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Katha Upanishad (circa 1400 BC)
“To many it is not given to hear of the Self. Many, though they hear it, do not understand it. Wonderful is he who speaks of it. Intelligent is he who learns of it. Blessed is he, who taught by a good teacher is able to understand it”
Buddha (circa 530 BC)
“I have taught the truth which is excellent in the beginning, excellent in the middle, and excellent in the end; it is glorious in its spirit and glorious in its letter. But simple as it is, the people cannot understand it. I must speak to them in their own language. I must adapt my thoughts to their thoughts. They are like unto children, and love to hear tales. Therefore, I will tell them stories to explain the glory of the Dharma. If they cannot grasp the truth in the abstract arguments by which I have reached it, they may nevertheless come to understand it, if it is illustrated in parables.”
Tao Te Ching (circa 440 BC)
The Tao that can be followed is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the origin of heaven and earth While naming is the origin of the myriad things. Therefore, always desireless, you see the mystery Ever desiring, you see the manifestations. These two are the same– When they appear they are named differently. This sameness is the mystery, Mystery within mystery; The door to all marvels.
The Gospel According to St. Matthew – Chapter 13 (circa 70 AD)
10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables; because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And unto them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive: 15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.
4-8 year olds when posed question “What is love?”(circa 2000 AD)
“When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.” — Rebecca, age 8
“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth.” — Billy, age 4
“Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.” — Chrissy, age 6
“Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.” — Terri, age 4 “Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.” — Danny, age 7
“If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.” — Nikka, age 6
“When you tell someone something bad about yourself and you’re scared they won’t love you anymore. But then you get surprised because not only do they still love you, they love you even more.” — Matthew, age 7
“Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.” — Tommy, age 6
“During my piano recital, I was on a stage and scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.” — Cindy, age 8
“Love is when mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken.” — Elaine, age 5
“Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.” — Mary Ann, age 4
“When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.” — Karen, age 7
