Full Glass Feelings

Full Glass Feelings by Steven Sedgwick

Copyright 2015

Published by: Kindsolution Press

US PDF Version

First Edition

ISBN-13: 978-0-9932516-3-4

My sincere gratitude to the owners of the copyrighted material reprinted and cited within. Including, but not limited to, the following: New International Version of The Bible translated by Biblica, 1984. Hodder and Stoughton, London. The Tao of Star Wars by John M. Porter, 2003. Humanics Publishing Group, Atlanta, GA. The Tao Te Ching translated by Kari Hohne, 2009. Way of Tao Books, Carnelian Bay, CA. The Tao Te Ching translated by Stephen Mitchell, 1988. HarperCollins, New York. The Desert Fathers translated by Benedicta Ward, 2003. Penguin Books, London. Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis, 1952. HarperCollins, London. To Love is to Know Me: The Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living (Volume 3) by Eknath Easwaran, 1984. The Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, Berkeley, CA. The Tao Te Ching translated by John C. H. Wu, 1961. Shambhala Publications, Boston, MA. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, 1997. Amber-Allen Publishing, San Rafael, CA.

Zen Mind, Beginners Mind by Shunryu Suzuki, 1970. Shambhala Publications, Boston, MA. A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles by Marianne Williamson, 1992. Thorsons, London. How You Do Anything is How You Do Everything by Cheri Huber, 1998. Keep It Simple Books, Chicago, IL. English Standard Version of The Bible translated by Crossway Bibles: Good News Publishers, 2001. HarperCollins, London. Legends of the Samurai translated by Hiroaki Sato, 1995. Duckworth Overlook, London. Dune by Frank Herbert, 1965. Hodder Paperbacks, London. Inspired Utterances of the Buddha & The Buddhas Sayings translated by John D. Ireland, 1997. Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, Sri Lanka. New Living Translation of The Bible translated by Tyndale Charitable Trust, 2004. Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, IL. Microsoft Word 2013 and its associated content used with permission from Microsoft.

Some see things as they are and ask, Why? Others dream and ask, Why not?1

Part 1:

