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.

Dame Julian of Norwich

I wanted to write on this reading because it looks like she might be the only female writer in our book, and I liked some of what she had to say.

There were a few sayings that caught my attention in this reading. First, "God made it, loves it, keeps it...truly the Maker, the Lover, and the Keeper." That is a pretty complete set of actions that caught my eye. Also, she talks about never having full rest or bliss til she is so connected to God that "there is no created thing between my God and me." What a peaceful feeling she is describing, to feel at one with the Maker, Lover, Keeper. I think that's a powerful idea.

"...for all that is beneath Him is not sufficient for us." That is such an interesting way to say that things of creation will not be enough for us...people, things, money...nothing but God will be good enough for us, and when we turn toward Him and away from stuff, we are able to receive spiritual rest.

"...enclosed in the goodness of God." I don't think I've ever heard that term before. It seems beautiful to me.

"...for our natural will is to have God, and the good will of God is to have us, and we can never cease willing or loving till we have him in fullness of joy." I really appreciated the focus on love and goodness here. That really cuts to the chase.

"Know it well, love was His meaning." I think sometimes man-made religious systems can (inadvertently?) get people distracted from the core of God's intention of love. I'm not saying all organized religion is bad, I'm just saying I don't think it should take away from the whole reason for being of faith in the first place.

John the Evangelist

"To all who receive him, he gives the power to become children of God."

"The Spirit you have received from Him..."

Yesterday in class we were talking about how some people say a step to salvation is saying a prayer to ask Jesus into your heart and receive Him as your savior. I wonder if the two readings above are where that kind of thinking came from.

The Gospel of Thomas

"When we change the way we see the world, we change the world." That is one of the most powerful things I have read in The Enlightened Mind. It is so true that our perspective really does affect us, our actions, our experiences, and consequently the world. When people look at the world through defensive angry eyes, it negatively colors their interactions with other people and how they receive what comes into their lives. That negativity can become a downward spiral that draws others down it too, and the negative cycle just continues on until someone stops it. Likewise, the opposite perspective can reap many blessings. A perspective of love and generosity can feed a positive outlook as positive interactions and experiences strengthen it. It is enjoyable to be around loving people. Spread the love around...it's a whole lot more fun than the alternative.

Jesus said, "Blessed are those who have chosen their solitude, for they will find the kingdom of heaven." As much as I enjoy spending time with friends and family, I have found times of solitude refreshing. Taking time to read inspiring books and pray gives me strength and peace.

The disciples said to him, "Tell us who you are, so that we can trust you." Jesus said, "You search for me through heaven and earth, but you don't know the one who is right before your eyes, because you don't know how to search into this very moment." Psalm 139:7-12 in the Bible talks about God being everywhere. Even when the disciples had Jesus face-to-face they still wanted to confirm Jesus' presence. I wonder how often people are searching for answers in life, and if they only knew how to "search into this very moment" they would see that God is active all around them and may have even placed the answer right in their midst.