Ludwig Wittgenstein

I really liked this and thought it was so very true. I love how it said, " The solution of the problem that you see in life is to live in a way that will make what is problematic disappear. The fact that life is problematic means that life doesn't fit into life's shape. So you must change your life, and when it fits into shape, what is problematic disappears". This is a great summary that describes how we need to hit the pitches we are thrown in life and keep moving on. So many people get caught up in the bad things in life they are dealing with and not all the good. They therefore need to allow their life to fit into life's shape and realize all the good that can come from their life. I also like how it said, " The truth can be spoken only by someone who already lives inside it; not by someone who still lives in untruth and only sometimes reaches out from untruth toward it". My dad has always told me actions speak louder than words. This has really rung out to me in everyday life and with those that I associate with. You can really tell of those who are a part of the truth. This is shown through their actions and the way they manifest themselves. This is why I feel that there is no better way to show people the truth than by your example and the way you live your life. This was a great speech. 

Isaac of Nineveh

Wow this was an awesome speech and had some really interesting and true points. I like how is said, and described the love that people have. When it said, "There is love like a small lamp, which goes out when the oil is consumed; or like a stream, which dries up when it doesn't rain. But there is a love that is like a mighty spring gushing up out of the earth; it keeps flowing forever and is inexhaustible". I really like hoe he says this. I think there are people like a lamp, they love only a certain few and get made rather easy. Then there are those have a stream, love others and want to help others but get made on occasion. There are then those like a spring, who love everyone and are always looking for ways to help others, those that change the world. I also like how it says when we pray to forget ourselves and dont fill your prayers with things that will benefit you. Rather we need to realize all that we have. It reads, " At every moment we trust out Father in heaven, whose love infinitely surpasses the love of all earthly fathers and who gives us more than we ourselves could ask for or ever imagine". We have so much that we dont realize all that we are blessed with. We need to take a step back and come to a realization of all we have and look for ways of how to help others. This was a great speech. 

Symeon The New Theologian

I liked this speech and loved how it was simple and short but profound. I liked how it begins, when it reads, " When a man walks into the sea up to his knees or waist, he can see the water all around him. But when he dives into the water, he can no longer see anything outside, and he knows only that his whole body is in the water. This is what happens to those who plunge into the visions of God". I think when someone really has a desire to learn something they really need to read and want to know. They cant be half way in the water but need to fully dive into the truth and wanting to know. Once they immerse themselves in the truth it is much easier to learn and grow allowing yourself to become a better person. I love how it said,"the more a man enters the light if understanding, the more aware he is of his own ignorance". Once a person finds the light it is much easier for him/her to grow and realize how much they have to learn. The light of truth enables the ignorance to be uncovered, which allows learning to take place enriching lives of many. Once we take a step back and realize that truth will only help us, it is much easier to see the whole picture and learn and grow from every life experience. 

Abu Abdallah Al-Harith Al-Muhasibi

I really liked this speech and thought it was cool how it started out. I liked when it said, "When love is established in the heart of a servant of god, there is no place there for remembrance of men or demons or of Paradise of Hell, or for anythings except the remembrance of the Beloved and his grace". I think that as we have good things in our life it is much harder for bad things to over take us when we are associated with good things that uplifting. I also like how it said, " This is the description of the lovers of God, who do righteousness, who are gifted with heavenly wisdom, who are on their guard both day and night, pure in thoughts, those whom God has prepared for his service, whom he has preserved by his care, whom he has invested with his own authority". Those who love God and have a true meaning of what love means really strive to go about doing good and helping others with a positive attitude. They know what love is and therefore want to share the love that God has given them with others around them. I really like how it continues, " They are completely satisfied, for they live the good life, their bliss is eternal and their joy is made perfect and they possess an everlasting treasure within their hearts". I think those that serve others dont need a reward but rather enjoy seeing those who they help serve express joy and happiness. They have a everlasting treasure within their hearts and that is they joy they get from helping others. 

