cleaning out my inbox.

i'm not spiritual by nature. i suppose it may have to do with... ah, who knows. anyway, i really appreciate the buddhists and how serious they are. they're mostly badass in mostly everything that i quantify. discipline. disattached. disarmed. i imagine one doesn't really need to be spiritual to appreciate the view from their eyes.

It is critical to serve others, to contribute actively to others' well-being. I often tell practitioners that they should adopt the following principle: regarding one's own personal needs, there should be as little involvement or obligation as possible. But regarding service to others, there should be as many possible involvements and obligations as possible. This should be the ideal of a spiritual person.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

If we single-pointedly practice great compassion, then, with little effort, we will be able to gain all other virtues.
-Geshe Namgyal Wangchen, "Awakening the Mind"

If we can reach the understanding of what we actually are, there is no better remedy for eliminating all suffering. This is the heart of all spiritual practices.
-Kalu Rinpoche, "Luminous Mind"

For there is suffering, but none who suffers; Doing exists although there is no doer; Extinction is but no extinguished person; Although there is a path, there is no goer.
-Buddhaghosa; Visuddhimagga 513

Every reality is eternal, every essence is as is: just don't seek outwardly. If you have a great root of faith, the buddhas are just states of your own experience; whether you are walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, never is it not this.
-Hsuan-sha

Everywhere, truly,those of integrity stand apart. They, the good, don't chatter in hopes of favor or gains. When touched now by pleasure, now pain, the wise give no sign of high or low.
-Dhammapada, 6

Our first priority should be to prepare a long-term strategy for improving the state of the world that focuses on the coming generations.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Friends, I know nothing which is as tractable as a tamed heart. The tamed heart is indeed tractable.Friends I know nothing which tends toward loss as does an untamed heart. Indeed, the untamed heart tends toward loss.
-from the Anguttara Nikaya

Flow with whatever may happenand let your mind be free; Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate.
-Chuang Tsu
I'm not sure who this guy was, but i'm guessing that he was pretty much a ninja in anything he did.

Fleeting is this world
Growth and decay its very nature
Things spring to being and again they cease
Happy the marvel of them and the peace.
-Nidana Vagga

and my new favorite:

Do not underestimate your ability.
-Geshe Chekawa

for being militantly non-spiritual, this stuff kicks me in the ass.