Einstein

This writing had such simple yet profound truth.

"A human being is part of the whole that we call the 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 illusion of his consciousness. This illusion is a prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for only the few people nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living beings and all of nature."

Wow, what an insightful and polite way of saying, "Hey man, it's not all about you (or what you believe)." I love how Einstein expressed the concept of people needing to get outside themselves, and it's even for their own good. It seems contradictory, since it makes sense to be thinking about oneself, our thoughts, feelings and personal desires. But those can be consuming and cut us off from people and life going on around us. Sometimes this can happen subtly, and under the guise of seemingly good things. In my personal experience, I was involved in a very conservative church, until I went through a divorce. I felt divorce was bad, so I tried to avoid it; but in the end it was the best outcome of the available options. Before the divorce, I was so wrapped up in the ultra conservative church and lifestyle, that although I meant well and was trying to do the right thing; I am sure I missed many opportunities to love other people who didn't fit our church 'profile.' Then, when I went through the divorce, the people from outside my church 'profile' were some of the most loving people I met! How much of life did I miss out on before that, because I couldn't see passed my 'prison?!' I am so glad to be free! Do I still love God? Yes. Do I still go to church? Yes, but not a really conservative one. :) Ultimately, I thank God for freeing me and allowing me to see how great all kinds of people are. He allowed me the privilege of widening my "circle of compassion to embrace all living beings and all of nature." I never want to live in a short-sighted box again! Personally, I think there is too much great living to do outside the box.

Thoreau

I really like how straightforward Thoreau's writings are.

"When we are unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence, that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of the reality." Sometimes it can be so easy to get distracted away form what's most important, and lose focus. It's important to keep only the truly 'big things' as 'big things,' and not let other things get out of perspective. It can be very destructive to major in the minors of life.

"Children, who play life, discern its true law and relations more clearly than men, who fail to live it worthily, but who think they are wiser by experience, that is, by failure." Kids see things so much more clearly and simply than adults do sometimes. Details are allowed to complicated things. I wanted my kids to develop critical thinking skills, so when they were growing up I would seize opportunities to let them come up with solutions to things, instead of arbitrarily implementing my adult solution. I was amazed at their ideas. They came up with things I hadn't even thought of! The simplicity and purity of thought children have is inspiring! Now if only they could do my homework! :)

"The universe constantly and obediently answers to our conceptions; whether we travel fast or slow, the track is laid for us." We really have more input and power in our lives than we might think. It pays to use wisdom in your thought life and outward life, for what we sow we reap.

Al-Misri

The introduction is powerful and inspiring. "Why is it that we become more humble as we become more like God?...we are nothing, but the light is all." Maybe though, we become more like God because we become more humble? As we get our pride out of the way, we make room for improvement by enlightenment and growth. The last sentence, "Compassion is another name for clarity," just caught me and I said, "Wow." That is so amazing. Truly as we see things clearly, we are more compassionate.

Then on to the main reading. Again, I am amazed at the similarity of this reading to the Bible. He says so many of the same things to the saints that God says to His saints in the Bible. (saints, treasures of the invisible, abstinent, God-fearing, healing, directing others to him, loving others, not sinning, predestination, elect, apointed servants, saints are his and he is theirs) It is so weird. I know they are not the same book, and I do not mean to offend anyone of either faith. It is just so similar that it almost seems that parts of it could be another translation of the Bible. It definitely seems Muhammad was inspired by the Jewish Bible. Since I knew very little, to nothing, about Muhammad, I was really surprised by the similarities.

Muhammad

I was surprised that when I read this reading, it sounded very much like I was reading from a Bible. Muhammad talks about God as "the first and last", "He makes the night give way to the day and the day to the night, and He knows the innermost heart." Muhammad even says God "created the heavens and the earth in six days and then assumed His throne." Those sound like quotes right out of the Bible. That really amazed me.

I have seen and heard so much of the differences of faiths, that to hear such similarities, really surprised me. That doesn't erase the differences, but it does help me gain some common ground and understanding.