Zachary Shahan

The need of the world today is not learning…

Zachary Shahan — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:45:56 +0000

“The need of the world today is not learning, but how to become considerate towards one another. To try and find out in what way happiness can be brought about, and in this way to realize that peace which is the longing of every soul; and to impart it to others, thereby attaining our life’s goal, the sublimity of life.”

~ Inayat Khan

Indifference of a Different Nature

Zachary Shahan — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:04:15 +0000

“Vairagi means a person who has become indifferent; and yet indifference is not the word for it. It describes a person who has lost the value in his eyes of all that attracts the human being. It is no more attractive to him; it no more enslaves him. He may still be interested in all things of this life, but is not bound to them. … No affair of this world, no relation, no friendship, no wealth, no rank, position or comfort, nothing holds him. And yet that does not mean that he in any way lacks what is called love or kindness, for if ever he lives in this world it is only out of love. He is not interested in the world and it is only love that keeps him here, the love which does not express itself any more in the way of attachment, but only in the way of kindness, forgiveness, generosity, service, consideration, sympathy, helpfulness, in any way that it can; never expecting a return from the world, but ever doing all that it can, pitying the conditions, knowing the limitations of life and its continual changeability.”

~ Hazrat Inayat Khan

Follow Your Intuition

Zachary Shahan — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:36:09 +0000

This is probably one of the most-watched videos of all time. But always worth another watch, I think:

John Wooden on True Success

Zachary Shahan — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:11:28 +0000

You might not expect such words of wisdom and gentleness from a college basketball coach, but retired UCLA coach John Wooden has many gems of wisdom here, and he seems to be a very gentle, thoughtful, helpful person. Check it out:

h/t Eco Preservation Society

Some More Beauties from Mark Twain

Zachary Shahan — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:47:56 +0000

Too funny:

“If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man.”

~ Mark Twain

Always loved this one by Twain, as well:

“If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.”

Too true:

“In religion and politics, people’s beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination.”

“It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not to deserve them.”

“Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.”

~ Mark Twain

Every soul radiates an influence which charges the atmosphere…

Zachary Shahan — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:33:51 +0000

“Every soul radiates an influence which charges the atmosphere all around. The more powerful the influence the wider it spreads, forcing its way even through walls. There is no barrier of water or space which can keep that influence from spreading. The stronger the influence the longer it lasts. … Atmosphere is a silent music. It has its effect upon the listener, exciting or peaceful, whatever it may be.”

~ Hazrat Inayat Khan

“The brain speaks through words; the heart in the glance of the eyes; and the soul through a radiance that charges the atmosphere, magnetizing all.”

The more sincerity is developed, the greater share of truth…

Zachary Shahan — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:52:08 +0000

“The more sincerity is developed, the greater share of truth you will have. And however much sincerity a person may have, there is always a gap to fill, for we live in the midst of falsehood, and we are always apt to be carried away by this world of falsehood. Therefore we must never think we are sincere enough, and we must always be on our guard against influences which may carry us away from that sincerity which is the bridge between ourselves and our ideal. No study, no meditation is more helpful than sincerity itself.”

~ Hazrat Inayat Khan

Turning the light around…

Zachary Shahan — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:03:06 +0000

“Turning the light around, is to illumine inwardly, is using emptiness and stillness to return the spirit to the inside.”

~ Dzogchen

Always do right…

Zachary Shahan — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:57:16 +0000

“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”

~ Mark Twain

An individual has not started living until…

Zachary Shahan — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:28:57 +0000

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

So true.

More good quotes from MLK for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:

“Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.”

“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”

“At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.”

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”

“Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.”

“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”

“Let no man pull you low enough to hate him.”

Thank You, MLK. We still benefit so much from this wonderful man’s vision and work. Hopefully, this day will inspire us all to live a little more like Martin Luther King, Jr. lived.