Thomas Traherne 1637-1674

I thought this speech started of with a very profound statement. When it said, " You never enjoy the world aright till you see how a sand exhibits the wisdom and power of God; and prize in everything the service which they do you by manifesting His glory and goodness to your soul, far more than the visible beauty on their surface or material services they can do your body". I think those that really see the beauty of the world are those that can see the simple things of nature. They dont need a masterpiece to see the beauty and realize that beauty is everywhere. I really liked what it said about having respect for other. How much of a difference it would make and how much better the world would be if people followed this passage. " Your enjoyment is never right till you esteem every soul so great a treasure as the savior does". As you look at others with greater respect as the savior does, it allows you to see the good in others and realize everybody has the chance to do good in the world. If everyone esteemed every soul so great a treasure as the savior does, we wouldn't have wars, robberies, murders, and so many things that destroy other peoples lives. I really liked this speech and thought that it had many profound things that we can follow to help make the world a better more enjoyable place to live. 

Abu Sa'id Ibn Abi'l Khayr (967-1049)

I really liked this speech and thought that it had alot of interesting points. I thought it was cool how it said, " But still you think "I Love" and find no rest until you perceive that it is god who loves you and keeps you in the state of loving, and that this is the result of divine love and grace, not of your own endeavor". I think to many people get caught up in themselves when in reality think it is me, me, me. People that get themselves into trouble are those that think I can do it al myself i dont need anyones help, when truly god gives us our opportunities to do good in life. I also like how it said, "then god opens to you the gate of unity and causes you to know that all action depends on god almighty". I really liked when it talked about not talking bad about others. It said, " if men wish to draw near to God, they must seek him in the hearts of men. They should speak well of all men, whether present or absent, and if they themselves seek to be a light to guide others, then, like the sun, they must show the same face to all". I think some people act one way around a certain people and another way around others. When in reality if they are trying to be a light they should be the same around everyone. I loved how it closed, when it reads, " The true man of God sits in the the midst of his fellow-men, and rises and eats and sleeps and marries and buys and sells and gives and takes in the bazaars and spends the days with other people, and yet never forgets God even for a single moment". How true that is, every man who is a man of god never forgets him and keeps him at the top of their list in all their activities. You those who are really men of God through their actions and the way they live their lives. GREAT SPEECH. 

Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862

I really liked this speech and thought it was full of some profound ideas. I loved how it said, " 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". I really like how that was stated. It reminded me of the scripture passage that we must become as a little child to enter into the gates of the kingdom. Little children are so pure, innocent and have such a positive outlook on life. We need to look to children as the example, how to treat others and forgive and forget. I also like how it said, " when we are unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have permanent and absolute existence, that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of reality". Wow. This is awesome and really shows that we need to take a step back in life and look at what really matters. That although we may get caught up in small or petty things they are just shadows of reality. When we take a step back and are unhurried, we see the things that bring joy and happiness, rather then getting mad and caught up with the tiny things of life. When we get busy step back, calm down and look at life with the same perspective of a child. This was a great speech. 

Ralph Waldon Emerson 1803-1882

This was an awesome speech and had some awesome points within it. I really liked how it said, " the world looks like a multiplication-table, or a mathematical equation, which turn it how you will, balances itself ". How true that is, everywhere you look there is good and bad in some way, shape or form. Where there are trees and flowers so will there be weeds. Where there are good people, so are there bad people. There are bad people, I think, to help the good people learn patience, kindness to everyone no matter how mean they are. I also like how it said, "Every act rewards itself, or in other words integrates itself, in a twofold manner". Or in other words for every action there is a consequence. When you are good to others, they will in turn help others, and everyone can enjoy the attitude of helping other. The same thing goes for those who steal and hurt others. Someday they will be punished and they will have to deal with the consequences of their actions. This was a very good speech and had alot of positives points that are great for everyone to take into account. 

The Hermetic Writings 3rd Century

Wow. I really liked the message of this writing. I liked how it said, " Realize that nothing is impossible for you; recognize that you too are immortal and that you can embrace all things in your mind". How true that is. Nothing can stop you if you have the right attitude. If you want to bad enough you can accomplish anything. Nothing is impossible, if you want to become a millionaire, work hard, if you to be a certain profession, do well in school and you can accomplish anything. I liked how is said, " wanting to know God is the road that leads to God, and it is an easy road to travel". As we have a desire to become like God and be better as a person, it is easier to move forward in what we choose to do. It then says, " God will come to meet you everywhere, he will appear to you everywhere, in all times and places when you least expect it". Although we dont realize it, God is everywhere. He created the world and all things within it. He is there for us in everything we do and wants what is best for us. He puts different tools in our life to help us out and make us better people. This was a great speech and had some awesome insight. 

