Quotes

Here are some nice quotes that I got recently. They are all more or less self-evident but we tend to forget them all the time.



Many people lose the small joys, in hope for the big happiness.
~Pearl S. Buck

That's what we all are doing. Our eyes are in the future, we want something and before we get it we refuse to be happy. And when we finally get that something we are content...only for a while before we start wanting something else. Happiness is not found by getting what you want. It is found when one realizes that nothing is really needed, all is just perfect right now.

Nothing can be taught to a man; but it’s possible to help him find the answer within himself.
~Galileo Galilei

I am quite amazed that Galilei, a famous scientist said this. He might have meant something totally different of course but it's a remarkable quote. We tend to look for authority, for advices how to live and how to be, rules, for guidances, for practices, for answers. But nobody can give answer to the one that has a question. Such answer has no value, it solves nothing. One must look for the problem by itself, to be ready to go against authority if that's what one finds out.

The true philosophy is to learn again to see the world.
~Merleau-Ponty

This sounds like a Zen wisdom. Seeing the world as it is and not as one would like it to be - that takes courage. I would even change the quote a bit to this form: The true wisdom is to unlearn everything to see the world.

There are people who speak to us and we do not listen to them; there are people who hurt us and they don’t leave a scar, but there are people who simply appear in our life and they mark us for ever.
~Cecília Meireles

Though nobody really ever hurts us (if we're not talking about physical violence) as we get hurt by ourselves - I still agree with the quote. We react to some people so that we are totally indifferent what they do or what they say. Some people we let affect on ourselves. And then there are few people that we let affect on ourselves very deeply. Those are the people that we carry in our hearts all lifetime.

Never walk on the traveled path, because it only leads you where the others have been.
~Grahan Bell

In other words, don't be afraid to go on untravelled paths. Find your own paths instead of following the masses in what they do and how they live.

Love me when I less deserves it, because it’s then when I need it most
~Chinese Proverb

That's more like a relationship advice. When our egos are hurt or upset, when we are feeling most foolish moments - that's the best time to drop weapons and open arms. That's one of the most difficult things in the world, turning the other cheek.

Wondering process

In the beginning one is full of questions and seeks answers to them.

In the middle one has lots of answers but no longer questions.

At the end both questions and answers vanish.

Then what?

That's a futile question.

Questions and answers

Here are answers to some random questions, which I found from internet. Nothing too deep.

When was the last time you cried?

I was something like 15-years old, was biking in the city and car hit me. Pain did not make me cry - instead when I went to tell my father about the accident I cried as I was scared that I had caused problems. Since that, I have not cried - I have lost the ability to cry.

Have you ever faked sick?

Probably sometimes when I was in junior high school.

What was the last lie you said?

Tough question. I am very straight-forward (some would say that I'm way too straight-forward) when saying things and usually there's no need for me to lie. Probably last time I lied to my mother when she asked me something and I replied "I don't know" even though I knew very well. That happens every now and then.

Have you ever cried during a movie?

If we skip the childhood then answer is no. But my eyes have got slighly wet in some movies, can't recall any names though.

Who was the last person you couldn't take your eyes off of?

I am not sure what is meant by this question but I would say my first girlfriend B.

Have you ever danced in the rain?

Circled in the rain with my hands spread, yes. Really danced, no.

Have you ever been drunk?

Hahah, many many times.

Have you ever tried tried drugs?

One or two times, depends what is considered as trying.

Do you smoke?

No.

What is your blood-type?

I can't remember and I've lost papers where I could check that. Should probably check it out sometimes.

Have you ever been in a car accident?

Yes, three times. Though I was not the driver in any of those.

How old were you when you recieved your first kiss?

Hmm, if talking about real (french) kissing then I was very old already. I better not tell :)

Who was your first kiss?

Again I assume that we are talking about french kissing and not some childhood stuff. There was nothing romantic in my first kiss. I was drunk and in nightclub when one girl approached me and asked if she could kiss me. So we did.

Have you ever had an online relationship?

What is online relationship? I have online friends, some I have never met face to face but I would not say that I have had online relationship. Oh, ok now I remember - many years ago in certain online roleplaying game I had "online relationship" with one girl.

Have you ever been rejected by a crush?

Sure, happened many times in my childhood.

What is your favourite sport to play?

Are chess or poker considered as sport? :) My favourite sport to follow is mixed martial arts (MMA) but I don’t do it myself (yet anyway).

Have you ever made a prank phone call?

Indeed I have. In childhood I made them a lot with couple of friends.

Have you ever said "I Love you" and not meant it?

No.

What's your favourite childhood memory?

I don’t have such favourite memories.

Is there anything that you have done that you regret?

