In accordance with the prarabdha of each, the One whose function it is to ordain makes each to act. What will not happen will never happen, whatever effort one may put forth. And what will happen will not fail to happen, however much one may seek to prevent it. This is certain. The part of wisdom therefore is to stay quiet.
- Ramana Maharshi -
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Friday, December 5, 2008
In hindsight
Chow: Its really a pain that wisdom can only come in hindsight.
Old man: It is not necessarily so. You should be thankful that it came.
Chow: Well I don't really know what is right or wrong. Things which I used to think was right, turned out to be dead wrong. Or vice versa. Its all so confusing at times.
Old man: It doesn't matter.
Chow: I know. Its just a silly habit I guess, always wanting to do the right thing... I'm just going through the motions.
Old man: Mmm Mmm... *nods*
Chow: Mmm Mmm... *nods*
Both of them laughed together.
Old man: It is not necessarily so. You should be thankful that it came.
Chow: Well I don't really know what is right or wrong. Things which I used to think was right, turned out to be dead wrong. Or vice versa. Its all so confusing at times.
Old man: It doesn't matter.
Chow: I know. Its just a silly habit I guess, always wanting to do the right thing... I'm just going through the motions.
Old man: Mmm Mmm... *nods*
Chow: Mmm Mmm... *nods*
Both of them laughed together.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Little quotes
These teachings are like a raft, to be abandoned once you have crossed the flood. Since you should abandon even good states of mind generated by these teachings, How much more so should you abandon bad states of mind! Conquer the angry man by love. Conquer the ill-natured man by goodness. Conquer the miser with generosity. Conquer the liar with truth. -The Dhammapada...
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Little quotes
When we learn to deal directly with our complaints and difficulties, romanticized ideas about the spiritual path are no longer meaningful. We see that what is important is to take responsibility for ourselves, and to always be aware of our thoughts, feelings, and actions. - Tarthang Tulku...
A birthday post
Chow: Its my birthday!
Old man: Oh really? Well, what are you going to do?
Chow: I don't know. Am I suppose to do something differently today?
Old man: What does society normally do on days like these?
Chow: They normally celebrate with friends and family.
Old man: Why don't you do that?
Chow: Simple. I don't know who are my friends or family.
Old man: Well then why don't you just celebrate, with whoever that is in front of you?
Chow: But I don't understand, neither do I see the point in celebrating such an ordinary day.
Old man: Silly boy. There is no such thing as a special day or an "unspecial" day. You just celebrate for the joy of celebration itself. What else can you do?
Chow: Aye. If only I don't have so much to do, and so little time.
Old man: Are you sure you are not just finding excuses? Is there someone you are hoping to celebrate your birthday with that you are avoiding?
Chow: I don't know, old man. And even if I said "yes" or "no", I know you'd look right through me.
Old man: Well at least you admit that you don't know. That is perfectly fine. Go do what you think you need to do okay?
Chow: yes.
Old man: Oh, and one more thing.
Chow: Hm?
Old man: Happy birthday, my child.
Old man: Oh really? Well, what are you going to do?
Chow: I don't know. Am I suppose to do something differently today?
Old man: What does society normally do on days like these?
Chow: They normally celebrate with friends and family.
Old man: Why don't you do that?
Chow: Simple. I don't know who are my friends or family.
Old man: Well then why don't you just celebrate, with whoever that is in front of you?
Chow: But I don't understand, neither do I see the point in celebrating such an ordinary day.
Old man: Silly boy. There is no such thing as a special day or an "unspecial" day. You just celebrate for the joy of celebration itself. What else can you do?
Chow: Aye. If only I don't have so much to do, and so little time.
Old man: Are you sure you are not just finding excuses? Is there someone you are hoping to celebrate your birthday with that you are avoiding?
Chow: I don't know, old man. And even if I said "yes" or "no", I know you'd look right through me.
Old man: Well at least you admit that you don't know. That is perfectly fine. Go do what you think you need to do okay?
Chow: yes.
Old man: Oh, and one more thing.
Chow: Hm?
Old man: Happy birthday, my child.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Can I truly accept my fate?
Chow: Can I truly accept my fate?
Old man: Just look at your sentence, as long as there is an "I" then you can never accept anything.
Chow: But sometimes I can, and sometimes I can't. Why is that?
Old man: That is just a illusion of the mind. If you could accept it once, then accept it once and for all. Why do you accept it for a transient period of time and then forget the acceptance?
Chow: ...
Old man: You have never accepted anything to begin with. That is your problem. The illusion that you feel as though you have accepted your fate is all just part of the struggle not to accept your fate. It is very subtle. You have to pay attention.
*thinks for a while...*
Chow: No... Its not about accepting or not accepting...
Old man: Then what is it about?
Chow: Its really just about doing my time. To suffer and enjoy when I have to. There is no acceptance or denial.
Old man: You are correct. If you are aware of your acceptance, then you are in denial. True acceptance has no awareness of it. Remember that.
Chow: Thank you.
Old man: Just look at your sentence, as long as there is an "I" then you can never accept anything.
Chow: But sometimes I can, and sometimes I can't. Why is that?
Old man: That is just a illusion of the mind. If you could accept it once, then accept it once and for all. Why do you accept it for a transient period of time and then forget the acceptance?
Chow: ...
Old man: You have never accepted anything to begin with. That is your problem. The illusion that you feel as though you have accepted your fate is all just part of the struggle not to accept your fate. It is very subtle. You have to pay attention.
*thinks for a while...*
Chow: No... Its not about accepting or not accepting...
Old man: Then what is it about?
Chow: Its really just about doing my time. To suffer and enjoy when I have to. There is no acceptance or denial.
Old man: You are correct. If you are aware of your acceptance, then you are in denial. True acceptance has no awareness of it. Remember that.
Chow: Thank you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)