I thought all of Einstein’s passages were really enlightening. In his first passage he said, “[He] who can no longer wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead.” Socrates said “An unexamined life is not worth living.” Both say something similar, if not the same thing. If you can no longer take the time to stop in wonder and appreciate the world around you, why are you living? What is the purpose? To live like a drone with no emotion? Slow down, give in to your curiosity and run with it for a while. Most people find they are pleasantly surprised when they do.
Einstein also said a few things that really reminded me of Buddhism. First he said, “The true nature of a human being can be found in the degree to which he has attained liberation from the self.” And secondly, he talked about how “Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living beings and all of nature.” Amen! It sounded like something right out of our Buddhism lecture. It also made me think of how interesting it was the he referred to the illusion of consciousness as a prison and suggested we needed to be free of it. Why would we need to be free of our illusory consciousness? It is what we live through every day and often don’t know how to live any other way. His answer is to embrace everything and anything with compassion. How simple. Get over yourself, your drama, your problems, your desire, your life and simply love and be loved. It sounds pretty Utopian, I suppose, and reminds me of the question “Can’t we all just get along?” But it is so necessary. Really, just have an open mind and don’t judge others – accept them, help them, love them and appreciate it all.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Henry David Thoreau
Thoreau rocks. When we are unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence. Isn’t that so true? If you ever get the chance to simply go for a walk, watch a sunset, cook an amazing meal that takes all day (or any number of time-consuming and yet simply things) you’d understand exactly what Thoreau is saying. The fact that I was annoyed with my homework doesn’t matter – the fact that I am able to do and understand it is what matters. The fact that we have to rush to our next class doesn’t matter – the fact that we are mobile and willing matters and we should never forget that. Aches and pains don’t faze me – I’m grateful to be alive.
Children, who play life, discern its true law and relations more than men, who fail to live it worthily, but who think they are wiser by experience, that is, by failure. I thought about that quote for a long time and tried to decipher what I really was able to take from it. Basically, just because you are older doesn’t mean you are wiser and because you have experience doesn’t mean you can feel and appreciate life. Children see the world so much more simply and are able to truly live because they aren’t bogged down by daily burdens and “experience.” If we can lift the bias of life we have that comes with experience from our minds then we, too, can live freely.
God himself culminates in the present moment. Live life in the moment, for it is always the best!
Thoreau really is spreading simple messages: slow down and appreciate the greatest things in life. Free your mind so that you can internalize the appreciation and always live in the moment so life is always at its best. Sounds good to me.
Children, who play life, discern its true law and relations more than men, who fail to live it worthily, but who think they are wiser by experience, that is, by failure. I thought about that quote for a long time and tried to decipher what I really was able to take from it. Basically, just because you are older doesn’t mean you are wiser and because you have experience doesn’t mean you can feel and appreciate life. Children see the world so much more simply and are able to truly live because they aren’t bogged down by daily burdens and “experience.” If we can lift the bias of life we have that comes with experience from our minds then we, too, can live freely.
God himself culminates in the present moment. Live life in the moment, for it is always the best!
Thoreau really is spreading simple messages: slow down and appreciate the greatest things in life. Free your mind so that you can internalize the appreciation and always live in the moment so life is always at its best. Sounds good to me.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Heraclitus
The author prefaces this passage with “Heraclitus seems like a Zen Master in a toga.” I literally laughed out loud at that one. For some reason I pictured a young guy in a toga saying, “Dude, Heraclitus is totally like a Zen Master in a toga.” Aside from how ridiculous that sounded (I know), I have to say I think it is completely true.
Heraclitus’ statements seem so stupidly simple, but it is all something we take for granted. “The sun is new every day.” Well, duh. But how often, really, do we take in a beautiful sunrise and feel the sense of appreciation well up within ourselves? Probably never for most of us. Not only does the sun rise, but it provides the light the world needs to survive, it warms our skin, improves our mood and is a constant we can’t take for granted.
“It is in change that things find rest.” I couldn’t agree more. From my personal experience, I’ve found this concept to be increasingly true. I’ve moved quite a few times, made new friends, my relationships within my family have changed, etc. Through all of it I’ve found myself, and in doing so, I feel at peace and at home no matter what changes are going on around me. If people can accept that the only thing constant is change, then it will be no surprise – or inconvenience – when it happens. It will simply be life and you live through it. That is one of the most important things I’ve learned in my life and has made coping with some very stressful situations much easier.
I think Heraclitus has nailed it on the head.
Heraclitus’ statements seem so stupidly simple, but it is all something we take for granted. “The sun is new every day.” Well, duh. But how often, really, do we take in a beautiful sunrise and feel the sense of appreciation well up within ourselves? Probably never for most of us. Not only does the sun rise, but it provides the light the world needs to survive, it warms our skin, improves our mood and is a constant we can’t take for granted.
