The true opponent in a debate on emptiness is your own ego.
Interpretation
The main challenge in discussing emptiness lies within ourselves, particularly our egos. We must confront our own biases and pride to engage in meaningful dialogue.
This quote emphasizes that the greatest obstacle we face when grappling with concepts like emptiness is our own ego. In any debate, it's easy to become defensive or overly invested in our viewpoints, but true understanding comes from recognizing and setting aside our personal biases. This self-awareness can lead to deeper insights and more authentic discussions about profound topics.
In practice
When discussing controversial ideas in a philosophy class, this quote reminds students to check their egos at the door.
To discover your real questions, simply take a time-out. Stop looking ahead of yourself at where you’re going or backward at where you’ve been. When you do stop, there’s a sense of going nowhere. There’s a sense of gap, which is a tremendous relief. You can simply breathe and be who you are.
Sometimes we are too polite with our suffering and allow it to dominate our life.
There is no inherent awakening power in cultural forms that have become dissociated from the wisdom and practicality that gave birth to them. They turn into illusions themselves and become part of the drama of religious culture. Although they can make us happy temporarily, they can't free us from suffering, so at some point, they become a source of disappointment and discouragement. Eventually, these forms may inspire nothing more than resistance to their authority.
It is not about how much you give, it is about how much you can let go with your mind.
It is all up to us. We are the ones who have to keep looking at our thoughts, looking for the nature of our mind. there is nobody else in control of our lives, our experiences, our freedom or our bondage.
There is no emptiness without appearance, and there is no appearance without emptiness. That is what we call the interdependent nature.
A cloud of incense was rising on high; the people suddenly all bowed low; what could it mean? The truth flashed on him, fearfully yet sweetly; it was the Blessed Sacrament - it was the Lord Incarnate who was on the altar, who had come to visit and bless his people. It was the Great Presence, which makes a Catholic Church different from every other place in the world; which makes it, as no other place can be - holy.
We're all just songs in the end. If we are lucky.
Unfortunately, however much we may deplore something, it does not stop being true.
The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.
The glory of saving a country is not for him who has contributed to its ruin.
You are the plays you write. How on earth could you write them otherwise? They're projections of your own predilections.
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