Full Glass Feelings

1

You awake

You are spirit

Afloat in nothingness

The universe automatically lights up for you

A scene of transcendent beauty

Life has just begun

You have just created the world

Everything is new

1

Everything is perfect

You alight upon a clearing

You feel incredible

Invigorated Energized Alive

You are immersed in the present moment

Captivated

The best feeling imaginable

Perpetual bliss

In front of you is a place of residence

Your home

2

The ambiance is inviting

You see a familiar book

You open it and read

3

2

This is paradise

Heaven

A dreamland

Miracles occur constantly

Everything is automatically ideal

Everything desirable spontaneously appears

This is usual Conventional

4

A self renewing Perpetual universe

A magical Supernatural environment

Optimal conditions Unlimited resources

An infinite amount of space

Creation exists to make you happy

Everything is how you want it to be

All is pleasant

All is well

You have everything you want and need

5

Paradise is fixed Permanent

Only happiness is possible

Unhappiness is unfathomable to you

The idea does not register

You have never heard of it

Happiness is all you know

Paradise makes sense

Why wouldnt things be idyllic

God is who you want him to be

God is a divine parent to you

6

God loves you maximally Endlessly

Unconditionally

You are a perfect child of God

You are identical to God

You are God

You are superhuman

This is normal

It is natural

You have a divine nature

Your brilliance is innate

7

Your impeccability is set

Only perfection is possible

Imperfection is incomprehensible to you

The idea does not register

It has never crossed your mind

Perfection is all you know

You are infallible

You always make the right move

Everything is as straightforward as smiling

8

Faultlessness makes sense

Why wouldnt you be perfect

You are loving and kind

You are healthy

Eternally youthful

Immortal Invulnerable

Flawless Pristine

You have eternal life

You will live forever

Only existence is available to you

9

You are all powerful All knowing

Omnipotent Omniscient

You know everything

You can do anything

There are other perfect beings here with you

Friends

They are here because you want them to be here

They make you happy

They act as you would wish them to

Of their own volition

10

Other beings have no judgments of you

They love you

They know you have no judgments of them

They know you love them

You are invisible and inaudible to them

You dont cross their minds

Each being acts in isolation

Each individual is effectively the only one present

You are by yourself

With company

11

The peace of being alone

The love and companionship of being with others

The universe to yourself

No eyes are on you

You are childlike

At leisure

You do what you enjoy

You have just arrived

You are sinless Innocent

A fresh start A clean slate

12

Other beings praise you exclusively

They are your personal admirers

Effusively complimentary

They only have good things to say about you

You are the only one in the limelight

The first and only person to do everything

Anything you do is distinctive

You are one of a kind

Unique

You are confident Assured

Gratified Fulfilled

13

You look how you desire to

You are who you want to be

Sometimes happiness is clear

You and your loved ones are healthy

Sometimes happiness is ambiguous

Happiness is a darkened room

Happiness is a bright azure sky

Both stimulation and the absence of stimulation make you happy

14

You have romance

Your dream Your raison dtre

Whoever you like Custom made for you

Unconditional love Adoration Affection

Love is unity it is beyond opinion or words

You are elated Uplifted

Relaxed At peace

Complete

Life is simple Easy

Life is fun

15

You appreciate each and every moment

You are overjoyed about existence

Jubilant simply to be

16

3

The universe originates from your imagination

You generate it

The world around you is a story you have written

A picture you have drawn

You are the sole architect of existence

The blueprint is your frame of mind

The world is mentally transformable

You continually recreate the world anew

17

You possess the most valuable asset in existence

Control of your thoughts

You are adept at living in the present

Proficient at focusing your mind

You concentrate on the present moment indefinitely

Your concentration is unbreakable

You have all encompassing freedom

You are free to live however

There is no wrong way to live

18

You are at liberty to be happy

Free to live unreservedly without fear or regret

Conduct oneself in any manner without fear of repercussions

You are at liberty to be unhappy

Free to feel fearful and regretful without fear or regret

You are not obligated to live in any particular way

There is no pressure

You know both liberty and happiness by virtue of choosing to live in paradise

19

Faith is your key in the door of paradise

You have faith

You trust life God and the universe

You trust yourself

Faith

Not being afraid as there is literally nothing to fear

You have faith by not being afraid

You arent afraid when you arent thinking about what you dont want to happen

You have faith by not contemplating undesirable situations

20

You habitually keep your mind off unwelcome circumstances

You are happy and unafraid because everything is how you like it

Everything is how you like it because you are happy and unafraid

Your faith is consistent

You know you have what you want

Your wishes are granted instantly

Without you having to ask

You survey your life and it is wonderful

21

This is your world

You live in the world you want to live in

You believe what you desire to be true

Your belief is the most powerful force in existence

The only force in existence

You say a blissful scenario is true and it is so

Reality is what you want it to be

You create a fantasy world for yourself from scratch

The best you could imagine ones existence to be

The best life ever

22

You are as bold as if you were in a simulation

You describe life to one who has no prior impression of it

On the blank canvas you paint the picture

You are in the same position as God

You are God

You are ethereal Otherworldly

Calm Tranquil Serene

You dictate reality

You are in authority 23

The universe is your willing subject

With faith life remains idyllic

With trust everything desirable happens

Only favorable circumstances exist

Life God and the universe love you and wish you to be content

The purpose of life is to please you

You are intended to be happy

Meant to be satisfied

Deserve to have everything you want and need

24

A ball rolls down a hill

A float rises through water

Water flows downstream

Water seeks its own level

Life seeks to make you happy

Life endeavors to provide you with heavenly surroundings

You just let it happen for you

You do the equivalent of nothing

Being happy is effortless

25

Happiness is your destiny

It is unavoidable

You intuitively create paradise

You instinctively remain happy and unafraid

You unconsciously bring about Eden

And enjoy

26

4

You have everything that one could possibly wish for how does that feel?

And, if this is not already the case, how does it feel to know with absolute certainty that this wish will imminently come true?

It is not about your words or thoughts as such but about how one feels. Any words you employ must convey meaning you must believe them.

No words or thoughts are necessary so long as you are happy, relaxed and at peace.

One must be so sure that what they want will come to pass that it is like it is already happening; your hopes and dreams are all but guaranteed.

27

Part 2: A Look at Religion

5

Religion can be seen as standards to aspire to.

Meditation

It is common to spend ones time thinking about what we do and dont want whilst attempting to move towards the former and away from the latter.

This can be an emotional roller-coaster.

Meditation involves temporary detachment from thinking about such things and simply being present.

This is a pleasant experience.

28

Given the dissatisfying nature of unfulfilled desires one could easily assume mental disengagement to be the only true source of happiness.

However, then a universe of things to become attached to would be unnecessary, as would the faculty for appreciating beauty, attractiveness etcetera.

A mind equipped solely for existential awareness would suffice.

Sleeping is also agreeable but would you want to sleep forever?

Things are not always black and white.

29

Everyone can appreciate periodic disconnection from inspiring or uplifting thoughts in concordance with their occurrence rather than in conflict with it.

Unjustifiably expecting irreversible fundamental personality differences: practicing self-acceptance.

One might conclude that, in life, they need to permanently change.

To no longer be interested in earthly desires.

To never exhibit anger and so on.

To some degree you will always be the same person.

To a certain extent one doesnt change.

30

Demanding inherent change is unfeasible and will only ever cause harm.

Just because one has not spoken for a hundred years does not mean that today they will not speak.

So long as you have the comprehension and ability to perform a specific action then there is always a chance you will do so.

You have control over your behavior but all paths will always be open to you.

It is a control which is continuously live; it has to be continually recommenced.

You are never preprogramed to function in a particular way.

31

One cannot guarantee their actions as we cannot preselect our decisions; we always have absolute free will.

Equally, the reverse also holds true.

One is not necessarily bound to repeat their mistakes.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future events.

32

6

Love

Loving other beings

Loving (and acknowledging) God

Ironically love is often considered a rule of law with consequences for those in violation, rather than a recommended option.

A distant relief or reprieve is generally factored in to relieve the burden of this moral obligation. That one day you wont have to do this anymore.

But how could this be? 33

Either you would no longer be judged, the pertinent question being: Then, why not now?

Or you would be remade so as to be incapable of ungodly decisions.

If that were the case then why were you created differently in the first instance?

Is a good person completely good?

Is a bad person completely bad?

It is relative and subjective.

What of a primarily good person with a single misdeed?

34

Or a predominantly bad person who once showed kindness?

When dealing with quality control what one is looking for is no imperfections; whether just a tiny crack or a massive split the product is still lacking integrity.

Merely pondering the concept of contempt is a transgression.

Earning or gaining Gods approval through works is effectively impossible.

None of us are one hundred percent pure.

This doesnt mean to say that its gone already so one shouldnt care about how they behave.

35

Rather that one should relax about and not attempt to win Gods favor as it is unattainable and unnecessary.

God loves you unconditionally and regardless.

He gives you his blessing as a matter of course.

The only way to make a watertight sinless world would be to make us incapable of even contemplating sin.

Thus it is implausible and unreasonable to be required to guarantee a set of actions which we cannot commit to.

The only fair and humane thing to do is to have all sins automatically absolved.

36

7

In lieu of moral faultlessness believing in God can become a stand in for a faultless record, frequently accompanied by remorsefulness for ones ill deeds.

Believing in God becomes not so much akin to loving God but little more than a protective mantra with minimal consideration as to what is behind it.

This is superstition: an irrational act based on fear.

The only power it has comes from ones imagination conjuring up images of an angry and vengeful deity wanting rid of us.

37

By giving into concerns that we have to perform a symbolic gesture, fear is simply triumphing over sense and reason.

There is no divine involvement in this.

In addition, not acknowledging God would still come under the same category as not loving your neighbor.

Just doubting God or his love for you momentarily is a lapse.

We would remain under pressure to never be in error even though we are aware of mistakes and our own potential to make them.

38

What if one has believed for eighty years then stops believing?

Or doesnt believe for eighty years then does so for an hour?

A fortiori, why would flawlessly venerating God be singled out as something we have to defy logic in managing to do?

Furthermore, what is believing really worth? Why should it meet with tie-breaking approval?

Would a mostly charitable and altruistic individual get ignored because they didnt worship, yet a largely cruel and self-centered individual be safe because they did?

39

Evil is that which causes harm.

Being forced to live in a specific way to remain in Gods favor is an evil thing as it gives rise to unrelenting, irremediable fear.

