#zen

The Declaration of Independence . . . is much more than a political document. It constitutes a spiritual manifesto—revelation, if you will—declaring not for this nation only, but for all nations, the source of man's rights. Nephi, a Book of Mormon prophet, foresaw over 2,300 years ago that this event would transpire. The colonies he saw would break with Great Britain and that 'the power of the Lord was with [the colonists],' that they 'were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations' (1 Nephi 13:16, 19). "The Declaration of Independence was to set forth the moral justification of a rebellion against a long-recognized political tradition—the divine right of kings. At issue was the fundamental question of whether men's rights were God-given or whether these rights were to be dispensed by governments to their subjects. This document proclaimed that all men have certain inalienable rights. In other words, these rights came from God. ↗

— Ezra Taft Benson

#men

It is a wretched thing that the young men of today are so contriving and so proud of their material posessions. Men with contriving hearts are lacking in duty. Lacking in duty, they will have no self-respect. ↗

— Yamamoto Tsunetomo

#men

The eternity of "anytime" shines in this moment "now" while the unlimitedness of "anyplace" is manifested in the limits of "here." When the universality of "anyone" dances out in the individual "I," for the first time you have the world of Zen. ↗

— Omori Sogen

#inspirational #zen #inspirational

Consider this: 1. Would you ride in a car whose driver was on the consciousness-expanding "entheogenic" drug LSD? And here's a bonus question: 2. Why does an "expanded consciousness" include the inability to operate a motor vehicle? ↗

— Brad Warner

#consciousness #drugs #zen #movies

Think of the jazz improv artist responding to the musical banter among her fellow players onstage. Aside from whatever training they've done in advance, as soon as the curtain opens, they move into unknown territory together, creating something new each time by remaining in a state of undivided presence. ↗

— Donna Quesada

#wisdom #zen #inspirational

My third appeal is to my fellow citizens in all countries: Help us to establish lasting peace in the world. ↗

— Joseph Rotblat

#citizens #countries #establish #fellow #fellow citizens

The truth knocks on the door and you say, "Go away, I'm looking for the truth," and so it goes away. Puzzling. ↗

— Robert M. Pirsig

#truth #zen #inspirational

When you catch yourself slipping into a pool of negativity, notice how it derives from nothing other than resistance to the current situation. ↗

— Donna Quesada

#consciousness-raising #spirituality #yoga #zen #inspirational

Life is a whirlwind of many opportunities. Choose to embrace all of them in deepest gratitude. Learn to forgive yourself and honour the heart that beats within you, as well as the head that rests on your shoulders. Learn how to believe in people again and not be judging or cynical to various beliefs. We are all of one light on this one Earth, and loving humanity makes all the difference. ↗

— Michelle Cruz-Rosado

#forgiveness #gratitude #honor #oneness #opportunities

[F]reedom isn't free. It shouldn't be a bragging point that "Oh, I don't get involved in politics," as if that makes you somehow cleaner. No, that makes you derelict of duty in a republic. Liars and panderers in government would have a much harder time of it if so many people didn't insist on their right to remain ignorant and blindly agreeable. ↗

— Bill Maher

#freedom #government #participation #politics #responsibility