Maša Bratuša

“Nobody loved her and she wouldn’t have liked it if they had, she considered love a serious disability.”
― Toni Morrison

“Happy he who was able to know the causes of things (felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas), and who trampled beneath his feet all fears, inexorable fate, and the roar of devouring hell.”
― Virgil, Georgics: Vol 1, Books I-II

“Thus, a good man, though a slave, is free; but a wicked man, though a king, is a slave. For he serves, not one man alone, but what is worse, as many masters as he has vices.”
― Augustine of Hippo, City of God

“THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS


I. Suffering does exist.

II. Suffering arises from "attachment" to desires.

III. Suffering ceases when "attachment" to desire ceases.

IV. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the eightfold path:

1. Right understanding (view).
2. Right intention (thought).
3. Right speach.
4. Right action.
5. Right livelihood.
6. Right effort.
7. Right mindfulness.
8. Rght meditation (concentration).


Buddha's fourfold consolation:

With a mind free from greed and unfriendliness, incorruptible, and purified, the noble disciple is already during this lifetime assure of a fourfold consolation:

“If there is another world (heaven), and a cause and effect (Karma) of good and bad actions, then it may be that, at the dissolution of the body, after death, I shall be reborn in a happy realm, a heavenly world.” Of this first consolation (s)he is assured.

“And if there is no other world, no reward and no punishment of good and bad actions, then I live at least here, in this world, an untroubled and happy life, free from hate and unfriendliness.” Of this second consolation (s)he is assured.

“And if bad things happen to bad people, but I do not do anything bad (or have unfriendliness against anyone), how can I, who am doing no bad things, meet with bad things?” Of this third consolation (s)he is assured.

“And if no bad things happen to bad people, then I know myself in both ways pure.” Of this fourth consolation (s)he is assured.”
― Gautama Buddha