Believing as a requirement for safekeeping is not a welcome scenario.

It accepts that God is displeased with you and would ordinarily want rid of you that you and others are in divine peril.

(Otherwise why would we have to take action?)

This is debilitating, enervating and distressing.

40

Anything that one does by way of expiation, conciliation or propitiation feels grossly inadequate and unnoticed.

Surmising that one is under pressure to believe is not having faith, trusting or loving God, but fearing him.

One is invoking protection against an unsympathetic and heartless deity.

Trusting God is knowing he wouldnt do away with you under any circumstances.

Would a perfect, loving God be so vague?

41

If we were beholden or indebted to God it would be very clearly and obviously made known to us without fail.

The situation would be personally perspicuously expounded by God himself.

It would be written indelibly across the sky rather than left like an esoteric enigma or a loophole in an arcane contract.

Will bad people and unbelievers be removed from existence?

If so, why delay? Why arent they all cast aside instantaneously?

42

Will you be redesigned and alternatively formed in the future?

If so, why not now? And why were you ever produced incorrectly to begin with?

If not, and you are capable of wrong doing in an afterlife scenario, will you have to perpetually keep believing?

Stay committed to being a good person?

Remain forever held accountable?

Continually feel remorseful?

Or else?

43

8

If one were to play devils advocate and argue the case for moral obligations towards God they might say it was a finite test.

A fair test means only one variable (the individual); all other conditions are kept the same.

In life each creature experiences all sorts of other variables.

How would you determine the extent to which ones surroundings had influenced their actions?

Would judgment be uniform for each being or vary on a case by case basis?

44

What if someone told you they were testing you and that if you failed they would erase you from existence?

Would you regard the examiner as a benevolent soul?

Or would you consider the examiner a sadist?

And, given that the idea of expunging you was already on their mind, expect them to endeavor to carry it out regardless?

45

9

Whether good or bad, a believer or a non-believer, to a perfect being we would all appear much the same.

There is nothing one can do to extricate themselves from the line of fire; it is all a matter of the judge voluntarily desiring our presence in spite of our imperfections.

If God didnt love us any beseeching or redeeming act on our part would be in vain.

A perfect Supreme Being wouldnt trouble himself with creating a world whose inhabitants he didnt cherish as they werent as he wished them to be.

46

If God didnt love us, we wouldnt be here altogether; he wouldnt have breathed life into us in the first place.

We are both here and bestowed with free will.

Understand the irony, hypocrisy and circular situation that would be God not loving us because of our lack of love.

By extending the same coldness and indifference discussed herein, God would be giving the impression he was impeccable in that regard whilst behaving in a manner not dissimilar to the original offender.

It would also be a potentially self-fulfilling and self-perpetuating state of affairs: God not loving us because we dont love him because he doesnt love us ad infinitum.

47

The world would descend into farce, an absurdity.

Nobody would last five minutes before they were being removed for a wayward, mutinous or exasperated mood born of a futile effort to love in earnest, without exception.

Then, ultimately, for the sake of equality, God would have to delete himself from the sorry disarray for his own lack of compassion.

A compassionate Deity will never require any response from you in order to justify his love.

There is no sin; how you are intended to live is however you choose to. That is your antinomian obedience.

48

10

Karma

Those who behave commendably can often feel more deserving.

This can be a useful tool, however it can also become a double-edged sword; one must remember that any cause and effect is purely self-mediated.

Incidentally, the one exception to this is the direct feedback that emanates from other beings.

49

For example, ones surrounding environment may be improved and resources better maintained by being conscientious of others.

Plus, other beings can literally return favors.

However let us say, for the sake of argument, that our morality did have an undeniable bearing on our luck or fate.

Firstly, in order for one to be able to carry out acts of kindness there has to be other beings that are lacking something.

50

This means either God or ourselves would have knowingly or unknowingly organized a substandard world in order to provide us with sufficient opportunities to come to the aid of those in need.

Secondly, the idea alone would take on a rogue quality, operating remotely outside of the overseers original intent.

Our minds would jump the gun anticipating judgments, resulting in punishments and rewards of our own making.

In respect to this, many people would be overcritical of themselves, culminating in numerous, unfair, self-imposed penalties.

51

Additionally, people could deem themselves to be responsible for something they had nothing to do with.

Or lament their perceived philanthropic shortfall.

Problems would also stem from our tendency to view the world and ourselves through the eyes of our emotions.

One who is depressed could potentially erroneously class themselves as being unworthy of good fortune.

Alternatively, an evil doer may egregiously label themselves as deserving by misrepresenting their actions as being for the greater good.

52

There is no divinely established universal law of karma or moral causation.

The main reason for this, as with salvation by works, is that these concepts burden people with undue stress, leading them to flounder even more.

Jesus replied, And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.2

They would therefore never be championed or put into practice by a perfect, loving Supreme Being.

53

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.3

And if the world is not governed by such a Deity then there is no need to bother as you are never going to get anything much out of life anyway.

I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.4

54

11

Your undying light

You and the universe exist and have existed; you are here.

The how and why of it is inconsequential.

That it has happened means that it is possible.

You existing can happen and, given enough time, something that can happen will do so again and again.

You are eternal.

55

Part 3: Unconscious Guidance

and Effortless Action

12

All these words are optional and superfluous.

The best discourse on this topic would be entirely blank.

Reading about it is like talking about the art of being silent.

By focusing on memorizing and consciously applying words on this topic one is unwittingly achieving the opposite of they are encouraging them to do.

56

You could read every word written on the subject and know nothing of it. Conversely, you could have read nothing and know it all.

No matter how eloquent or elucidatory the words their message is always inversely as basic: here is the door walk through it.

Walking through the door is the metaphor for practicing meditation.

Practicing meditation is the only thing that counts.

No amount of words can do that, only the absence of them.

57

It is not about the words therein but the lack of them.

Paradoxically, the more forgettable they are the better.

Using intellectual understanding to find your true nature is like expecting a hungry man to satisfy his hunger with a picture of a banana. Zen teaching is not like this. Zen teaching says, Heres a banana. Now eat.5

A noted philosopher goes to a Zen master for a teaching. After talking for a while the Zen master asks the philosopher if he would like tea and begins pouring. Soon the cup is filled and the tea begins to overflow onto the table and the floor. What are you doing? exclaims the philosopher in alarm.

