Maximus of Tyre

I love this passage. It is so beautiful. Maximus of Tyre speaks very profoundly. "Let men know what is divine." I like this sentence, because it opens the door to understanding. People should know what is true and divine and beautiful. These things are meant for everyone to share and enjoy. Maximus says that he should not "further examine and pass judgment about images." Meaning that he should not judge what people consider to be images of god. That is my interpretation. Why pass judgment on those who worship the beauty of nature? Nature is beautiful, and can often be attributed to no one other than god, or whomever a person worships. I like this passage, because to me it says; accept everyone, because everyone is entitled to their own opinion and belief of religion. If this wisdom was universally attainable, the world would be so much more peaceful.

Heraclitus

"Opposition brings together, and from discord comes perfect harmony"
This passage is really wonderful. I enjoy all of the short little quotes. This one I like the best, because it is true, and easy to interpret. I think so anyway...
This message is so relevant for all religions, although I think that many have not yet moved on from opposition.
Opposition does bring together, there's no question of that. For example, Bush opposes Iraq and terrorism, and as a result, American soldiers are in Iraq and could be close to terrorism as well. I don't know if harmony will be the result by the time the war on Iraq is over, but I hope that it is. A more ancient topic is the war that the Palestinians and Israelis have been fighting for thousands of years over the holy land. This war, if resolved, although I have no idea how one would go about resolving such deep-rooted anger, could also result in perfect harmony, if gone about in a harmonious manner.

"It is in change that things find rest."
I like this quote because it is perfect for the current state of politics and the presidential race. Change, is a word that both John McCain and Barack Obama have emphasized in their campaigns. And I know that we have strayed here from World Religion, but I think that finding something to connect with is the easiest way to understanding.
Barack Obama presents change in the way that the government functions. He wants to give tax breaks to the middle class, and raise taxes on the rich. Textbook democrat, right? Obama also plans to invest into alternative energy, invest energy into pursing tough, presidential diplomacy with Iran, and wishes to withdraw from Iraq by 2010.
John McCain offers immediate financial help to struggling American citizens, plans to end dependence on foreign oil (eventually), and wishes to establish a strong government of democracy in Iraq.
All of these issues are very irrelevant in some ways to religion, but do present an excellent example of finding rest in change. Change can provide new opportunities, and can eliminate old ideas. In these changes, we can find rest in knowing that our issues have been resolved.
In regards to religion, change provides a new consciousness to focus on. Whether the religion be Judaism or Hinduism, religion offers a new outlook on the world, and on our purpose. Change can provide rest to many difficulties some face in finding a religion that speaks to them, and in that, rest is found.

Muhammad

Yes! Muhammad has it right.
This reading and Muhammad's words are no different than any of the other teachers and other messages that all passages in this book seem to have. This common theme throughout all religious practices shows how connected we all are. All religions are connected because they all have a similar theme. A similar message. A similar idea. A similar law. WHY IS IT SO HARD FOR US TO GET ALONG?! We all have similar, if not the same goals in our religious beliefs! We all seek to find a relationship with our own God. Muhammad said "True religion is surrender." This is absolutely true! And radical religious people should take his words to heart.
Surrender to your God.
Surrender to change.
Surrender to your path.
And surrender to all who upset you because of their religious beliefs!
Its not worth fighting for! I would be soo happy if just once people fought over something important, like food! Why can't we just fight about who gets the most food in the world, INSTEAD of fighting about who is right and wrong in regards to religion.

John the Evangelist

I like John the Evangelist.
I enjoy "Love comes from God, and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God; those who don't love, don't know God; for God is love."
This sentence is so straightforward. It seems that all of these deemed 'Christian' teachers have such an easy outlook to follow. Its as if Christianity was created for Americans. A step by step process.
God is love. This is a truth that cannot be denied. However a person sees God, their God reflects love. How can God not be love? It isn't possible. God is like a father to so many, who loves unconditionally.
In the movie 'V for Vendetta', one of the main characters says 'God is in the rain'. I like that she says this, because who else could be responsible for something so wonderful as the rain?
I also like the idea that God is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. This concept is cool, because it shows that God is a part of everything. Everything that happens to anyone is a part of God, or whomever a person might believe in. God is the spark of all flames.
God may be in the rain, but I understand God the most on a day like today. It is so windy! If God controlls the eco-system than he must be having a crazy day! This wind is such a change from the dry heat that we have had all summer. It is like the wind is blowing life into everything again. The trees haven't quite started to turn brown, and they look SO green today.
If a God exists, he must be responsible for this wind. Nothing earthly could create such a powerful force of life!