Heraclitus 6th-5th Century B.C.E

I really liked some of the points in the speech and thought they had awesome meaning. I liked how it started the speech of by saying,"all things flow". I think it is up to us a person to decide if we will make all things flow. Or if we will get upset and out of order if everything doesn't go our way. It is our responsibility as individuals to take control of our life and as a result make things flow, no matter what comes our way. It then goes on to say, " the sun is new everyday". Everyday is a new day. We can learn, forget tomorrow and better our lives and the people we are day by day. They sun is new everyday and we too can change and be a new person everyday. I loved how it said, " opposition brings together, and from discord comes perfect harmony".  As we are able to associative ourselves with others that have different perspectives and are opposite we become more well-rounded as people. The more things that we are a part of that are opposite from ourselves, we are able to know how to react and treat others that are different. In turn this opposition helps us to become better, more knowledgeable people. I thought that the second to last line had the most meaning. It said, " to men, some things are good and some things are bad. But to God, all things are good and beautiful and just". Although it is so easy to have a negative attitude towards different things, it is our choice how we will see and appreciate things. God knows that all things are just and beautiful and knows the importance and reason for each and everything. We need to have a better attitude towards all things allowing us to see the importance, with the same eye that God sees things. This was a great speech and very important. 

Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali 1058-1111

I really like how this speech starts off. It reads, " All beauty is loved by those who are able to perceive beauty, for the perception of beauty is a delight in itself ". When people are able to become more aware of beauty they come to a greater appreciation or the many beautiful things. It then goes on to talk about all of the many things with beauty, the birds, trees, plants, running water, flowers, etc. It then says, " It cannot be denied that where beauty is perceived it is natural to love it, an if it is certain that god is beauty, he must be loved  by those whom his beauty and his majesty are revealed". We see the many beautiful things that god has made and know that he is the creator and maker of all beauty. We come to an appreciation that god has made all these beautiful things for our good and how much he wants us to do good. Everything that is good is from god. It reads, " In truth, there is nothing good or beautiful or beloved in this world that does not come from his lovingkindness and is not the gift of his grace, a draught from the sea of his bounty". Although it may be hard to realize that all good things come from god, as we do, it will be easier to look for the positive instead of the negative. This will allow us to come to realize that god wants the best for us and in doing so he gives us his friends, family and this beautiful world to learn and grow. Great speech. 

Muhammad 570-632

One thing that I found very interesting was that Islam meant, "surrender to god". When you do this your life really does change and you have a whole different perspective in how you look at life, others and the world in which you live. I really liked how it said that, "all that is in the heavens and in the earth magnifies god". In other words everything that is good comes from god, in some way or another. The beauty of the trees comes from god, the sparkling lakes and rushing rivers, all aspects of good are from god. Animals come from god, people come from god, all positive things come from god. I also like how it said, " Do not despise the world, for the world too is god". Wherever you turn is God's face". Pretty much god is everywhere. He knows the desires and thoughts that you have, whether they be good or whether they be bad. He knows who we are as people and can help us when we struggle. He may put people in our path to uplift us or may help us in other ways, but he knows who we are as individuals. I really like the last two sentences of the speech. It closes it off and really makes you come to think. He says, " Whoever knows himself knows god". "True religion is surrender". As we come to an understanding off our self and out potential we realize who god really is and the important role he can play in our lives. Lastly as we surrender our lives to god and do good with our lives and actions, this is when we truly come to know about god and his religion. This was a great speech. 