58

You are like this cup, says the Zen master, You come to learn and yet you are completely full of ideas and beliefs. There is no room for anything more in your cup.6

You can mold clay into a vessel; yet, it is its emptiness that makes it useful.7

Additionally, you neednt consciously memorize writings because you know them all already: you wrote them.

I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.8

59

13

Meditation is the state of mind that accompanies experiencing the present moment to the fullest extent.

It is characterized by reduced or absent conscious thought.

It is the art of forgetting on command.

It is like you have just arrived and have never experienced emotion; you know nothing of anything.

60

You are thinking about nothing as nothing requires your attention; you are almost blank.

Meditation or mindfulness is not about what you are doing but what you are not doing; less is more.

You are not doing anything in a typical sense, you are not even thinking.

You cant try and not think about something thinking about stopping thinking is another thought.

Instead, you must return to feeling the same way as you did before the thought entered your head.

61

It is like waiting for muddy waters to settle and become clear. You cant force the particles in suspension to the bottom, you just let them move there of their own accord.9

You are not accomplishing a goal by meditating, instead you just are.

It is like one is not attempting to meditate, but just doing so inadvertently.

One is just letting time pass, as one who has all the time in the world and not a care in the world.

62

14

Conscious mind superficial thoughts or feelings that you are transmitting: your thoughts expressed in the form of images or words.

The conscious mind is you, right now: your internal dialog. You are completely in control of it and completely aware of it.

Unconscious mind deeper derived thoughts or feelings that you may or may not be receiving: thoughts not from you, in a traditional sense, but from the part of you in common with God.

You are not in control of your unconscious mind or necessarily even aware of it it may as well be a separate entity to you (and it partially is).

63

When one disengages the conscious mind it allows the unconscious mind to come to the surface.

One who is unfamiliar with meditation: hyperconscious.

One who is skilled in meditation: predominantly unconscious.

You are the predominantly unconscious person.

Meditation is your natural waking state.

You are a theosophical, quiescent person who can think as opposed to a thinking person who can meditate.

64

Predominantly Unconscious

Counterintuitive

Believes in inherent perfection

Guided by Providence

Living for the present

Detached, undesiring, has let go

Unafraid

Humble, childlike

Loving, understanding, forgiving

65

You are counterintuitive.

Counterintuitive could both describe the path to the way and the methods it prescribes.

Another label for this could be counter-impulsive / counter-compulsive.

It is seeing what your immediate first urge, inclination or tendency to do is then ignoring it.

What seems, at a glance, to be the obvious course of action actually proves to be inferior.

You subvert or circumvent your immediate first reaction and, instead, allow your deeper wisdom / intuition to come to the fore.

66

You are inherently perfect.

Our essential, deepest underlying nature is definitive, lacking nothing, complete.

Our unconscious state is infinitely powerful, masterly and magnificent; you are designedly well-equipped.

The hyperconscious person adds layers; the predominantly unconscious person strips them away, uncovering the innate perfection that was already there.

The hyperconscious person seeks to learn as much as possible; the primarily unconscious being simply revises / revisits what they already know.

67

You are guided by Providence.

Ones first inclination can be to continually think about what they want and plan how to get it: to steer the ship or pilot the plane.

The counterintuitive way is to not think about the things you want or how to get them.

The mostly unconscious person will maintain a quiet, clear and empty mind, making way for the unconscious mind to operate unimpeded.

One is employing the unconscious mind instead of taking on the job themselves leaving the strategy / plan of action to God.

68

It is like someone else God, with your blessing, has taken you over; God is controlling your actions.

You are not consciously involved in making the decisions or performing the actions it all takes place instinctively, intuitively, automatically, tacitly, by itself.

One doesnt think about what to do, or how to do it they just do it, effortlessly, without thought, without conscious involvement.

This is action without action, doing something without doing it.

It is effortless action.

69

It is like putting on a blindfold and allowing yourself to be blindly guided by someone elses instructions.

You are existing in a trance like state; you are in the passengers seat and God is at the helm.

You have partially and temporarily forgotten what you are doing and why.

It is like you are literally not there; you are in the zone.

It is like you have left your body, left your mind watching yourself doing things rather than an active participant.

Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.10

70

You live in and for the present.

You enjoy each and every moment.

You are patient and equanimous, calmly centered in the moment at hand.

You are living for the state of mind you are in right now the natural, healthy ecstasy and transcendence of the present moment.

The undiluted present has a simple pleasure to it; it is an uncomplicated wonder.

71

You are detached, free from desire; you have let go.

If you can dream, but not make dreams your master;

If you can think, but not make thoughts your aim;11

One affects detachment by not thinking about the things they want their desires.

Whether you dont find it funny or you dont hear the joke the result is still the same: you dont laugh. There is no difference.

72

Not thinking about the things you want engenders the same response as being genuinely disinterested in them.

By temporarily not thinking about your wishes, you are emulating indifference.

It is as if what you want briefly doesnt exist, and hypothetically never has.

You have your desires without reflecting upon that fact.

Let go of having anything and you shall receive everything.

73

You are fearless.

You act with the confidence of one who knows only unilateral, unmitigated, unbroken success.

One may feel that they have to consciously and continually hold everything together to keep the wheels from coming off.

Being without fear can feel negligent and naive like you are letting your guard down and thus stand to lose everything.

The world brought you and your loved ones to life without your conscious involvement and force of will; it will keep you in eternal life in the same way.

74

You are humble, childlike.

Your strength is in your humility.

Paradoxically, by being the least you can be you are being the most you can be.

You are great and powerful without reflecting upon your greatness and power.

A hyperconscious person may feel like they know everything.

You know that the only wisdom is to know nothing.

The lesser, superficial you knows nothing.

The higher, deeper self knows everything.

75

You are loving, understanding, forgiving.

Forgiveness is an act of kindness to yourself and those whom you love.

It is for your own benefit, not the benefit of your antagonist(s).

Forgiveness is the antidote to their poison, your reciprocal hatred of them: its catalyst.

One neednt be concerned with actively implementing or adopting any of these traits.

They materialize spontaneously in one who has quieted their mind.

Our unconscious state is intrinsically predisposed towards godliness and divinity.

76

15

Life has an inherent dichotomy or duality.

