E=mc2?

[Bruce]

A human being is part of the whole called by us 'universe', a part
limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and
feelings as something separated from the rest - a kind of optical
delusion of his consciousness.

This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal
desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us.

Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our
circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of
nature in its beauty.

Albert Einstein

[Bruce]

On a somewhat similar note....

Beware of confining yourself to a particular belief and denying all else, for much good would elude you. Indeed, the knowledge of Reality would elude you. Be yourself for all forms of belief, for God is too vast and tremendous to be restricted to one belief rather than another.

Ibn 'Arabi (13th century Spanish Sufi)

[belgareth]

It really is amazing how so many philosophies can each claim to be exclusive when they all teach much the same things. Just reading the quotes you've put here remind me of listening to my teachers.

[bronzie]

Bruce, since you live in Japan, do you think you have been at all influenced by Zen Buddist religion / tradition and philosophy? Reason I say this, is because some of the things you said reflect this religion/tradition or philosophy, whatever someone wants to call it.

[Bruce]

I don't live in Japan any longer, but I did live there as well as China, India and Thailand, and no doubt have been greatly influenced by those years.

[bronzie]

On a somewhat similar note....

Beware of confining yourself to a particular belief and denying all else, for much good would elude you. Indeed, the knowledge of Reality would elude you. Be yourself for all forms of belief, for God is too vast and tremendous to be restricted to one belief rather than another.

Ibn 'Arabi (13th century Spanish Sufi)

People throughout history, and today identify with one exclusive religion, a particular cause, a tradition, reason is they forment a culture around these ideologies for a sense of belonging and familiarity, in a often harsh world that they cannot themselves deal with alone and cannot explain. Fundamentalism and fanatacism stems from bieng ignorant and closed minded to anything else, and when coupled with a religion or ideology that preaches intolerance and superiority, this breeds danger, as the world has discovered recently.

[bronzie]

I don't live in Japan any longer, but I did live there as well as China, India and Thailand, and no doubt have been greatly influenced by those years.

I want to visit Tibet, Larsa.

Good movie to watch is from Martin Scorsace, called Kundun. If anyone is interested in Tibet or Dalai Lama.

I see why you are influenced by the countries you mentioned.

[Holmes]

I don't live in Japan any longer, but I did live there as well as China, India and Thailand, and no doubt have been greatly influenced by those years.

Where in India?

[Bruce]

Moved around a lot from ashram to ashram: Benares, Calcutta, Puttaparthi, Bangalore, a place called Ananda Nagar (not the one from the book on Calcutta)