John the Evangelist 1st-2nd Century

I thought this had a great message. It was easy to understand, but was short and sweet and still very profound. I thought it was interesting when it said, "in the beginning was the word, and the word was with god, and the word was god". I thought that it meant, that Jesus was the first born, he was the beginning, he had the word from his father, and he had the authority to spread his message, meaning he was the word. It then said, " to all who receive him, he gives power to become the children of god". If we will except his message in hopes to be come better people, he will help us as we put in our effort to do our best. Whether that be through our trails or problems we encounter in everyday life. The next quote I really liked and thought it was very true. It reads, " you will know the truth and the truth will make you free". I thought of just one example of how this was true in my life. It is different in all religions but it relates to a health code, or set of commandments. I have had people tell me that because I don't drink I cant have fun, but rather I look at it as a freedom I can have. Alcohol impairs your brain and slows down your thought process. Therefore I can be free and make decisions on my own because I have the truth and it makes me free rather than restricting me and impairing my brain, often putting others in dangerous situations. This was a great speech and I thought it was very true. 

Jesus of Nazareth 4 BCE-30 CE

I thought this was an awesome message and started out using a very profound statement. I love how is said, " Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you, so that you may be children of your father in heaven". If everyone followed this simple quote of guidance our world would be so much better off. We wouldn't have people killing others in retaliation to get back, rather they would be praying for those who mistreat them and blessing those that curse them. It then goes on to say, "For this is what wordily people seek; and your father knows that you need these things. But seek first for the kingdom of god and these things will be given to you as well".  I love how it he says this so simply. That when we seek for the kingdom of god, he will give us the other things as we strive to do good. This message is full of so many profound statements that are no long and wordy and rung out. "Ask, and it will be given you; seek and you will find;  knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives' and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened". I interpreted this, that as we do our part and give everything our all we will be able to achieve things that matter to us. I also liked how it said, " dont judge, and you will not be judged; dont condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven". As we work to be the best we can and treat others with respect our god will judge us just as we treated others. This was a great message and had some awesome advice and insight. 

Chang-Tzu 369-286 BCE

This speech was very interesting to me in the way that he look upon certain things. I loved when he said, "Everything has its that, Everything has its this". He then goes on to talk about this and that. He then concludes by saying , " so I say, the best thing to use is clarity". I think so many people get caught up in thinking about things when in actuality they are simple. I love how he says, " what is acceptable we call acceptable, what is unacceptable we call unacceptable". He puts things in such simple terms that it is easy to understand. I thought some of the things that he said were very profound. He said, There is a beginning. There is not yet beginning to be a beginning. There is not yet beginning to be a not yet beginning to be not yet a beginning". I think he is trying to prove that things are what they are. We as individuals make things more complicated then they really are. We just need to step back and see things in the bigger picture in clear view. When he said, " I want to speak some reckless words and I want you to listen to them recklessly". I think this saying really goes to prove that we hear things and they are what they are. We dont need to transform them into something greater. Everything comes in a certain form for a reason. Take what you hear, learn form it but dont try to transform it. As we make things more simple life will be easier as it will be easier to comprehend things and grow. 

TZU-SSU 482-402 B.C

This writing really interested me and I thought that it has some very interesting points. I thought it was true how it said, "Thus the mature person looks into his own heart and respects what is unseen and unheard". I think people that can view the whole picture and look to the future trying to understand what will effect them throughout their life, not just in the present day. Another saying I really could relate to was, "Once we find the center and achieve harmony, heaven and earth take there proper places, and all things are fully nourished". I thought of the saying, once we achieve things that really matter, the things of less importance will fall into place. We need to focus on things of larger importance that make us better people and the smaller aspects will follow, later in life. I also like how it stated the golden rule. It said, "Don't do to others what you wouldn't want don't to do". I think so many people get caught up in me, me, me and dont realize how they are treating others. Yet they feel that they should be treated just as good as everyone else. If everyone lived by this rule it would be much easier for others to get along and our world would be more peaceful. One last thing that I really enjoyed in the reading was when it said, " The mature person accepts his situation and doesn't desire anything outside of it. If he finds himself rich and honored, he acts as a rich man should act; if he is poor, he acts as a poor man should act". This was a great part of the speech and I thought it was great advice. We need to live within our means and not worry about others, and the things they have. So many people are envious towards others. This leads to worse things such as stealing, murder, things terrible things could have been avoided if these people didnt worry about others and focused on their situation. This was an excellent speech. 

