Gaze into the fire, into the clouds, and as soon as the inner voices begin to speak... surrender to them. Don't ask first whether it's permitted, or would please your teachers or father or some god. You will ruin yourself if you do that.
Interpretation
Embrace your inner thoughts and creativity without seeking approval from others.
This quote by Hermann Hesse encourages individuals to connect deeply with their internal thoughts and feelings. It suggests that true creativity and self-discovery come from surrendering to one's inner voice, rather than conforming to external expectations or seeking validation from authority figures. By doing so, one risks losing their authentic self and potential for growth.
In practice
Using this quote in a motivational speech about following one's passions.
I shall no longer be instructed by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or any other doctrine whatsoever. I shall learn from myself, be a pupil of myself; I shall get to know myself, the mystery of Siddhartha." He looked around as if he were seeing the world for the first time.
That is where my dearest and brightest dreams have ranged — to hear for the duration of a heartbeat the universe and the totality of life in its mysterious, innate harmony.
I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that, so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. A man only looks and walks like that when he has conquered his Self. I also will conquer my Self.
You're quite right there," he said. "I have practiced abstinence myself for years, and had my time of fasting, too, but now I find myself once more beneath the sign of Aquarius, a dark and humid constellation.
I call that man awake who, with conscious knowledge and understanding, can perceive the deep unreasoning powers in his soul, his whole innermost strength, desire and weakness, and knows how to reckon with himself.
Despair is the result of each earnest attempt to go through life with virtue, justice and understanding, and to fulfill their requirements. Children live on one side of despair, the awakened on the other side.
A speculator is a man who observes the future, and acts before it occurs.
But there isn't any second half of myself waiting to plug in and make me whole. It's there. I'm already whole.
Generally speaking, if a human being never shows anger, then I think something's wrong. He's not right in the brain.
Every reaction is a learning process; every significant experience alters your perspective. So it would seem foolish, would it not, to adjust our lives to the demands of a goal we see from a different angle everyday? How could we ever hope to accomplish anything anther than galloping neurosis?
When I am with others, they are my teachers. I can select their good points and follow them, and select their bad points and avoid them.
God cannot forgive a sinner who does not acknowledge his sin.
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