"It is a rare breed of human who can blend a free spirit, a decisive nature, a deep respect for life, love for adventure, and an uncompromising sense of integrity into personal happiness. Such individuals hear the heartbeat of wholeness."

Buddhist Wisdom

It's good to see Noble Ones.
Happy their company--always.
Though not seeing fools
constantly, constantly
one would be happy.

-Dhammapada 206, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Rules for living

At the start of the new millennium the Dalai Lama apparently issued eighteen rules for living. Since word travels slowly in the digital age these have only just reached me. Here they are.

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three Rs:
1. Respect for self
2. Respect for others
3. Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

The Difference Between the Voice of Satan and the Voice of God

The voice of Satan is always loud and strong and calamitous.
But the voice of God is always quiet and persuasive.

The voice of Satan never deals with specifics but is often dealingwith things in general terms.
The voice of God is always to the point.
The voice of God is specific, God is not the God of confusion.

The voice of Satan is demanding and always trying to get an immediate decision.
The voice of God is always leading. Time is always a great asset to know the voice of God.

The voice of Satan perplexes us, creates turmoil and mixes us up.
But the voice of God is always clear and distinctive.

The voice of Satan is never marked by a restful and peaceful spirit.
The voice of God gives us great rest of certainty.

The voice of Satan is always afraid of the Light of God and will draw back from it.
The voice of God is always open and willing for council and question.

The voice of Satan brings depression and discouragement.
But the voice of God brings great encouragement to the believer.

The voice of Satan appeals to the lower instincts and suggests “I want.”
But the voice of God appeals to the higher instincts and suggests “I ought.”

The voice of Satan disappears if the believer refuses to listen to it.
But the voice of God grows stronger and stronger in my personal relationship with Him.


----Taken from a Sunday message by Gerhard Du Toit, Charity Christian Ministries

“People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
… Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
… Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
… Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
… Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
… Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
… Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
… Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
… Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.”
——— Mother Theresa.

Let your love flow outward through the universe,
To its height, its depth, its broad extent,
A limitless love, without hatred or enmity.
Then as you stand or walk,
Sit or lie down,
As long as you are awake,
Strive for this with a one-pointed mind;
Your life will bring heaven to earth.

- The Buddha