Nothing was, nothing will be, everything has reality and presence
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of the present moment, suggesting that reality exists only in the now.
Hermann Hesse's quote reflects on the concept of time and existence, indicating that the past is a mere memory and the future is uncertain. It encourages mindfulness, urging us to recognize that the true essence of life is found in the present moment, where reality unfolds and experiences come alive. By focusing solely on what is tangible and immediate, we can appreciate the richness of life as it exists right now.
In practice
In a mindfulness workshop to illustrate the importance of living in the moment.
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 β 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.
He that would be angry and sin not, must not be angry with anything but sin.
Even men of the noblest possible moral character are extremely susceptible to the influence of the physical charms of others. Modern, no less then Ancient History, supplies us with many most painful examples of what I refer to. If it were not so, indeed, History would be quite unreadable.
Anyone who knows gangs knows that lawmakers cannot conceive of a law that would lead a hard-core gang member to 'think twice.'
In the part of this universe that we know there is great injustice, and often the good suffer, and often the wicked prosper, and one hardly knows which of those is the more annoying.
I like the truth sometimes, but I don't care enough for it to hanker after it.
The whole life is a succession of dreams. My ambition is to be a conscious dreamer, that is all.
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