Divine Justice Transcends Time and Space The notion of justice presupposes the persistence of identity, not only of individual, but also of family, race and nation. An individual goes through many changes, from a newborn baby, to a child, an adult and an old man. How can one be responsible for his past action if he is not the same person who committed it? Although a family, race or nation […]
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“The Cloud Of Unknowing” by Anonymous
Perspectives on the Contemplative Life It is written in the Talmud, “Whoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world.” Concerning the spirit, the only life that a man has the power to destroy or save is his own, then and only then is an entire world destroyed or saved […]
Read more“A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life” by William Law
William Law in this work reminds me of Leo Tolstoy in his late writings. Both of them write with a limpid style, both present moral arguments that are undeniably logical and rational, both make severe and incisive criticisms of Christendom, and not surprisingly, both were excommunicated. If a Christian reader tries to see things through Law’s eyes, he would find himself in a dream world, where people, himself included, live […]
Read more“Four Quartets: IV. Every Life a Poem” by T. S. Eliot
Words move, music moves Only in time; but that which is only living Can only die. Words, after speech, reach Into the silence. Only by the form, the pattern, Can words or music reach The stillness, as a Chinese jar still Moves perpetually in its stillness. Not the stillness of the violin, while the note lasts, Not that only, but the co-existence, Or say that the end precedes the beginning, […]
Read more“Enchiridion and Fragments” by Epictetus
A life at odds with Fortune resembles a wintry torrent, for it is turbulent, muddy, difficult to pass, violent, noisy and brief; A soul conversant with virtue resembles a perpetual fountain; for it is clear, gentle, agreeable, sweet, serviceable, rich, harmless and innocent. They who have a good constitution of body can bear heat and cold; and so they who have a right constitution of soul can meet anger and […]
Read moreZhuang Zi: Inner Chapters
Zhuang Zi on Way of Nature A man without toes went to see KongZi (孔子), who criticized him and said, “You were careless, and the damage [to your feet] has already been done, it is too late to seek help now.” The man replied, “I was ignorant and acted recklessly, and so lost my feet. But I come today, because there is something more precious than my two feet that […]
Read moreMoralia: On The Control Of Anger
He that wishes to come through life safe and sound must continue throughout his life to be under treatment. Anger is a Disease of the Soul I should like an attentive friend of mine to hold a mirror up to me during my moments of rage. For to see oneself in a state which nature did not intend, with one’s features all distorted, contributes in no small degree toward discrediting […]
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