Regretting is pointless as past is past. So no, I don’t regret anything.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Thank you for asking but I am fine already :)

What is your political persuasion?

Non-existent.

Have you ever had cybersex?

Yep.

Do you believe in God?

God is subjective definition and everyone has own interpretation about the word. If word implies what people (Christian, Muslim and Hindu) usually mean by God then no, I don’t’ believe in it. If word implies into wholeness, unity of everything, oneness – then yes, I can believe in it.

Do you believe in love at first sight?

No, my view about love is very different. This question is more about physical attraction which is another subject.

Do you believe in karma?

Different cultures and religions have different idea about karma so let’s quote Wikipedia for one definition:

Karma literally means action. We first take an intent and follow it up with action in the form of thought, speaking to others, planning and execution. According to the Theory of Karma - every action taken to achieve a result or profit (fruit of action) leaves a trace or a karmic residue behind it. It is this residue that keeps accumulating and takes away ones well being and freedom. Only a person who acts to produce results without worrying about profit does not accumulate such a Karmic residue. Such action normally comes out of love or pure passion.

Well, yes and no. Yes, because everything that we do when “me” is present, is in the world of suffering and will come to the surface at some moments. No, because that trace is something we carry all along, it’s not some external mystical power. One is out of this karmic cycle when there is action without actor (or love without anybody loving anyone – just love).

Who was your first crush?

Well, if childhood is included then girl who lived next door – I was about 5 years old though.

Who do you have a crush on?

At the moment? No-one.

How would you describe yourself?

Absurd question but let’s say lonely wolf.

What are you afraid of?

Myself. Me being afraid of myself – interesting paradox. Anyway fears are most often connected into either not getting something or losing something already gained – and those two do not worry me one bit.

Are you religious?

Yes, you could say so. Or perhaps more exact term would be “spiritual” which is more universal compared to religious that most often is connected with one specific religion.

What does your screen name mean?

Most often I use screen names “Yaggie” or “Nightwing”. They are both linked to same source, to my character’s name in one online roleplaying game Yaggie is a nick name made from name Yagol. Nightwing, well it’s a surname that felt fitting even though it was not picked by me.

What person do you trust the most?

What is trusting? Why do we need trust? It seems a way of expecting something from other person. I have no need for such trust or you could say that I trust everyone.

Who was your first boyfriend/girlfriend?

B.

What is the best compliment you have ever received?

Well, I don’t carry compliments with me – it’s been nice to hear something like that but it’s only for that moment.

What is the meanest thing anyone has said about you?

I don’t carry those with me either.

What is the longest relationship you have had?

2,5 years.

What is your greatest strength?

Hmm. In the past I might have said “will that drives through mountains if needed”. And now? Let’s say awareness about “myself”.

What is your greatest weakness?

Egoism.

What is your perfect pizza?

Something like: kebab, salami, olives and jalapeno.

What is your first thought when waking up in the morning?

“Nooooo…..not yet…..zZzZzZ”

What is your first thought before you go to bed?

Hmm I have a little habit of thinking briefly about my life at the moment when I have turned off the light. I stand in semi-darkness facing the window and there’s a flash of thought. In the bed I might think all kind of weird entertaining stuff, like watching a short movie before falling asleep.

Do you get along with your family?

I don’t fight with them but I’m not close either.

Do you play any instruments?

No, it would be interesting learn to play piano though.

What kind of music do you like?

My music taste is very wide but I seem to listen dance genre music most often.

Do you think you're attractive?

No – but I’m not worried about not being attractive either.

Would you ever get a tattoo?

Sure I could, have thought about taking it many times.

How many piercings do you have?

Zero.

Who makes you laugh?

Me - that answer applies to all of us though. To other view of question: people who bubble life.

Who would you want to be tied to for 24hours?

Hmmm. Katie Holmes would not be a bad choice.

Have you ever seen a dead body?

I don’t think so.

What is one thing scientists should invent?

Teleporter or time machine.

What happens after you die?

Who cares? What happens when you’re alive is what matters.

Do you watch or read the news?

I browse some newspapers at work but it’s just a way to spend coffee break. I don’t really follow news, they’re more or less the same all the time anyway.

What stereotype would you label yourself as being?

I don’t do labelling – or if that happens I just wipe it off. So no answer to this.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

I could change it if I wanted. Names don’t matter to me, I use them very rarely when addressing people.

If you could go back in time to one point in your life, where would you go?

I have already answered to this previously. It would not be same at all if I went to some scene in the past – it would be very weird.

If you could change anything about yourself, what would you change?

I am fine thanks.

Have you ever gone skinny dipping?

Not yet but I have run naked in the woods.

Have you ever played strip poker?

Sure.

Would you ever lie to someone to make them feel good about themselves?

