"Not Ready to Be a True Teacher” — Author Unknown
"Kasan, a Zen teacher and monk, was to officiate at a funeral of a famous nobleman.
As he stood there waiting for the governor of the province and other lords and ladies to arrive, he noticed that the palms of his hands were sweaty.
“Every Ordinary Moment” by William Martin
We are learning to distinguish
between true and false power.
We see the clamoring of the young
for wealth and position
and we sadly smile and shake our heads.
"Intoxicated by the Wine of Love" by Farid al-Din Attar
Intoxicated by the Wine of Love.
From each a mystic silence Love demands.
What do all seek so earnestly? 'Tis Love.
What do they whisper to each other? Love.
Love is the subject of their inmost thoughts.
"The Way of Love" 1 Corinthians 13 English Standard Bible
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
"Love" by Kahlil Gibran
Then said Almitra, "Speak to us of Love."
And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them.
And with a great voice he said:
When love beckons to you follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
“Wings of Love and Longing” — Author Unknown
When longing lures us from sleep to follow the flutter of wings playing around the heart, a soft breath carries remembrance of the long grateful sigh of breaking free from whatever binds and confines the wings of our souls.
“In My Soul” by Rabia — 8th C, poetess of Islam
In my soul there is a temple, a shrine, a mosque, a church.
Prayer should bring us to an altar where no walls or names exist.
“Hymn of the Universe” (excerpt) by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
Since once again, Lord — though this time not in the forests of the Aisne but in the steppes of Asia — I have neither bread, nor wine, nor altar, I will raise myself beyond these symbols, up to the pure majesty of the real itself; I, your priest, will make the whole earth my altar and on it will offer you all the labours and sufferings of the world.
“Can You Hear The Mountain Stream?” — Author Unknown
A Zen Master was walking in silence with one of his disciples along a mountain trail. When they came to an ancient cedar tree, they sat down under it for a simple meal of some rice and vegetables. After the meal, the disciple, a young monk who had not yet found the key to the mystery of Life, broke the silence by asking the Master, "Master, how do I enter Life?"
He was, of course, inquiring how to enter the state of consciousness which is Life.
"The Strength of Weakness” by Richard Seymour
Be wary of the very strong
And they shall become weak.
Be dismissed as being weak
And that shall be your strength.