Baruti

Why I Do What I Do:

"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and your discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be."

From the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali

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Words of Wisdom from the Dalai Lama

There is an impermanence, a transience in life that no one can stop. What we can control is how we choose to use this time - the only thing we have in our hands. Leading life in a purposeful meaningful way does not necessarily mean having to be religious; it really means helping others and not being destructive to others. Those who wish to make their lives meaningful through religion can focus on incorporating the teachings of their beliefs into their actual daily acts. Integrating essential teachings into day-to-day life can be a tremendous benefit. There are many religions on earth; today the context of the talk is Buddhist teachings.

In Buddhism, discipline and transformation of the mind are key. The more convinced we are of a particular value by making a commitment, the more likely we can be carried through temptations of distraction. Ideally our wish to attain a goal is grounded in firm conviction, valid reasons and personal experience.

The source of happiness is within ourselves. While we make money and do other material things, it is equally important to be in touch with inner values. To find balance. Ultimately we get more happiness with more compassion for others. In our minds, something can become more natural, easier and more applicable with repetition. Whenever you have spare time, it would be beneficial to reflect on these verses and their meanings.

-Dalai Lama

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My Adopted Dedication:

At times I had to tread
Where not a Star was found
To lead or light me, overhead;
Nor footprint on the ground.

I toiled among the sands
And stumbled with my feet;
Or crawled and climbed with knees and hands
Some future path to beat.

I had to feel the flow
Of waters whelming me:
No foothold to be touched below,
No shore around to see.

Yet, in my darkest night,
And farthest drift from land,
There dawned within the guiding light;
I felt the unseen hand.

Year after year went by,
And watchers wondered when
The diver, to their welcoming cry
Of joy, would rise again.

And still rolled on Time's wave
That whitened as it passed:
The ground is getting toward the grave
That I have reached at last.

Child after child would say—
"Ah, when his work is done, Father will come with us and play—"
'Tis done. But Play-time's gone.

A willing slave for years,
I strove to set men free;
Mine were the Labours, Hopes, and Fears,
Be theirs the Victory.

Gerald Massey

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Employing Power Vs. Force

"We change the world not by what we say or do but as a consequence of what we have become. Thus, every spiritual aspirant serves the world."

-David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D.

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"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

-Marianne Williamson

"A tulip doesn't strive to impress anyone. It doesn't struggle to be different than a rose. It doesn't have to. It is different. And there's room in the garden for every flower.

"You didn't have to struggle to make your face different than anyone else's on earth. It just is. You are unique because you were created that way.

"Look at little children in kindergarten. They're all different without trying to be. As long as they're unselfconsciously being themselves, they can't help but shine. It's only later, when children are taught to compete, to strive to be better than others, that their natural light becomes distorted."

-Marianne Williamson