Chin up, eyes ahead not back. TZ

All religions are equal to me.And all castes and creeds are dear to me. But though I appreciate all ‘isms,' religions and political parties for the many good things they seek to achieve, I do not and cannot belong to any of these ‘isms,' religions or political parties, for the Absolute Truth, while equally including them, transcends all of them and leaves no room for separative divisions which are all equally false.

Blessing Chant: Just as water flowing in the streams and rivers fills the ocean, thus may all your moments of goodness touch and benefit all beings, those here now and those gone before. May all your wishes be soon fulfilled as completely as the moon on a full-night, as successfully as from the Wish-Fulfilling Gem. May all dangers be averted; may all disease leave you. May no obstacles come across your way and may you enjoy happiness and long life. May those who are always respectful, honoring the way of the elders, prosper in the four blessings of old age, beauty, hapiness, and strength. -Teachings of the Buddha Adapted from the Pattanumondana blessing Chant

"The main points of Buddha's teachings, then, are seeing reality, namely the interconnectedness of everything and everyone, and consequently developing equal love and compassion for all beings. The highest principle that unites everything is known as 'voidness,' beyond all names and concepts. Voidness refers to the fact that nothing exists in impossible, fantasized ways such as truly independent from everything else, but that all beings and things arise interdependent on each other. Because all living creatures and the environment are interdependent, one must , [have] concern and compassion for all others and take responsibility to actively help." Originally published as part of Berzin, Alexander. Buddhism and Its Impact on Asia. Asian Monographs, no. 8. Cairo: Cairo University, Center for Asian Studies, June 1996.

 

I am so small I can barely be seen.
How can this great love be inside me?

Look at your eyes. They are small,
but they see enormous things.

- Rumi

***

"I have estimated the influence of Reason upon Love and found that it is like that of a raindrop upon the ocean, which makes one little mark upon the water's face and disappears."

- Hafiz

Stay together, friends
Don't scatter and sleep

Our friendship is made
of being awake.

~Rumi

 

Not only must you die in the end, but you do not know when the end will come. If you did, you could put off preparing for the future. Even if you show signs of living to a ripe old age, you cannot say with one hundred percent certainty that today you will not die.

1.  If you cultivate a sense of the uncertainty of the time of death, you will make better use of your time.
2.  To prevent procrastination with regard to spiritual practice, take care not to come under the influence of the illusion of permanence.
3.  Realize that no matter how wonderful a situation may be, its nature is such that it must end.
4.  Do not think that there will be time later.
5.  Be frank about facing your own death. Skillfully encourage others to be frank about their deaths. Do not deceive each other with compliments when the time of death is near. Honesty will foster courage and joy.

Dalai Lama

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.
Sutta Nipata