Society has provided [children] no rituals by which they become members of the tribe, of the community. All children need to be twice born, to learn to function rationally in the present world, leaving childhood behind.

The priests used to say that faith can move mountains, and nobody believed them. Today the scientists say that they can level mountains, and nobody doubts them.

Economics and politics are the governing powers of life today, and that's why everything is so screwy.

The function of ritual, as I understand it, is to give form to human life, not in the way of a mere surface arrangement, but in depth.

The psychotic drowns in the same waters in which the mystic swims with delight.

The god you worship is the one you're capable of becoming.

Perfection isn't human. Human beings are not perfect. What evokes our love--and I mean love, not lust--is the imperfection of the human being. So, when the imperfection of the real person peaks through, say, 'This is a challenge to my compassion.' Then make a try, and something might begin to get going.