“It is in change that things find rest.” I couldn’t agree more. From my personal experience, I’ve found this concept to be increasingly true. I’ve moved quite a few times, made new friends, my relationships within my family have changed, etc. Through all of it I’ve found myself, and in doing so, I feel at peace and at home no matter what changes are going on around me. If people can accept that the only thing constant is change, then it will be no surprise – or inconvenience – when it happens. It will simply be life and you live through it. That is one of the most important things I’ve learned in my life and has made coping with some very stressful situations much easier.
I think Heraclitus has nailed it on the head.
Shoutout to Maximus
In the preface for this passage the author writes, “May his lovely tolerance be an example for us all.” That is so true! It sets a beautiful example of how people could see the world. And, it doesn’t necessarily pertain to only people of Western religions, either.
Maximus said “But we, being unable to apprehend his essence, use the help of sounds and names and pictures … beaten gold and … of plants and rivers.” I’ve heard people say “God made the mountains” or “God is in the mountains” but for some reason it offers up a completely different perspective to think of it as Maximus puts it. Instead of thinking of a man sitting somewhere in heaven making things, it gives a better visual of an essence that permeates all things. It is easier to wrap my mind around that for some reason, which is really nice.
Maximus also goes on to say “Let men know what is divine. Let them know. That is all.” That struck me like a lightening bolt. In my experience, there are far too many people who not only try to let you know what is divine, but they often go to invasive lengths to try to convince you. They do not simply let you know, let you simmer on it and make your own decision about it – instead, they go a little too far and it borders forceful. When that happens, and someone feels a belief forced upon them, they often become close-minded as a personal defense. However, if they were merely informed, their minds would remain open and the message would truly get across. “Only let them know, let them love, let them remember.”
Maximus said “But we, being unable to apprehend his essence, use the help of sounds and names and pictures … beaten gold and … of plants and rivers.” I’ve heard people say “God made the mountains” or “God is in the mountains” but for some reason it offers up a completely different perspective to think of it as Maximus puts it. Instead of thinking of a man sitting somewhere in heaven making things, it gives a better visual of an essence that permeates all things. It is easier to wrap my mind around that for some reason, which is really nice.
Maximus also goes on to say “Let men know what is divine. Let them know. That is all.” That struck me like a lightening bolt. In my experience, there are far too many people who not only try to let you know what is divine, but they often go to invasive lengths to try to convince you. They do not simply let you know, let you simmer on it and make your own decision about it – instead, they go a little too far and it borders forceful. When that happens, and someone feels a belief forced upon them, they often become close-minded as a personal defense. However, if they were merely informed, their minds would remain open and the message would truly get across. “Only let them know, let them love, let them remember.”
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Rumi
First of all, I love Rumi. I received a book of Rumi’s quotations as a gift and I immediately fell in love with it. It has continually been inspirational and it never lets me down.
This particular passage was just as amazing as the others I’ve read of his. The first thing that cracked me up was the embryo conversation. That was just hilarious! As funny as it was, though, it brought up a really good point. “I only know what I’ve experienced. You must be hallucinated.” I’m taking a philosophy class and we’ve talked about this concept for a while now. All of us only know what we experience for ourselves and we will never know what anyone else experiences. We can describe what we feel, think, see, hear, but it will never be the same as experiencing it ourselves.
Another passage that I loved was passage about the person knocking at the Friend’s door. I literally laughed out loud. “There is no place for raw meat at this table.” What does that even mean? It reminded me of meat-wad from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. (Does anyone know what I’m talking about?) On a serious note, though, it was explained with “Nothing but the fire of separation can change hypocrisy and ego.” So, the man, completely cooked (not baked), returned to the Friend and was accepted. He was accepted as “my Self” and it told us that when we can pass through the fire of separation and let go of material things and unnecessary emotions we can be one with the Friend. And it doesn’t matter if the Friend is God or enlightenment, it is still the same!
This particular passage was just as amazing as the others I’ve read of his. The first thing that cracked me up was the embryo conversation. That was just hilarious! As funny as it was, though, it brought up a really good point. “I only know what I’ve experienced. You must be hallucinated.” I’m taking a philosophy class and we’ve talked about this concept for a while now. All of us only know what we experience for ourselves and we will never know what anyone else experiences. We can describe what we feel, think, see, hear, but it will never be the same as experiencing it ourselves.
Another passage that I loved was passage about the person knocking at the Friend’s door. I literally laughed out loud. “There is no place for raw meat at this table.” What does that even mean? It reminded me of meat-wad from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. (Does anyone know what I’m talking about?) On a serious note, though, it was explained with “Nothing but the fire of separation can change hypocrisy and ego.” So, the man, completely cooked (not baked), returned to the Friend and was accepted. He was accepted as “my Self” and it told us that when we can pass through the fire of separation and let go of material things and unnecessary emotions we can be one with the Friend. And it doesn’t matter if the Friend is God or enlightenment, it is still the same!
Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali
What a beautiful piece of writing! The entire piece was very beautifully written and insightful, but the first paragraph really stood out to me. Not only does it start off by talking about beauty, which is always a pleasant beginning, but it looks at it on a deeper level. “All beauty is loved by those who are able to perceive beauty, for the perception of beauty is a delight in itself.” What a simple observation. People love to look at pleasant things and are drawn to beauty, but don’t think about why they love it. It is, indeed, the perception which is the joy itself. It makes me happy to see a beautiful flower arrangement or the brilliant teal my fiancé’s eyes turn when the sun hits them. (Googly, sorry.) But it is nice to lay my eyes upon it all.
Aside from the mushiness, though, I think it makes a really valid point. If you do not choose to see beauty around you, you will not see it. If you can see beauty around you – even if there is none – you will find joy in it. It says a lot about people’s outlooks on life. I know people who are constantly negative and bring people down around them for no reason. And, when surrounded by something beautiful or down-right awesome they fail to see it. They can’t bring themselves to find pleasure in it.
The writing conveyed the message that if you find beauty in all things, and it is natural to love it, then you can love the All-Beautiful, which is God. But no matter way you look at it – involving God or not – isn’t a much better way of life to find the beauty in things anyway? If you can’t see the good and beauty in things and appreciate them, where does it get you? Nowhere. But if you can see the greatness in things, where does it get you? Everywhere. Why is that? Because by seeing the greatness in all things, you appreciate life and nothing can bring you down.
Aside from the mushiness, though, I think it makes a really valid point. If you do not choose to see beauty around you, you will not see it. If you can see beauty around you – even if there is none – you will find joy in it. It says a lot about people’s outlooks on life. I know people who are constantly negative and bring people down around them for no reason. And, when surrounded by something beautiful or down-right awesome they fail to see it. They can’t bring themselves to find pleasure in it.
The writing conveyed the message that if you find beauty in all things, and it is natural to love it, then you can love the All-Beautiful, which is God. But no matter way you look at it – involving God or not – isn’t a much better way of life to find the beauty in things anyway? If you can’t see the good and beauty in things and appreciate them, where does it get you? Nowhere. But if you can see the greatness in things, where does it get you? Everywhere. Why is that? Because by seeing the greatness in all things, you appreciate life and nothing can bring you down.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Dame Julian of Norwich
I’ll be honest – I think I am completely missing the point of this reading. Is Julian saying there is no sin because there are no accidents and God made it that way? If people make mistakes, but it is because God wanted it to be so, is it really a sin? Or just part of the plan? Again, I’d genuine appreciate someone taking the time to straighten that out for me since I don’t know much about Christianity on a detailed level.
One quote that I found relatively confusing was “For man beholds some deeds as well done and some deeds as evil, but our lord beholds them not so, for as all that exists in nature is of God’s making, so all that is done is rightly of God’s doing.” Now, it isn’t saying that all that is done rightly is of God’s doing, it says everything that is done is rightly of God’s doing. So where does evil and Satan’s temptations come in? I am truly not meaning to offend anyone, but I am sincerely wondering about it all. My understanding is that God is just and right (even though you are supposed to love thy enemy and somehow kill them off at the same time) so everything He made is right. That being said, people would be right no matter what, correct? And if nothing is an accident, it can’t really be a sin, right?
Julian also goes on to say, “for there is no doer but he.” Again, is she saying there is no evil or Satan to tempt people? Or, since God also made Satan, would he not also be right and good no matter what he did? Why would he be evil if that is the case? Or, is it that God made Satan to be evil to tempt people and see if people made the “right” choice? If that is the answer, it just leads me to believe that God is manipulative and not into sharing and loving like we’re led to believe.
If there is someone willing to sit down and discuss this with me sometime, I’d be really grateful. Truly.
One quote that I found relatively confusing was “For man beholds some deeds as well done and some deeds as evil, but our lord beholds them not so, for as all that exists in nature is of God’s making, so all that is done is rightly of God’s doing.” Now, it isn’t saying that all that is done rightly is of God’s doing, it says everything that is done is rightly of God’s doing. So where does evil and Satan’s temptations come in? I am truly not meaning to offend anyone, but I am sincerely wondering about it all. My understanding is that God is just and right (even though you are supposed to love thy enemy and somehow kill them off at the same time) so everything He made is right. That being said, people would be right no matter what, correct? And if nothing is an accident, it can’t really be a sin, right?
Julian also goes on to say, “for there is no doer but he.” Again, is she saying there is no evil or Satan to tempt people? Or, since God also made Satan, would he not also be right and good no matter what he did? Why would he be evil if that is the case? Or, is it that God made Satan to be evil to tempt people and see if people made the “right” choice? If that is the answer, it just leads me to believe that God is manipulative and not into sharing and loving like we’re led to believe.
If there is someone willing to sit down and discuss this with me sometime, I’d be really grateful. Truly.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
