so much greater than themselves. Maybe religions are twisted and perverted shadows of truth. Maybe there are forces which shape the world. I myself have never understood why, in a universe so vast, a god would care about something so trivial as worship or human destiny. - Glen Cook

Thoughts

Our thoughts are penetrating, far reaching, and once we begin to radiate a loving appreciation to others, a fusion of the light of the mind and of the living grow within us will begin to take place. - Unknown

Our concentrated thoughts are greatly effective. When we visualize our desired ideals and the service we want to render, we may be sure that we will be successful. - Unknown

Keep your heart clear and transparent and you will never be bound. A single disturbed thought, though, creates ten thousand distractions. - Ryokan

Most people don't know or don't accept the fact that if they had no thoughts they would be happy. - Anthony Damiani

As surgeons keep their instruments and knives always at hand for cases requiring immediate treatment, so shouldst thou have thy thoughts ready to understand things divine and human, remembering in thy every act, even the smallest, how close is the bond that unites the two. - Marcus Aurelius

Taoism at a Glance

Taoism (also spelled Daoism) is based on the teachings of the Tao Te Ching, a short tract written in the 6th century BC in China. Taoism emphasizes spiritual harmony within the individual, complementing Confucianism's focus on social duty. The two great Chinese belief systems were founded at about the same time and continue to exist side-by-side in today's China. There are two main schools within Taoism, usually called "philosophical Taoism" (Tao-chia) and "religious Taoism" (Tao-chaio). The two are not as strongly distinguished as once thought, but philosophical Taoism tends to focus on the philosophical writings of Lao-Tzu, Chuang-Tzu and other early mystics while religious Taoism emphasizes religious rituals aimed at attaining immortality.

Just as my interest in Buddhism lies in the philosophical teachings, my interest in Taoism is also in the philosophical teachings only, and not the religious aspects of it.

Taoism is about the Tao. This is usually translated as the Way. But it's hard to say exactly what this means. I don’t think there is an English word which can appropriately translate the meaning of Tao – due to the limit of languages.

It is a religion of unity and opposites; Yin and Yang. The principle of Yin Yang sees the world as filled with complementary forces – action and non-action, light and dark, hot and cold, and so on

Many Taoist ideas come from other Chinese schools of thought. It's not always easy to draw accurate distinctions between ideas that are fundamentally Taoist and those that Taoism took in from elsewhere, especially Buddhism.

Taoism is also increasingly influential in the West, especially in the fields of alternative medicine and martial arts like Tai Chi.

Teachings of The Buddha

Never have anything to do with likes and dislikes. The absence of what one likes is painful, as is the presence of what one dislikes. Therefore don’t take a liking to anything. To lose what one likes is hard, but there are no bonds for those who have no likes and dislikes. From preference arises sorrow, from preference arises fear, but he who is freed from preference has no sorrow and certainly no fear. - The Buddha

Seeing that we are better than others is not right. Seeing that we are equal to others is not right. Seeing that we are inferior to others is not right. If we think we are better than others, pride arises. If we think we are equal to others, we fail to show respect and humility at the proper times. If we think we are inferior to others, we get depressed thinking we are inferior, born under a bad sign and so on. Just let all of that go. - The Buddha

Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Joy follows a pure thought like a shadow that never leaves. Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draws it. - The Buddha

Silence

Sometimes there would be a rush of noisy visitors and the silence of the monastery would be shattered. This would upset the disciples; not the Master who seemed just as content with the noise as with the silence. To his protesting disciples he said, “Silence is not the absence of sound, but the absence of self.” - Anthony de Mello

Meditation

Meditation can help us embrace our worries, our fear, our anger; and that is very healing. We let our own natural capacity of healing do the work. - Thich Nhat Hanh

A time comes when you don't have to use meditation techniques anymore. You just sit down and you are nonexistence itself. - Frederick Lenz

Drop all ideas of achieving in meditation, just do it naturally; what happens happens on its own. One day, effortlessly, everything starts happening by itself. - Osho

Meditation is the act of turning consciousness towards its own center, so that it perceives itself. - Lawrence Galante

Meditation allows us to directly participate in our lives instead of living life as an afterthought. - Stephen Levine

Meditation is to the mind what exercise is to the body, it warms and invigorates. - John Thornton

Enjoy simple things with total intensity. Just a cup of tea can be a deep meditation. - Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

If it weren’t for my mind, my meditation would be excellent. - Ani Pema Chodron

Mysticism

The sun is the source of all light and life, and its daily rising in the East was one of the earliest mysteries to man. To mystics the sunrise represents the dawning of new consciousness and the coming of the light of a higher understanding of man and the universe. - Unknown

Consciousness dances upon the ocean of context and form, upon a backdrop of space and time. - Unknown

Every thought and every breath is a breath and a thought occurring in awareness; and we are that awareness. - Unknown

In the stillness of being I remain forever here and now. - Unknown

Now is the only item on the menu of existence. - Unknown

Space is the geometry of time. - Terry Edwards

There is no hierarchy in being. - Unknown

Time is merely a construct of a wholly false perception. - Unknown

You are not a singular character within the drama, you are the source and entirety of being. - Unknown

You wander from room to room hunting for the diamond necklace that is already around your neck! - Rumi

Your opinions are worthless and count for absolutely nothing! - Unknown

God

God is omnipotent; God is wholly good; and yet evil exists. There seems to be some contradiction between these three propositions, so that if any two of them were true the third would be false. But at the same time all three are essential parts of most theological positions: the theologian it seems, at once must adhere and cannot consistently adhere to all three. - J. L. Mackie

God is the immemorial refuge of the incompetent, the helpless, the miserable. They find not only sanctuary in his arms, but also a kind of superiority, soothing to their macerated egos; He will set them above their betters. - H. L. Mencken

I cannot conceive of a God who rewards and punishes his creatures, or has a will of the type of which we are conscious in ourselves. An individual who should survive his physical death is also beyond my comprehension, nor do I wish it otherwise; such notions are for the fears or absurd egoism of feeble souls. - Albert Einstein