February 2011
Trials
See opportunity in every difficulty.
January 2011
Could have
At any given moment in our lives there are countless numbers of things that can happen but don’t.
Way of the peaceful warrior 7
“There are two simultaneous processes. One is insight - the willing of attention, the channeling of awareness to focus precisely on what you want to see. The other process is surrender - letting go of all arising thoughts. That is real meditation; that is how you cut free of the mind.”
City of Industry
“My open arms embrace darkness.”
Fear
When was the last time you were afraid of something but did it anyway?
Don’t let fear get in your way.
Do what you love
A man can consider himself a success when he wakes up in the morning, goes to bed at night, and in between did exactly what he wanted.
David Belle
“Down there, we know. On the streets, we know. But here? Nobody has been here.”
Needs More William Spencer →
Way of the peaceful warrior 6
“You need to escape. You’re a prisoner of your own illusions - about yourself and about the world. My job is to point out your predicament. If you don’t get what you want, you suffer; if you get what you don’t want, you suffer; even when you get exactly what you want, you still suffer because you can’t hold on to it forever. Your mind is your predicament. It wants to...
Way of the peaceful warrior 5
“The world is people with minds, whirling faster than any wind, in search of distraction and escape from the predicament of change, the dilemma of life and death - seeking purpose, security, enjoyment; trying to make sense of the mystery. Everyone everywhere lives a confused, bitter search. Reality never matches their dreams; happiness is just around the comer - a corner they never turn.
...
Way of the peaceful warrior 4
“I have relieved you of your lifelong illusion of knowledge. From now on, ordinary knowledge is no longer going to satisfy you.”
“I don’t get it.”
“You will,” he said, without smiling.
The next day was full of classes and full of professors babbling words that had no meaning or relevance for me. In History 101, Watson lectured on how...
Way of the peaceful warrior 3
“It is better for you to take responsibility for your life as it is, instead of blaming others, or circumstances, for your predicament. As your eyes open, you’ll see that your state of health, happiness, and every circumstance of your life has been, in large part, arranged by you - consciously or unconsciously.”
Mental translates to physical
“If you think you are beaten, you are; if you think you dare not, you don’t. If you’d like to win, but you think you can’t it’s almost certain you won’t.”
Way of the peaceful warrior 2
“Use whatever knowledge you have but see its limitations. Knowledge alone does not suffice; it has no heart. No amount of knowledge will nourish or sustain your spirit; it can never bring you ultimate happiness or peace. Life requires more than knowledge; it requires intense feeling and constant energy. Life demands right action if knowledge is to come alive.”
Way of the peaceful warrior 1
“Where are you?”
“What do you mean, where am I?”
“Where are you?” he repeated softly.
“‘I’m here.”
“‘Where is here?”
“‘In this office, in this gas station!” I was getting impatient with this game.
“Where is this gas station?’”
“‘In Berkeley.”
“Where is...
10,000 wings
Daylight dims leaving cold fluorescence
Difficult to see you in this light
Look me in the eye
Look me in the eye
Conditioned to be unnatural
People are taught to be concerned with filling their roles in modern society instead of following their natural roles. Men are taught not to run, not to climb, not to explore…all of which are behaviors that should come naturally to us but have recently turned into signs of being uncivilized and criminal. Nowadays people dont know how to run, to climb, to trust their...
Promise yourself
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
Be uncomfortable sometimes
Live with fear without a safety net and feel what it’s like to be alive.
In time
I saw that day, lost my mind. Maybe in time you’ll want to be mine.
Arvo Pärt
I could compare my music to white light which contains all colors. Only a prism can divide the colors and make them appear; this prism could be the spirit of the listener.
Majority does not rule
If I get 50 people to say that you are a submarine, does that mean you really are a submarine? Just because a lot of people say something does not make it true.
Progression - Month 9 →
Greed
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul?
Who wants a beard?
Y’know. All those hip, jazzy, super cool, neat, keen, and groovy cats. It’s in the fridge, daddy-o. Are you hip to the jive? Can you dig what I’m layin’ down? I knew that you could. -Willy Wonka
Reflection 3: relationships
There’s a big difference between wanting someone and needing someone. I think some people rush into relationships because they just want. They want someone to comfort them when they are down, someone to spend fun times with. They rush into a relationship without getting to know the person first…their likes, dislikes, taste in music, etc. I think music is very underrated in the...
Reflection 2: zoo humans
I made a very small post about this a while back but I feel like I should elaborate on this concept a little more. Zoo humans are people who live every day with the same monotonous routine, as if stuck in a zoo, unaware of the world around them. They generally have a desire for wealth and material possessions which is why they are stuck doing jobs they hate to, quite frankly, buy things they...
Reflection 1: fear
Fear is such an interesting feeling. It’s not something you would normally think is a good thing but I think it is. I love being afraid of something. Maybe not at that moment, but afterwards. I look at fear as an opportunity for personal growth. I look at things I’m afraid of every day and say “there’s no way I’m going to try that. It’s way too scary”. A...
Marcus Aurelius
When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love.
The bright side of failure
At least you tried.
Reason
To be able
Stanley Kubrick
The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile but that it is indifferent. If we can come to terms with this indifference and accept the challenges of life within the boundaries of death, our existence can have genuine meaning and fulfillment. However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light.
Fountain of youth
There is a fountain of youth. It is your mind, your talents, and the creativity you bring to your life.
Knowledge
We often learn more by looking for an answer and not finding it than we do from the answer itself.
Blue skies
I think it’s time to leave these thoughts behind.
It's Your Choice →