The two opposite poles cause one another to appear: one cannot exist without the other.

They are complementary pairs; together they are greater than the sum of their parts.

It is never just a case of all one way of living: there is no black and white, right and wrong way to live.

77

You both want and need to think consciously to desire, to be entertained, to feel self-confident / self-assured and so on.

Self-confidence / self-assuredness, entertainment etcetera it is not that these desiderata are bad, per se, just that they are conscious stimuli and disconnect one from the unconscious mind.

It is like desire, self-confidence and entertainment are your friends, but an empty mind is your best friend and you can only accommodate it on its own.

There is a time and a place for everything, you know when that time is and you know when it is not.

78

Sometimes you will want to utilize the conscious mind; other times you will prefer it to be vacant.

It is a case of utilizing the conscious mind in moderation sporadically as opposed to constantly.

Fear also, to a lesser degree, can be of some value.

A trace amount of fear, where appropriate, can keep you safe.

Unnecessary danger, where avoidable, should be avoided.

This is an instinctive momentary suggestion of fear as opposed to the misleading, irrational fear associated with anxiety and rumination.

79

The concepts of lack and loss, paradoxically, can be revitalizing, energizing and invigorating.

In seeing what it would be like to lose something one can be filled with a renewed appreciation of what they have.

Only in somethings absence can one fully appreciate its presence.

One faced with demise, decline or disappointment can be spurred into action, where they otherwise may have lacked the courage.

The fate one previously feared suddenly becomes the lesser of two evils.

80

In this way, events which one might initially deem unfortunate can occasionally be of service.

We have all experienced difficult times which, although originally ascribed to bad luck, in the long run were actually blessings in disguise.

One should make allowances for the ambiguity surrounding existence and not be too quick to despair.

If you can meet with triumph and disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;12

81

Take a fatalistic approach to hardship in the short term, accepting it and regarding it as inevitable whilst keeping an open mind as to any meaning or latent significance behind it.

The path to what we want may require to meander.

Any troubling conditions are transient, impermanent and fleeting.

Before long bliss duly returns and adversity washes away as if it had never occurred.

A poor farmers horse ran off into the country of the barbarians. All his neighbors offered their condolences, but the man said, How do you know that this isnt good fortune? After a few months

82

the horse returned with a barbarian horse of excellent stock. All his neighbors offered their congratulations, but the man said, How do you know that this isnt a disaster? The two horses bred and the family became rich in fine horses. The farmers son spent much of his time riding them; one day he fell off and broke his hipbone. All his neighbors offered the farmer their condolences, but the father said, How do you know that this isnt good fortune? Another year passed and the barbarians invaded the frontier. All the able-bodied young men were conscripted, and nine-tenths of them died in the war.13

The rest is silence...14

83

Part 4:

The Message

16

You dont need to read anything or write anything down.

You already know everything.

The less words the better.

All you require is an empty mind.

All that changes is that you become receptive.

Go, sit in your cell and your cell will teach you everything.15

84

I have sold even the gospel that instructed me to sell everything.16

One must, so to speak, throw away the ladder after they have climbed up on it.17

85

17

I believe in God. I also believe that the person known as Jesus Christ was that God come to earth as man.

This is not a principle I subscribe to under any duress; it is a tenet I accept in the same way that I accept the earth is round.

These most fundamental of convictions are agreed upon unconsciously; they are out of our control.

One professing to believe that the sky was green and the trees were blue would find it impossible.

86

They may outwardly express the falsehood, but the inward landscape of belief remains unchanged.

One is or becomes involuntarily unable to see things any other way.

It is important to understand that this inward belief is required of us and to understand why.

Heaven wouldnt be heaven otherwise.

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God God lives in him and he in God.18

87

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.19

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.20

It is not about the specific worship, exaltation or promotion of the individual, but the recognition of the paragon that he both epitomizes and represents.

Agreeing that one who does nothing but love reigns supreme is synonymous with desiring or preferring a loving mentality.

88

Many people associate Christianity with the sentiment of loving those who may hate you.

However the acid test of who might be called a Christian is whether one would seek to inexplicably hurt those who love them or at least have nothing against them.

Using this interpretation, everyone who, given no cause for consternation, would happily live in peace could be called Christians.

Thus repentance means seeing things differently after a change of heart. (Not chastising oneself about ones past mistakes.)

89

18

What is truth?

Love

Humility

Faith that is fearlessness

Why would God hold anything but love in his heart?

Why would God need to prove anything to anyone?

Why would God be afraid of anything?

90

The Bible, rather than being a rule book or else for Gods benefit, is like an instruction book for our benefit, both now and forevermore.

It is not a case of heaven is a reward for those who have pleased God.

God doesnt judge us, he just loves us. He isnt ever pleased or displeased with us.

Living like Christ is its own reward.

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.21

There are two ways you can influence change in a person or being:

91

Give them punishments and rewards.

Leave them be and let them learn for themselves which is the better way.

I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide them with an environment in which to learn.22

One who has experienced how advantageous being like Christ is doesnt want to go back.

You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.23

92

God does not want sycophantic followers who love him and act the way he wishes them to only out of fear.

God wants children who love because they want to love and act like Christ because that is how they, themselves, wish to be.

The meaning of the crucifixion

Why was Christ crucified?

We crucified Christ; if it were not for the evil in the world this would not have happened.

The suffering comes entirely from us however that doesnt stop God using it for good.

93

What good did the crucifixion do?

Christ beat death he rose again.

This demonstrates how there is nothing to fear, even in death.

Secondly, it displayed the utmost empathy and solidarity showing that God is not oblivious or indifferent to any ordeals one may encounter, but endures them along with us.

If we suffer God suffers.

Thirdly, in addition to Christs healings and miracles, the crucifixion reaffirmed and reinforced Gods unwavering non-judgmental stance apropos us.

94

Fourthly, it proved that stoically maintaining a composed and compassionate mind-set is a realistic proposition.

Finally, humiliation.

He saved others but he cant save himself.24

This was especially humiliating given that this was the world that Christ had himself created.

This is what the cross partially stands for voluntary forgoing ones self.

What it is not, in my opinion, is a ransom payment.

As if one part of God hates us and wants rid of us but another part of God wants to save us.

95

If God makes the rules, why not just let people off? Why would he need to punish his own son instead? Why not just say, The punishment is canceled. Just change the rules.