Hmmm I don’t really do that. Trying to think examples about such situation but can’t recall any.

What do you want your friends to think about you?

They are free to think anything and I’m fine with whatever they think about me.

Whats the biggest argument you've ever gotten into?

Hmm I have gotten into arguments quite often but they are not comparable in such way.

Have you ever bitten someone?

Of course.

Do you make wishes on shooting stars?

Not anymore. Now I just enjoy the view.

Whats the most you've ever eaten in one sitting?

Too much.

Do you remember your dreams?

Sometimes.

Have you ever been in love?

To what is usually meant by this question: yes I have.

Are you a morning person or a night person?

Night person.

Do you have any phobias?

High places perhaps, I’m not too sure how much it affects me nowadays though.

What's the meanest thing you've ever done to someone?

Better question would be what’s the thing that has caused someone react to it very strongly – I don’t know.

Have you ever been to the hospital (other then birth?)

When I was bitten by a snake in childhood. After that hmmm not as a patient as far as I can recall.

Do any medical problems run in your family?

I’m not really aware of that stuff.

Would you ever pay for a prostitute?

I don’t think so.

Have you ever cheated on your bf/gf?

No.

Have you ever written a love letter?

Many.

Have you ever attempted suicide?

No.

Have you ever been in a fistfight?

I’ve been in a boxing ring with gloves on but with bare knuckles? Not really.

Do you have any hidden talents?

Probably, they just remain very well hidden.

What is one question you wouldn't want me to ask?

Hmm, “what is meaning of life?” is one of such questions.

Do you usually prefer books or movies?

Usually books.

Who is always able to cheer you up when you're sad?

I don’t use people for that.

Would you ever have sex before marriage?

Already did.

Who do you talk to most on the phone?

My mother probably and that’s very little of talking but she’s about the only one I talk with on the phone.

Do you have a secret that you’re ashamed of?

Perhaps.

Do you prefer british or american spelling of words?

American.

Have you ever gotten detention?

Once.

How do you vent your anger?

By observing the nature of it.

Have you ever been on a diet?

Not really.

Would you ever date someone younger than you? Older than you?

Age is not really important.

What's the meanest thing anyone has ever done to you?

No hard feelings towards anyone.

Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental illness?

I have managed to avoid shrinks so far.

Have you ever cut yourself on purpose?

Nope, sounds rather silly.

Have you ever wanted to murder someone?

No.

Do you prefer talking on the phone or online?

Online, though nowadays I’m not very talkative even there.

What is your favourite book?

Too many good ones and impossible to pick one over rest.

Do you have a collection of anything?

Hmmm, can only think MMA video collection.

Are you happy with the person you are becoming?

Funny question. I am happy as I am.

Are you a different person now then you were 5 years ago?

I am different than 5 minutes ago.

What do you see yourself as being in 5 years from now?

We shall see – or not.

Are you happy with the life you have?

Yes.

True traveller

Sometimes people call me as true traveller. My wanderings may impress those people that travel rarely themselves, never alone and trips they make are more or less controlled ones. Though I have been here and there on my own I don’t consider myself as true traveller - I am just a traveller. True travellers are not going to specific place, they’re moving from place to place without real plans or schedule. They blend in wherever they are and do not stress about anything. There are very few true travellers out there. Sadly, one of them died recently. Here is a link to her site:

http://www.kingafreespirit.pl

In order to be a true traveller one must play the role of the fool and often ask dumb questions. The one who knows everything about a place before he even departs will never discover what he’s going there to see.
~Unknown

A true traveller has no fixed plan, and is not intent on arriving.
~Tao Te Ching

#7: J.Krishnamurti

Jiddu Krishnamurti was, in many ways, total opposite of Osho. Where as Osho was excellent orator, entertaining, very humorous and gladly talked about everything - Krishnamurti had rather dry way to speak, he always seemed extremely serious and only talked about the most essential thing (mind and freedom of it). He always wore such clothes that fit into culture where he was at the moment. He constantly used word “sir” when addressing people and almost never used the word “I”. Curiously Osho once said that he had met lots people in his life: teachers, masters and gurus but only truly enlightened of them was Krishnamurti. When Krishnamurti heard about that he said that Osho was just fraud. Osho then said that this is exactly what enlightened person would say :)

In 1909 Jiddu was just a young boy wandering around on the beach in India when member of Theosophical society “found” him and took him to England to prepare him to become the world teacher. Things did not go as they planned. In 1929 Krishnamurti shocked many by giving a speech where he left the Theosophical society. This is part of that speech:

You may remember the story of how the devil and a friend of his were walking down the street, when they saw ahead of them a man stop down and pick up something from the ground, look at it, and put it away in his pocket. The friend said to the devil, "What did that man pick up?" "He picked up a piece of the truth," said the devil. "That is a very bad business for you, then," said his friend. "Oh, not at all," the devil replied, "I am going to help him organize it."

