John Renard > Quotes

“Each being is simply what it is and it is a serious mistake to treat your world as though it existed for you, as if what you value in each thing is its value. In a sense, the Buddha argued, all things are "empty," in that they simply do not possess the "soul" that a grasping, craving person invests them with. Pile all your expectations onto some person or object as though you truly hope it will deliver what you want, and you are making the fundamental mistake. The notion of non-soul (anatman) is difficult to understand, but it is one of the Buddha's most provocative teachings.”
― John Renard

“And if you are among those who are literate, then impose on yourself reading a section (wird) of the Qurʾān from the written text. [While you are] in your place of retreat, pick up the Qurʾānic text, placing your left hand under the book, while your right hand follows the letters as you are looking at them, raising your voice enough so you hear yourself while you are reciting the Qurʾān. Ask and inquire [of God], with regard to each Sūra, what it is you ought to ask about regarding that. Try to figure out for every verse its special relevance and lesson for you.21”
― John Renard, Islamic Theological Themes: A Primary Source Reader