One of the greatest blocks to loving kindness is our own sense of
unworthiness. If we leave ourselves out of the circle of love and
compassion, we have misunderstood.
– Jack Kornfield

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A human being is a part of the whole, called by us,
“Universe,” a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself,
his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest — a
kind of optical delusion of his consciousness.

This delusion is a
kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to
affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free
ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to
embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.
Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such
achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for
inner security.

– Albert Einstein – (1879-1955) Physicist and Professor

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Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your
heart. Trouble no one about his religion. Respect others in their views
and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life,
beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and of
service to your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you
go over the great divide.

Always give a word or sign of salute
when meeting or passing a friend, or even a stranger, if in a lonely
place. Show respect to all people, but grovel to none. When you rise in
the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your
strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you
see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.

Abuse
no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs
the spirit of its vision. When your time comes to die, be not like
those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their
time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their
lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like
a hero going home.

– Tecumseh (1768-1813), Shawnee Chief

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