Shunryu Suzuki 1905-1971

This was a great reading and had some awesome sayings. One thing that really stuck out to me was when it said, " When we lose our balance we die, but at the same time we also develop ourselves, we grow. Whatever we see is changing, losing its balance. The reason everything looks beautiful is because it is out of balance". I thought this was so true that most almost everything in nature is extremely beautiful because it has contrast and things are always changing. The leaves on trees, shapes and sizes of things in nature, everything has its own individual beauty. On the other hand most things that are man made and that come from factories are not very beautiful, not full of life. For example tools, cars, books, buildings, are not very beautiful as they are not of nature and rarely change. It then continues to say, "This is how everything exists in the realm of Buddha nature". Too many people get caught up in material goods and not the things that really matter. These manmade things will get broken, lost, stolen, but the things of nature will constantly bring beauty and happiness. I also really liked how it said, " We must have a beginners mind, free from possessing anything, a mind that knows everything is in flowing change". When it said to have a beginners mind it made me think of a child's mind. How they are just born, starting fresh, they are so innocent and pure, so beautiful. If we can put on a child's mind then things will flow so much better, rather than if we get caught up in the worldly possessions and things that dont really matter. This was an awesome reading, and sparked new ideas. 

The Buddha 563-483 BCE

I really liked this reading and thought that it had some awesome points that were really true. I liked how it stated his message that he taught throughout his life in just one sentence. When it said, " You are all Buddhas. There is nothing that you need to achieve. Just open your eyes". I think alot of people get caught up in achieving things or completing tasks, they dont realize what really matters. Lie how to get money, a house, belongings, etc. If we do the things that matter those things will fall into place. Rather I think we should be more aware of our world around us. How we can help others, what we can do to make the world a better place to live, not focus so much on materials things. I also really liked how it said, "When you realize that something is unwholesome and bad for you give it up. And when you realize that something is wholesome and good for you, do it". How simple and true that is. But is that it is so hard for some to apply to themselves. Just because something may make you happy that is not what will matter in the end. I thought it was interesting and rather odd, that it said to let go of even the most profound insight and most wholesome teaching. Why would you let go of those things if that make you better as a person? That doesn't make sense to forget important teachings. I like how it closes and says, "Be a lamp to yourself. Be your own confidence". Dont worry about what others do, but be confident and be a light to yourself and to others that they can look to. I really enjoyed this reading. 

Philo (20 BCE- 50 BCE)

I really liked how the first part of this writing began and thought it was very true. That said, " God loves to give, and freely bestows good things on all people even the imperfect, inviting them to participate in virtue and to love it". Everything we have comes from god, every good thing is from god, he loves to bless people with his good works and creations. I thought it was crazy when it said that the true name of eternity is Today. I thought eternity was forever, never ending, not just today. I also enjoyed when it said, " His nature is absolutely perfect, or rather, God is the height, the goal and the limit of happiness". It then continues on, there is nothing outside himself he needs, but he has given some of his beauty to all beings, from the foundation of beauty; himself. This reminded me of the scripture that says we are created in gods image and in like manner. He is perfect and forever happy and he knows the ways to attain happiness and joy. I agreed when it said, according to Moses, the goal of wisdom is laughter and play. We need to have fun, enjoy life as it comes and goes and live everyday as if it were your last. This last saying was my favorite of the whole writing, when it says, " When the righteous man searches for the nature of all things, he makes his own admirable discovery: that everything is God's grace. Every being in the world, and the world itself, manifests the blessings and generosity of god". We are so fortunate to live in a world with all of our needs and most of our wants, we have so much and have no reason to complain about the little things in life. 

The Bible

One part that really stuck out at me was when it said, " You shall love the Unnamable with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your strength". I though that it was very interesting that it said to love the unnamable. Another thing that I really enjoyed, something that I have loved all my life, was, " love your neighbor as yourself". We need to treat others with respect, kindness and love if thats how we want others to treat us. Kindness is what makes the world go round, continue to be kind and you will be happy. One quote that I also thought was very interesting was when it said, "a great wind tore the mountains and shattered the rocks;but the Unnamable was not in the wind" it goes on to tell of an earthquake, and fire, but the Unnamable was in neither of those. "And after the fire a still, small voice". That although god had power over all these things he came and spoke with a still small voice. We don't need to be afraid of god, he is there to help us and be our friend, he is ready to answer with a still, small voice. One last thing in the reading that was insightful to me was when it said, " I have put my truth in your innermost mind, and have written it in your heart". In other words he has made the truth know unto us and has branded it on our soul. I love the closing when he says, " be still and know that I am god". We dont need to worry if we do our best and live our life as good as we can, everything will turn out alright. 

