Arrogantly dismissing the experience of older generations deprives society of the quiet wisdom it needs to withstand unforeseen crises. True resilience emerges when youthful energy is joined with the patient, hard-earned insight…
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Dependence
To a disciple who depended overmuch on books, the Master said: “A man came to the market with a shopping list and lost it. When to his great joy he found it…
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Universality
“The Master ordinarily dissuaded people from living in a monastery. “To profit from books you don’t have to live in a library,” he would say. Or, even more forcefully, “You can read…
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Irrelevance
“All questions at the public meeting that day were about life beyond the grave. The Master only laughed and did not give a single answer. To his disciples, who demanded to know…
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Gossip
A disciple confessed his bad habit of repeating gossip. Said the Master wickedly, “Repeating it wouldn’t be so bad if you did not improve on it.” Anthony de Mello More from http://www.soulwise.net/…
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Doctrine
To a visitor who claimed he had no need to search for Truth because he found it in the beliefs of his religion, the Master said: “There was once a student who…
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Happiness
Perspective often governs our joy far more than circumstances do, as resetting our baseline of comparison can instantly transform a chaotic room into an abode of peace. “I am in desperate need…
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Words
The disciples were absorbed in a discussion of Lao-tzu’s dictum: “Those who know do not say; Those who say do not know.” When the Master entered, they asked him exactly what the words meant.…
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Understanding
“How shall I get the grace of never judging my neighbour?” “Through prayer.” “Then why haven’t I found it yet?” “Because you haven’t prayed in the right place.” “Where is that?” “In…
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Riches
“How would spirituality help a man of the world like me?” asked the businessman. “It will help you have more,” said the Master. “How?” “By teaching you to desire less.” Anthony de…
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Priorities
According to legend, God sent an angel to the Master with this message: “Ask for a million years of life and they will be given you. Or a million million. How long…
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Opposition
To a pioneering spirit who was discouraged by frequent criticism, the Master said, “Listen to the words of the critic. He reveals what your friends hide from you.”But he also said, “Do…