What if Things are Great?

Share

“…it is not men’s acts which disturb us, for those acts have their foundation in men’s ruling principles, but it is our own opinions which disturb us.” Marcus Aurelius Meditations Chapter 11

Yes, this is the very same quote from my last post. You know, the post where I talked about all the terrible things that can happen to you, and how Continue reading

Marcus Aurelius, Christmas, and Death

Share

“Sixth, consider when thou art much vexed or grieved, that man’s life is only a moment, and after a short time we are all laid out dead.”  Meditations Chapter 11 Rule #6

Nothing says Merry Christmas like contemplating my death. Continue reading

Fortune and Misfortune: The Story of Maybe

Share

Often we think that if we can’t have a certain thing we will be crushed.  Other times we may think that if our life does not go a certain way, we will not be happy.  In fact, there may be things in our lives that seem like misfortune, when in fact they are a turning point that leads something even greater.  That, I think is why grasping for an “if only…then I’ll be happy” is such a mistake.

There is a story that runs in Zen circles, normally it goes by the title of “Maybe.”  It is appropriate in describing how we shouldn’t judge whether something is fortune and fortune.

Here it is: Continue reading

The infinity of the mind…

Quote

Share

“These are the properties of the rational soul: it sees itself, analyses itself, and makes itself such as it chooses; the fruit which it bears itself enjoys- for the fruits of plants and that in animals which corresponds to fruits others enjoy- it obtains its own end, wherever the limit of life may be fixed. Not as in a dance and in a play and in such like things, where the whole action is incomplete, if anything cuts it short; but in every part and wherever it may be stopped, it makes what has been set before it full and complete, so that it can say, I have what is my own. And further Continue reading