Richard Rose > Quotes

“There's some things even Enlightenment won't change. If you're a son-of-a-bitch before you visit the Absolute, you’ll still be a son-of-bitch after.”
― Richard Rose

“Once a person has the formula,anything can be changed, even the future. Through determination, a man can discover how to completely change his destiny. There’s thoughts--which are not yours, but come from elsewhere--and there gaps between thoughts. When you get into that gap between thoughts, you have the opportunity to completely reshuffle your life. This may sound impossible to you now, but try not to let your ignorance get in the way of understanding. I have just told you something of priceless value.”
― Richard Rose

“I'd come to realize that if a man is ever going to grasp anything it won't be by learning. His being has to change. You are what you do, not what you know. A man never learns; he becomes. To become, you must find ways and means to change your entire state of mind. This in turn will lead to a change of being.”
― Richard Rose

“Life gives you all the koans you need.”
― Richard Rose

“I come to you as a man selling air,
And you will think twice at the offer and price,
And you will argue that nothing is there,
Although we know that it is - everywhere.

I bring a formula largely untold, -
Of forces mixed with between and betwixt.
And only seen when allowed to unfold.
And better felt when the body is cold.

I have a map to the home of the soul,
Beyond the mind is a golden find, -
The paradox is a guide to the goal, -
Though doubt is sacred, each man is the Whole.”
― Richard Rose, Profound Writings East and West

“You don’t know anything until you know Everything.”
― Richard Rose

“... there is common sense in Zen. And the longer that you follow the self-confrontation, the self-analysis, the better off you are to just live with yourself, and for other people to live with you. Because you drop a lot of the poses which you previously had, and which previously got you into trouble. And you take a new, broader view of things because your egos are not in the way, destroying your friendships, and destroying your family, your financial possibilities even.

... I maintain that Zen is worthwhile. Or I wouldn't have spent these years talking with no financial remuneration... as I hinted before; you become a better person.”
― Richard Rose