Jesus Of Nazareth

This collection of readings is wonderful.
This religion of Christianity with which I am the most familiar, due to where I was raised, has never really been something I've ever been compelled to seek. Perhaps I have been turned off by it because so many people practice the Christian faith. I guess because I am someone who goes against the grain, so to speak, I have never gone out of my way to learn more about Christianity. Furthermore, I don't think that Christianity is a religious practice that I will ever follow.

Just because I am not one for the Christian faith, doesn't mean that Jesus wasn't an amazing being. The power and wisdom that this man had was incredible.
Yes, Jesus was amazing. Yes he did many amazing things. But what is it about him that makes him different than all of the other incredible teachers?

Perhaps it is his teachings of the Kingdom of Heaven. Many other teachers speak of serenity, nirvana, inner peace, Zen....

Jesus is one of the few that placed a specific name on that inner peace that so many seek. He said what many of the other teachers have said. Basically “seek it and if your lucky you will find it”
I like this idea. Its simple. So many other teachers make serenity seem so confusing. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind being confused about spirituality, but Jesus is so blunt about it. So straightforward. This is how it is, in a nutshell. Its like he has condensed all of the ironic nonsense and backward thinking into something that anyone can obtain, even if they are not of a particular faith.

A bit off topic, but:
In my personal opinion, it seems that perhaps the idea of the Kingdom of Heaven has been misconstrued into something that happens when a person dies. Maybe that is something completely separate and unrelated to the Kingdom of Heaven? Seems a little unlikely. I like this Kingdom of Heaven idea because it is obtainable, Christian or not, according to Jesus.

Wu-Men

I like this passage, but I am not entirely sure why. I really don't understand this passage at all...I guess that's why I like it.
This word "Mu" I am curious as to what it means. Focusing on this word, and cracking it open. Not in terms of "has" and "has not".
Perhaps to focus on "Mu" is to not focus on "Mu". Or, focus on "Mu" but not expect to find the answer to "Mu".
Once the focus is put on "mu" it is impossible to get the thought from the mind. The thought never leaves until the answer is found.
This concept is very interesting. This kind of obsession for an answer is relateable. Who doesn't obsess over one thing or another. But to not know what it is that you are obsessing over...that would be...well...curious...
To not know what you want to know, because you know that if you know it, there would be no point in trying to know it.
These are the questions and philosophies that I love the most. They force me to think really really hard, and the answer is not something that comes easily or quickly, but rather never comes, but rather becomes known. We already know the answer that we seek, but we are not aware of it yet.
I would like to know what this word "Mu" is, and why it is so significant. Why do people seek to understand this word, or rather understand what the word means? It must be something like samandhi, or rather peace.
Inward peace and knowingness of purpose and place, and all things. That would be, well, samandhi I guess. I don't think that I would want to know all things and all places and all purposes. Where is the fun in that? Where is the fun in life if you know everything?

The Diamond Sutra

To attain nothing is to attain everything. This is basically the message of this passage I believe. This kind of thought process has always fascinated me, because it challenges me to think beyond myself.

For a number of years, my family has hosted the Tibetan monks to assist them in their travels. The first time they came to us, there were ten very quite, pensive monks. Each monk had a very different personality, and their Lama was an old, silent man who sat in meditation for most of their stay.

Their translator, Sunam was a very funny, excited young monk who entertained my brother and I everyday. He would ask us questions that made Kole (my brother) and I grapple with our minds. He asked questions of thought, of meditation, of spiritual practice that we had never thought to think about. The Lama, who Sunam explained as enlightened, fascinated Kole. When he asked Sunam what made him enlightened, Sunam answered: “He is as enlightened as you, but he has discovered his enlightenment without discovering.” This answer made Kole laugh, because he thought Sunam was telling yet another joke, but Sunam was very serious. I don't think that Kole ever thought about this conversation afterwards, but I remember thinking very seriously about his bizarre answer.

Sunam awakened in me a self awareness of the essence of human beings. His presence in our lives left lasting marks on my whole family, and in a way we experienced a little piece of enlightenment as a result of their presence in our house.

In the Diamond Sutra, the idea that there is no “self” and “others”, but rather the concept that there is “one” consciousness that is a part of us all. I like this concept, it appeals to me in a way that no other teachings do. It is one of the only universal concepts that all religious sects keep. The knowing that we are all one.

I love the line “The Buddha has no doctrine to convey. The truth is ungraspable and inexpressible. It neither is nor is not.” This line allows me to accept what can never be known, and understand that what I wish to know the most, I already know.