Author Archives → Brian

this world is a place of preparation

 

This world is

a place of preparation where

one is given many lessons and passes

many tests. Choose less over more in it.

Be satisfied with what you have, even

if it is less than what others

have. In fact, prefer to

have less.

 

This world is

not bad — on the contrary,

it is the field of the hereafter.

What you plant here, you will reap

there. This world is the way to

eternal bliss and so is good —

worthy to be cherished

and to be praised.

 

Ibn ‘Arabi

i choose these old buddhas


 

We are

in the habit of saying

that it was not in our power

to choose the parents who were

allotted to us, that they were given

to us by chance. But we can choose whose

children we would like to be. There are households

of the noblest intellects: choose the one into which you wish

to be adopted, and you will inherit not only their name

but their property too. Nor will this property

need to be guarded meanly or grudgingly:

the more it is shared out,

the greater it will

become. 

 

Seneca