We are all on a spiritual path whether we realize it or not. But the journey to freedom is not an easy one, is it? So, in order to save you some time on your own pilgrimage, I have listed below some Wisdom of the Ages, and one humble student’s reflections upon them.
May these thoughts help you on your Way.
A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.
(In the correct direction. This was not clearly stated, so I had to backtrack.)
A glass isn’t half full or half empty.
(This is true. It’s really half full of emptiness.)
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
(This is why I sat at the intersection until they towed me away.)
All that we are is the result of what we have thought.
(Starting from when? It would help to know…)
It is a man’s own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.
(That’s because the mind is the easiest place to get this going. I have some experience with this.)
Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.
(“Check, please!”)
The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.
(What If I have several people in my life that might be the best, how do I choose?)
The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground.
(Not in high-heels it doesn’t.)
Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.
(Got it: so love hatred. Such simple truths are not always obvious, are they?)
To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent.
(And the wisest of people, if diligent in their idleness, have the best of both worlds. Trust me on this one.)
Virtue is persecuted more by the wicked than it is loved by the good.
(Everyone needs something to do…)
I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act.
(In Hamlet. At least once.)
Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.
(Without what?)
There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth: not going all the way, and not starting.
(To which I would add dilly-dallying at the Elysian Fields, and generally walking in circles beyond that which is obviously necessary.)
No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.
(This seems pretty strict. I’m gonna get a hot dog and think about this one.)
The Virtues, like the Muses, are always seen in groups. A good principle was never found solitary in any breast.
(So Muses run in gangs? SO many things make sense to me now…)
“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”
(Appear as what? Will I recognize this person? Could this have been the stalker I had arrested?)
“The thought manifests as the word: the word manifests as the deed: the deed develops into character. So watch the thought and its ways with care, and let it spring from love born out of concern for all beings.”
(This is why I sat at the intersection until they towed me away. Again.)
“Do not learn how to react, learn how to respond.”
(Well, when people scream, “Step out of the car with your hands up!” I react AND I respond. So how will I ever reach Nirvana?)
“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.”
(Incomplete? So is my crossword puzzle. Next…)
“Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well.”
(Wow. You’ve made my Existential Angst SO happy!)
“The root of suffering is attachment.”
(I don’t do email attachments because of this exact thing.)
“Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
(Wait. This doesn’t work?)
“What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create.”
(Great, Now I’m afraid to do anything.)
“Relax, nothing is in control.”
(Been to D.C. – Know this is true.)
“To understand everything is to forgive everything.”
Okay, so…
Everything I understand is forgiven
Everything I forgive I understand
Forgive understanding and everything else
Understand everything and then forgive myself for it
Check!
There are (so, so many) roads up the Mountain. Get walking.
***end***
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