Things are going downhill with you!' he said to himself, and laughed about it, and as he was saying it, he happened to glance at the river, and he also saw the river going downhill, always moving on downhill, and singing and being happy through it all.
Interpretation
Embracing the challenges of life can bring joy, as seen in nature's perpetual flow.
This quote reflects on the inevitability of life's ups and downs, using the imagery of a river that constantly flows downhill. Despite its downward trajectory, the river is portrayed as happy, suggesting that one can find joy even in difficult circumstances. It encourages the reader to accept their challenges with a sense of humor and optimism, recognizing that life continues to flow and there is beauty to be found in the journey.
In practice
During a motivational speech about overcoming obstacles.
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.
The educated ones leave, the ones with the potential to right the wrongs. They leave the weak behind. The tyrants continue to reign because the weak cannot resist. Do you not see that it is a cycle? Who will break that cycle?
The source of all abundance is not outside of you. It's a part of who you are.
Littera scripta manet - 'The written word will remain'. That's true, but it won't be that much comfort to me.
LOSS, n. Privation of that which we had, or had not. