Miracles
“Miracles do not happen in contradiction of nature, but in contradiction of what we know about nature.”
Saint Augustine of Hippo (Numidian-born Theologian, A.D.354-430)
Still true, seventeen hundred years later.
(Numidia, by the way was in North Africa, and the city of Hippo was in modern day Algeria, not too far along the coast from modern Tunisia and Libya. So next time you are on a quiz show… 🙂
Getting Up When You Fall
“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fall.”
–Confucius (Chinese Philosopher, 551-479 B.C.)
Life Is To Be Enjoyed!
“In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.”
–Gordon Bitner Hinckley (American Theologian, and, from 1995-2008, the 15th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1910-2008)
Knowledge of the Divine
“Knowledge of created beings is one thing, and knowledge of the divine truth is another. The second surpasses the first just as the sun outshines the moon. Knowledge of created beings increases the more we observe the commandments actively; but knowledge of the truth grows the more we hope in Christ.”
–St. Mark the Ascetic {a.k.a. Marcus Eremita, Athenian-born Monk and Desert Father, Fifth Century}
{No Righteousness by Works: “Philokalia Vol. 1”, p. 137, text 144-145}
“The Philokalia Vol 1: 001” (G.E.H. Palmer, Kallistos Timothy Ware, Philip Sherrard)
The Aim of Life?
“The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware.”
–Henry Miller (American Writer, 1891-1980 )
Teaching People How To Treat Us
“People treat us the way we teach them to treat us.”
–Wayne Dyer (American Author and Inspirational Speaker, 1940-)
That’s Funny
“The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds the most discoveries, is not “Eureka!” I found it! but “That’s funny…”
–Isaac Asimov (Russian-born American Biochemist and Writer, 1920-1992)
Posture
I have long been convinced about the importance of developing a good posture. Not simply the way you walk, sit and stand, but the posture that you adopt emotionally, mentally and spiritually. It is something that goes way beyond attitude and is one of the secrets of the person who is really trying to develop him or herself.
I shall have a lot to say about it in the months to come, and it will be a central theme of a forthcoming book.
Here is a little taste from someone whose work I have admired for a great many years:
“Mental posture is critical and crucial, and everyone can at any time alter his or her standpoint.”
–Sri Raghavan Iyer (Indian-born Prodigy, Rhodes Scholar, Academic, Philosopher, Theosophist, and, from 1965-1986, Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Father of Pico Iyer, 1930-1995)
Life Is Meant To Be Lived
“I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived. Curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.”
–Eleanor Roosevelt (American Diplomat, First Lady and Humanitarian, 1884-1962)
Self-Knowledge
“Wanting to reform the world without discovering one’s true Self is like trying to cover the world with leather to avoid the pain of walking on stones and thorns. It is much simpler to wear shoes.”
–Ramana Maharshi (Indian Hindu Mystic and Spiritual Teacher, 1879-1950)
“Talks With Ramana Maharshi: On Realizing Abiding Peace and Happiness” (Ramana Maharshi)