The idea of the crucifixion as payment for our sins is as if God was raging mad and needed to punish something.

Thinking like that means the crucifixion could have taken place behind closed doors, in private, which is absurd.

It is even more absurd when you think of it as Christ being the same God who is both doing the punishing and taking the punishment.

96

19

The defining characteristic of a person is purely ones willingness to step outside of their comfort zone.

The right way can often initially feel like it is the wrong way, and vice versa.

An addict has to go through the withdrawal symptoms to break free from the dependency.

I have never obeyed my own will.25

The trouble is, following our own will is not always in our best interests.

97

Our will can be impulsive, impatient and seek solely to keep us away from pain and suffering in the short term.

Deferred, delayed gratification

Disciplining oneself to resist temptation and decline gratification in the short term in order to enjoy greater rewards in the long term.

Enlightened self-interest

Whoever helps others also helps themselves.

One man gives freely yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty.26

98

20

Love

Your enemies are not your enemies: they are your friends who have taken momentary leave of their senses.

They are not themselves their minds are addled by pride and fear.

Forgive them Father, for they do not know what they are doing.27

99

Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive. It is not that people think this too high and difficult a virtue: it is that they think it hateful and contemptible.28

Forgiving one who hurt another seems akin to not caring about the being that was hurt.

However, it is the only way to break the cycle of hatred and retaliation. With love, the perpetrator will, in time, realize the error of their ways. Repaying hate for hate will only serve to justify their evil deeds.

100

Throw away morality and justice,

And people will do the right thing.29

I let go of the law,

And people become honest.30

Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself.31

101

21

Humility

Humility is not the presence of criticism but the absence of praise.

Once some brothers came to visit Antony, and Joseph was with them. Antony, wanting to test them, began to speak about Holy Scripture. He first asked the younger monks the meaning of text after text and each of them answered as well as he could. To each he said, You have not yet found the right answer. Then he said to Joseph, What do you think is the meaning of this word? He replied, I dont know. Antony said, Indeed Joseph alone has found the true way, for he said he did not know.32

102

Macarius once told this story about himself: It happened that a girl of the village was tempted and seduced. When she was seen to be pregnant, she was asked who was the father of the child and she said, It was this hermit who slept with me. They came out, arrested me, and brought me back to the village; they hung dirty pots and jug handles on my neck, and made me walk around the village, beating me as I went, saying, This monk has seduced our girl. Away with him, away with him. They beat me until I was almost dead but another hermit came and said, How long have you been beating that stranger monk? The man who used to minister to my needs followed behind, much ashamed, and they heaped insults on him, saying, You supported this hermit, and look what he has done. The parents of the girl said that they would not let me go unless I found someone to guarantee her support. I spoke to the man who used to minister

103

to me and asked him to be my guarantor, and he gave me a pledge on my behalf. I went back to my cell and gave him all the baskets I had, and said, Sell them, and give my wife some food. Then I said to myself, Macarius, since you have found a wife for yourself, you need to work much harder to support her. So I worked night and day and passed on to her the money that I made. When it was time for the unfortunate girl to bear a child, she spent many days in labor, and still did not produce the baby. They said to her, Whats the matter? She said, I know why I am in agony so long. Her parents asked her why. She said, I accused that hermit falsely, for he had nothing to do with it; the father is a young man named so-and-so. The man who ministered to me heard this and came to me with joy saying, The girl could not bear her child, until she confessed that you had nothing to do with it and she had told lies about you. Look, all the

104

villagers want to come to your cell and glorify God, and ask your pardon. When I heard this, I did not want them to trouble me, so I rose and fled here to Scetis. That is why I began to live here.33

It is tempting to focus on what other people think of us and to modify ones behavior.

But the truth is acting how you genuinely wish to, as if you were alone the only being on the planet, and not to be interested in or afraid of what other people think of you.

Care about peoples approval and you will be their prisoner.34

I do not accept praise from men.35

105

For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.36

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked.37

When all the world recognizes good as good this in itself is evil.38

Why do you call me good? Jesus answered. No-one is good except God alone.39

It is easier to think of God as simply Christ Jesus with the Father and the Holy Spirit acting purely on his behalf. Sort of God needs a God. This enables Christ to attribute his works to others rather than praising himself.

106

Whatever happens around you dont take it personally.

Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves.

I know that when you are happy you will tell me, Miguel, you are such an angel! But when you are mad you will say, Oh, Miguel, you are such a devil! Either way, it does not affect me because I know what I am. I dont have the need to be accepted.40

Ironically, being in a place that is conscious of how one is perceived renders you invisible. You may be thinking that everyone is looking at you whilst, in reality, everyone else is thinking you are looking at them.

107

Once Macarius directed a young seeker to go to a cemetery and upbraid the dead. Then to go and flatter them. What answer did the dead give you? he asked. None at all, said the youth. Then go and learn never to let abuse or flattery move you. If you die to the world and yourself you will begin to live for Christ.41

Wishing to be seen as a hero requires someone or something else to be the villain.

What is a good man but a bad mans teacher? What is a bad man but a good mans job?42

Seeking other peoples approval is the bottleneck, the limiting factor, in everything one does.

108

Desiring praise and attention requires an insurmountable task on which to attain it aka a struggle.

Have no need of praise and you will have no need of strife.

I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children.43

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.44

In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, but in the experts mind there are few.45

109

I dont want a challenge to overcome,

Dont need to prove myself to anyone.

I just wish to live and love,

And sit and watch the stars above.

Happiness is simply being and being with those whom you love.

Live purely for love and the sensation of being alive.

110

22

Fearlessness faith

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.46

It takes a tremendous act of courage to admit to yourself that you are not defective in any way whatsoever.47

Death is not the greatest fear we have; our greatest fear is taking the risk to be alive and express what we truly are. Just being ourselves is the biggest fear of humans.48

111

Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.49

Ones fears exist chiefly as self-fulfilling prophecies, fueled through surrendering to a misleading and self-destructive propensity to worry.

For the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me.50

There is no greater illusion than fear,

No greater wrong than preparing to defend yourself,

No greater misfortune than having an enemy. Whoever can see through all fear will always be safe.51

112

There was once a man who may be called the generalissimo of robbers and who went by the name of Hakamadare. He had a strong mind and a powerful build. He was swift of foot, quick with his hands, and wise in thinking and plotting. Altogether there was no one who could compare with him. His business was to rob people of their possessions when they were off guard.