Padmasambhava (8th Century)

The first thing in this reading that really made me think was when it said, " I have arrived at the time of death, I will adopt only the attitude of the enlightened state of mind, friendliness, compassion, and attain perfect enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings as limitless as space". When I looked up in the dictionary the word sentient it said, "being able to perceive and feel things". Why when they are close to death would they want to have this enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings? Perceive means to, "come to realize or understand". Wouldn't you want to understand things before you die so you are able to help and benefit others? This really made me think what it was saying and trying to get across to the reader. I also enjoyed when he talked about our minds in their true state are immaculate, transparent, timeless. He then continues to compare our wisdom to the current of a mighty river, continuous and unstoppable(just as Chief Seattle did with his people)and says, to know whether it is true or not look inside your own mind. He continues to say, "when you realize all  phenomena-"a fact or situation, observed to exist or happen", are as unstable as air, they lose their power to fascinate and bind you. To know whether it is true look inside your own mind. I love how he leaves it up to us to look inside ourselves to see whether it is true. He continues all though out his speech to say if you want to know if it is true or not, look in to your own mind. I loves the words he uses and how he incorporates the different aspects of his speech, it was great. 

Ramana Maharshi

This speech really made me think and have a different point of view. I loved how he said, " wanting to reform the world without discovering one's true self is like trying to cover the whole world with leather to avoid the pain of walking on stones and thorns. It is much simpler to wear shoes". When I read this it made me think of something my dad told me, "don't throw stones at others, when you live in a glass house". Meaning don't try to better others when you still have faults and short comings that you need to work on. I also like when he said, " silence is a perennial flow of language, interrupted by words. It is like electricity. When there is resistance to its passage, it glows as a lamp or resolves as a fan". "Silence is the eternal flow of language". That although one may be silent they are still full of words, just arranging the words and how to best speak them. When he was talking about how god's grace was in the beginning, middle and end. He continues to say, when you pray for gods grace, you are like someone crying for water standing neck deep in it. Gods grace is everywhere it is up to us to receive his grace in our life. This speech is great and really made me think what he had to say. 

Chief Seattle

I thought is was very interesting when he said the sky has pitied our fathers for many hundred of years. How does he know this and what makes him think this? I liked how he compared his words to the stars, and how he says they do not set. You can really tell that he loves earth and nature as he makes many comparisons to the world. He says that the White Chief's people are as the grass that covers the plain, and his people are few like the trees. I also like how he compares the people covering the land to a flood tide in the wind. It was very interesting that he said, "your god loves your people and hates mine" and that "god is prejudice". He continues to make relations to the earth and says that his people are as an ebb tide, never returning. I enjoyed that he was respectful to the graves of their fathers and viewed them as sacred, but didn't like how he said that they leave their fathers graves behind and don't care. I loved how he views the earth, all in sacred by his people, every hill, and clearing and wood. I love his many comparisons he uses between his people and the earth but don't agree with how he views the white man's god. 

SO-GO-YE-WAT-HA

This reading had some great points and positive insight. I thought that as the missionary left and the indians extended their hands as a sign of parting friendship, the missionary was very quick to judge them and say that there is no friendship between the religion of god and the devil. I think that we need to be more accepting of people and not so quick to judge. I liked it when he said he knows that the great spirit is pleased with their actions, because he blesses them. I also liked that they said that everything came from the great spirit. That when we are hungry, the forest is filled with game, when we are thirsty, we drink at his pure streams. Everything they have and take part in they know it came from the great spirit. It was very interesting to me when so-go-ye-wat-ha said that it doesn't matter the form of worship, but rather how sincere the heart is when you worship. I really enjoyed that when he closed his speech he was very kind to the missionary and said that as we part we hope the great spirit is with you to protect you. Despite what the missionary said or did he was still very kind. I really enjoyed this reading.