I maintain that truth is a pathless land, and you cannot approach it by any path whatsoever, by any religion, by any sect. That is my point of view, and I adhere to that absolutely and unconditionally. Truth, being limitless, unconditioned, unapproachable by any path whatsoever, cannot be organized; nor should any organization be formed to lead or coerce people along a particular path.

When listening or reading Krishnamurti - he’s always going directly into the problem. He doesn’t use fancy metaphors or talk for sake of talking. All his life he kept thousands of lectures where he kept the same straightforward style. That’s also why some people don’t like to listen to him because he does not entertain at all. He was very concerned about the problems of mind and kept on saying that it was time to solve it now once and for all. His sincerity & determination was truly worth of mentioning.

Here are couple of quotes from him:

Insight is not an act of remembrance, the continuation of memory. Insight is like a flash of light. You see with absolute clarity, all the complications, the consequences, the intricacies. Then this very insight is action, complete. In that there are no regrets, no looking back, no sense of being weighed down, no discrimination. This is pure, clear insight - perception without any shadow of doubt. Most of us begin with certainty and as we grow older the certainty changes to uncertainty and we die with uncertainty. But if one begins with uncertainty, doubting, questioning, asking demanding, with real doubt about man's behaviour, about all the religious rituals and their images and their symbols, then out of that doubt comes the clarity of certainty.

To discover what is eternal, the process of the mind must be understood. You cannot think about the unknown; you can think only about the known, and what is known is not the real. Reality cannot be thought about, meditated upon, pictured, or formulated; if it is, it is not real, because it is merely the projection of the mind. It is only when the thought process ceases, when the mind is literally and utterly still - and stillness can come about only through self-knowledge - , that reality is understood; and it is the real that resolves our problems, not our cunning distractions and formulated escapes.

As I was saying if the young have not that revolutionary discontent, they are already old; and the old are those who were once discontented, but have settled back. They want security, they want permanency, either in their jobs or in their souls. They want certainty in ideas, in relationship, or in property. If in you, who are young, there is a spirit of inquiry which makes you want the truth of anything, of any political action whether of the left or of the right, and if you are not bound by tradition, then you will be the regenerators of the world, the creators of a new civilization, a new culture. But, like the rest of us, like the past generation, young people also want security, certainty. They want jobs, they want food, clothing and shelter, they don't want to disagree with their parents because it means going against society. Therefore, they fall in line, they accept the authority of older people. So, what happens? The discontent which is the very flame of inquiry, of search, of understanding – that discontent is made mediocre, it becomes merely a desire for a better job, or a rich marriage, or a degree. So, their discontent is destroyed, it merely becomes the desire for more security. Surely, what is essential for the old and for the young is to live fully, completely. But you see, there are very few people who want to live completely. To live fully and completely, there must be freedom, not an acceptance of authority; and there can be freedom only when there is virtue. Virtue is not imitation; virtue is creative living. That is, creativeness comes through the freedom which virtue brings; and virtue is not to be cultivated, it does not come through practice or at the end of your life. Either you are virtuous and free now, or you are not. And to find out why you are not free, you must have discontent, you must have the intention, the drive, the energy to encore; but you dissipate that energy sexually, or through shouting political slogans, waving flags, or merely imitating, passing examinations for a better job.

As you watch anything—a tree, your wife, your children, your neighbor, the stars of a night, the light on the water, the bird in the sky, anything—there is always the observer—the censor, the thinker the experiencer, the seeker—and the thing he is observing; the observer and the observed; the thinker and the thought. So, there is always a division. It is this division that is time. That division is the very essence of conflict. And when there is conflict, there is contradiction. There is “the observer and the observed”—that is a contradiction; there is a separation. And hence where there is contradiction, there is conflict. And when there is conflict, there is always the urgency to get beyond it, to conquer it, to overcome it, to escape from it, to do something about it, and all that activity involves time.... As long as there is this division, time will go on, and time is sorrow.

And a man who will understand the end of sorrow must understand this, must find, must go beyond this duality between the thinker and the thought, the experiencer and the experienced. That is, when there is a division between the observer and the observed, there is time, and therefore there is no ending of sorrow. Then, what is one to do? You understand the question? I see, within myself, the observer is always watching, judging, censoring, accepting, rejecting, disciplining, controlling, shaping. That observer, that thinker, is the result of thought, obviously. Thought is first; not the observer, not the thinker. If there was no thinking at all, there would be no observer, no thinker; then there would only be complete, total attention.