Once, around the tenth month of the year, he needed clothing and decided to get hold of some. He went to prospective spots and walked about, looking. About midnight when people had gone to sleep and were quiet, under a somewhat blurry moon, he saw a man dressed in abundant clothes sauntering about on a boulevard. The man, with his trouser-skirt tucked up with string perhaps and in a formal hunting robe which gently covered his body, was playing the flute, alone, apparently in no hurry

113

to go to any particular place. Wow, heres a fellow whos just shown up to give me his clothes, Hakamadare thought. Normally he would have gleefully run up, beaten his quarry down and robbed him of his clothes. But this time, unaccountably, he felt something fearsome about the man, so he followed him for a couple of hundred yards. The man himself didnt seem to think somebodys following me. On the contrary, he continued to play the flute with what appeared to be greater calm. Give him a try, Hakamadare said to himself, and ran up close to the man, making as much clatter as he could with his feet. The man, however, looked not the least disturbed. He simply turned to look, still playing the flute. It wasnt possible to jump on him. Hakamadare ran off.

Hakamadare tried similar approaches a number of times, but the man remained utterly unperturbed.

114

Hakamadare realized he was dealing with an unusual fellow. When they had covered about a thousand yards, though, Hakamadare decided he couldnt continue like this, drew his sword, and ran up to him. This time the man stopped playing the flute and, turning, said, What in the world are you doing? Hakamadare couldnt have been struck with greater fear even if a demon or a god had run up to attack him when he was walking alone. For some unaccountable reason he lost both heart and courage. Overcome with deathly fear and despite himself, he fell on his knees and hands. What are you doing? the man repeated. Hakamadare felt he couldnt escape even if he tried. Im trying to rob you, he blurted out. My name is Hakamadare. Ive heard theres a man about with that name, yes. A dangerous, unusual fellow, Im told, the man said. Then he simply said to Hakamadare, Come with me, and continued on his way, playing the

115

flute again. Terrified that he was dealing with no ordinary human being, and as if possessed by a demon or a god, Hakamadare followed the man, completely mystified. Eventually the man walked into a gate behind which was a large house. He stepped inside from the verandah after removing his shoes. While Hakamadare was thinking (he must be the master of the house), the man came back and summoned him. As he gave him a robe made of thick cotton cloth, he said, If you need something like this in the future, just come and tell me. If you jump on somebody who doesnt know your intentions, you may get hurt.52

Fear is the mind-killer, the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear; I will permit it to pass over me and through me. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.53

116

23

St Columban once said to him in his youth, Deicolus, why are you always smiling? He answered in simplicity, Because no one can take God away from me.54

What we desire first and foremost is communion with God.

Pray without ceasing.55

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.56

117

Bask in the salubrious glow of your fellowship with Christ, as if God were physically present and the two of you were alone together throughout the cosmos.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.57

Not dwelling on the planet or its other inhabitants can resemble dying before you actually die in some ways loved ones become lost to you.

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.58

This is undeniably challenging, but be encouraged as the demanding nature of the travail will prove empowering.

The best things are the most difficult.59 118

If you want to become whole,

let yourself be partial.

If you want to become full,

let yourself be empty.

If you want to be reborn,

let yourself die.

If you want to be given everything,

give everything up.60

The path into the light seems dark,

The path forward seems to go back,

The direct path seems long,

True power seems weak.61

119

I drift about,

Like someone without a home.

I am like an idiot, my mind is so empty.62

You are God; God is everything; you are everything.

You are everything and nothing, everywhere and nowhere.

To study the Way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by all things of the universe.63

120

24

There is no one correct way of seeing or doing things.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.64

It is fine to have a multifaceted personality with seemingly opposite, conflicting or contrasting aims which on the face of it cannot co-occur.

Allow the dual aspects of your character to operate in tandem rather than suffering a continual crisis of conscience and a never ending battle over which side of the antinomy is right and which is wrong.

121

Instead, think of ones life choices as ok, better and best.

With some things it is a case of the less of it you have in your life the better.

What benefit did you reap at that time from the things that you are now ashamed of?65

Let us go back to the desert, my brother. Look I imagine that I have already sinned with a woman and what have I got out of it? So they returned to their cell unharmed.66

The pain of being, for lack of a better word, a sinner is the repeated realization that you dont want that which you felt sure you did.

122

With other things it is a case of just requiring temporary breaks from them.

Not that these things are bad, in themselves, just that you stand to gain by abstaining from them or, more accurately, from the thought of them.

Those who have fifty dear ones have fifty woes; those who have no dear ones have no woes.67

If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters yes, even his own life he cannot be my disciple.68

123

The greatest love seems indifferent.69

He cares about nothing but the Tao.

Thus he can care for all things.70

Everything is permissible for me but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me but I will not be mastered by anything.71

For people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.72

124

25

A young man came to Socrates seeking wisdom. Socrates led the young man to the sea and out, chest-deep, into the water. Taking him by the shoulders, Socrates plunged the young man underneath the surface. Soon enough he began to struggle and Socrates let him up.

When you were underwater what did you demand and insist upon having, more than anything? asked Socrates.

I wanted air, replied the young man.

When you yearn for insight as intensely as you desire to draw breath then you shall have it.73

125

When a man is fighting mad,

Something drops from eyes long blind,

He completes his partial mind.74

Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.75

I bargained with Life for a penny,

And Life would pay no more,

However I begged at evening

When I counted my scanty store.

For Life is just an employer,

He gives you what you ask, 126

But once you have set the wages,

Why, you must bear the task.

I worked for a menials hire,

Only to learn, dismayed,

That any wage I had asked of life,

Life would have willingly paid.76

Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.77

Be not the slave of words.78

It is never too late to be what you might have been.79

127

References 1. Bernard Shaw, G. (1922), Back to Methuselah, London: Penguin Books, 1987, p. 67. 2. Luke 11:46, Biblica (1984), New International Version of The Bible (hereafter NIV), London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1999. 3. Matthew 11:29-30, NIV. 4. Churchill, W. (1954), [Speech at the Lord Mayors banquet, London]. 9 November. 5. Seung Sahn, in Karp, J. (2010), Straight Down the Middle, San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2010, p. 173. 6. Nan-in, in Porter, J. M. (2003), The Tao of Star Wars (hereafter Star), Atlanta, GA: Humanics Publishing Group, 2003, p. 26. 7. Tzu, L., Tao Te Ching, Translated by Kari Hohne, Carnelian Bay, CA: Way of Tao Books, 2009, p. 2. 8. Hebrews 10:16, NIV. 9. Tzu, L., Tao Te Ching (hereafter Tao), Translated by Stephen Mitchell (1988), New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1988, Chapter 15.

