It is said that if one chooses to pray to a rock with enough devotion, even that rock will come alive.

Self-discipline leads to higher spiritual states only if practiced with under- standing. The clearer the goal, the greater the result.

By being receptive, we can avail ourselves of the spiritual wealth available to us. By being open, we can receive things beyond what we ourselves might imagine.

Whether we remain the ash or become the phoenix is up to us.

We need faith, not because there are beings who will punish us or reward us, but because gods are a wonderful way of describing things that are happening to us.

Only when peace lives within each of us, will it live outside of us. We must be the wombs for a new harmony. When it is small, peace is fragile. Like a baby, it needs nurturing attention. We must protect peace from violence and perversion if it is to grow. We must be strong to do this. But force, even in the name of honor, is always tragic. Instead, we must use the strength of wisdom and conscience. Only that power can nurture peace in this difficult time.

Rain scatters plum petals; Weeping stains the earth. One can only take shelter And wait for clearing.