24 Jan Way Of Way 103
Science says we see others by the light they reflect. In reality, we see others by the light we project upon them....
21 Jan Edward Abbey
"Of course I litter the public highway. After all, it's not the beer cans that are ugly; it's the highway that is ugly."...
20 Jan Courtesy of Alan Glickman
A woman, without her man, is nothing. A woman, without her, man is nothing. Together, they are one and can turn into many. Apart, they both with be nothing. ...
20 Jan Way Of Way 97
“Those who can make you believe in absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” -- Voltaire Ideologies and identity groups are absurdities that are the foundation of dualities....
19 Jan Hassidic perspective of our good fortune
A man once visited the holy Rebbe Dov Ber ben Avraham of Mezeritch and said he had great difficulties applying the Talmudic saying that "A person is supposed to bless God for the bad just as he blesses Him for the good". The Maggid told him to find the Maggid's disciple Reb Zusha of Hanipoli and ask him. The man went and found Rabbi Zusha, who received him friendly and invited him to his home. When the guest came in, he saw how poor the family was, there was almost nothing to eat, they were beset with afflictions and illnesses. Nevertheless, Rabbi Zusha was always happy and cheerful. The guest was astonished at this picture. He said: "I went to the Holy Maggid to ask him how is it possible to bless God for the bad He sends us the same way as we bless Him for the good, and The Maggid told me only you can help me in this matter." Rabbi Zusha said: "This is indeed a very interesting question. But why did our holy Rebbe send you to me? How would I know? He should have sent you to someone who has experienced suffering." The essence of happiness is gratitude, the realization that however dour our circumstances they could always be worse. We are truly blessed when we recognize and serve God, the ever-changing and eternal whole, as we in turn become one with God; thereby realizing our self-perceived relative good or bad fortune is perception, not reality....
11 Jan Antiquities dealer in Jerusalem
Some 25 years back, in the “old city” section of Jerusalem, I stepped into a shop selling antiquities. As I looked at various objects in glass cases, the owner of the shop introduced himself and said he’d been an antiquities dealer for more than fifty years, had dealt in very fine and desirable objects and was sure he had something I'd like. I told him I’d been collecting antiquities for some time and wanted to look around. He then asked: “What are you looking for.” I replied: “I don’t know what I’m looking for until I find it.” To which he said: “In that case, you’re looking for nothing.” While not apparent to me at the time, ultimately he was right. Now, after many years of collecting antiquities and tribal art and generally living to pursue personal desires, eureka: nothing. Looking for nothing, desiring nothing; not because I have everything, but as I am the everything....
08 Jan Penn Tanenbaum
I told my six year old grandson, Penn, that a friend of mine is expecting to die of terminal illness in the spring. Penn said: “Your friend is lucky.” I asked: “Why lucky?” Penn said: “They are not dying now.” No one is getting out of here alive. We are all dying; some slowly, some suddenly. No point in worrying about it, but best not to forget about it....
08 Jan Way Of Way 104
Wealth and social status are imaginary hierarchies. Those atop hierarchies are generally very happy with themselves. When they look at those below them, they are pleased as they see the admiring and respectful faces of those below. However, the laws of gravity disturb this otherwise mutually pleasing relationship. Invariably, those atop need to relieve themselves and their droppings are resented by those below. There is nothing imaginary about that....
02 Jan Koan 67
"If I am I because I am I, and you are you because you are you, then I am I and you are you. But if I am I because you are you and you are you because I am I, then I am not I and you are not you!" -- Kotzker Rebbe When Moses encountered God in the desert, Moses asked God who he was. God said: "I am what I am." That is, God is indescribable because God is the Everything. Any other description implies God is one thing and not another; the antithesis of God. If I am what I am and you are what you are, I and you are God. However, if I define myself in terms of what I am not (you), I am not God. If you are God, I treat you accordingly; as I treat myself....