10. Mark 10:27, NIV. 11. Kipling, R. (1910), If, in Gillooly, E. (2000) (ed.), Poetry for Young People: Rudyard Kipling (hereafter Poetry), New York: Sterling Publishing, 2000, p. 21. 12. Kipling, R. (1910), If, in Poetry, p. 21. 13. The Huai Nan Tzu, in Star, pp. 94-95. 14. Shakespeare, W., Hamlet, Edited by Craig, W. J. (1943), London: Oxford University Press, V. 2: 372. 15. Moses, in Ward, B. (2003) (ed.), The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks (hereafter Sayings), London: Penguin Books, 2003, p. x. 16. Sayings, p. 54. 17. Wittgenstein, L. (1922), Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, in Nordmann, A. (2005), Wittgensteins Tractatus: An Introduction, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005, 6.54, p. 156. 18. 1 John 4:15, NIV. 19. 1 John 4:16, NIV. 20. 1 John 4:7, NIV.

21. Mark 2:27, NIV. 22. Einstein, A., in Innes, J. (2012), Ultimate New Job, London: Kogan Page Limited, 2012, p. 55. 23. Easwaran, E. (1984), To Love is to Know Me: The Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living (Volume 3), Berkeley, CA: The Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, 2002, p. 43. 24. Mark 15:31, NIV. 25. John, in Sayings, p. 5. 26. Proverbs 11:24, NIV. 27. Luke 23:34, NIV. 28. Lewis, C. S. (1952), Mere Christianity, London: HarperCollins Publishers, 2012, p 115. 29. Tao, Chap. 19. 30. Tao, Chap. 57. 31. Tao, Chap. 60. 32. Antony, in Sayings, p. 148. 33. Macarius, in Sayings, pp. 155-156. 34. Tao, Chap. 9.

35. John 5:41, NIV. 36. Genesis 3:5, NIV. 37. Genesis 3:7, NIV. 38. Tzu, L., Tao Te Ching, Translated by John C. H. Wu (1961), Boston, MA: Shambhala Publications, 1990, Chapter 2, p. 2. 39. Luke 18:19, NIV. 40. Ruiz, M. (1997), The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (hereafter Agreements), San Rafael, CA: Amber-Allen Publishing, 1997, pp. 48-51. 41. Macarius, in Ghezzi, B. (2001) (ed.), The Times Book of Saints, London: HarperCollins, 2001, p. 459. 42. Tao, Chap. 27. 43. Matthew 11:25, NIV. 44. Matthew 18:4, NIV. 45. Suzuki, S. (1970), Zen Mind, Beginners Mind, Boston, MA: Shambhala Publications, 2006, p 1. 46. Williamson, M. (1992), A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles, London: Thorsons, 1996, pp. 190-191.

47. Huber, C. (1988), How You Do Anything is How You Do Everything, in Chandler, S. (2000), 17 Lies That are Holding You Back and the Truth That Will Set You Free (hereafter Truth), Los Angeles: Renaissance Books, 2002, p. 37. 48. Agreements, p. 17. 49. Gandhi, M., in Eppler Adams, D. (2010), Conscious Footsteps: Finding Spirit in Everyday Matters, Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse, 2010, p. 73. 50. Job 3:25, Crossway Bibles: Good News Publishers (2001), English Standard Version of The Bible (hereafter ESV), London: HarperCollins, 2010. 51. Tao, Chap. 46. 52. Legends of the Samurai, Translated by Hiroaki Sato (1995), in Greene, R. (2006), The 33 Strategies of War, London: Profile Books, 2007, Chap. 3, pp. 30-32. 53. Herbert, F. (1965), Dune, London: Hodder Paperbacks, 1982, p. 19. 54. Columban and Deicolus, in Attwater, D. and Thurston, H. (1956), Butlers Lives of the Saints: New Concise Edition, Kent: Burns and Oates, 1982, p. 17. 55. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, ESV.

56. Colossians 3:2, NIV. 57. Philippians 1:21, NIV. 58. Colossians 3:3, NIV. 59. Plutarch, Moralia, in Carnegie, D. (1948), How to Stop Worrying and Start Living (hereafter Living), London: Ebury Publishing, 1998, p. 152. 60. Tao, Chap. 22. 61. Tao, Chap. 41. 62. Tao, Chap. 20. 63. Dogen, in Buksbazen, J. D. (2002), Zen Meditation in Plain English, Boston, MA: Wisdom Publications, 2002, p. 27. 64. Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV. 65. Romans 6:21, NIV. 66. Sayings, p. 43. 67. Gautama Buddha, in The Udana Inspired Utterances of the Buddha & The Itivuttaka The Buddhas Sayings, from the Pali Canon, Translated by John D. Ireland (1997), Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society, 2007, 8.8 Visakha (Visakha Sutta), p. 108.

68. Luke 14:26, NIV. 69. Tao, Ch. 41. 70. Tao, Ch. 64. 71. 1 Corinthians 6:12, NIV. 72. 2 Peter 2:19, NIV. 73. Socrates, in Eby, J. (2008), Thinking for Success: A Handbook for Students, Parents, Teachers, Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse, 2008, p. 24. 74. Yeats, W. B. (1939), Under Ben Bulben, in Truth, p. 65. 75. Jeremiah 33:3, Tyndale Charitable Trust (2004), New Living Translation of The Bible, Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004. 76. Rittenhouse, J. B., in Hill, N. (1937), Think and Grow Rich, San Diego, CA: Aventine Press, 2004, p. 35. 77. Carlyle, T. (1829), in Living, p. 23. 78. Carlyle, T. (1833), in McGovern, U. (1996) (ed.), Chambers Dictionary of Quotations, Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap Publishers, 2005, p. 192. 79. Eliot, G., in Truth, p. 57.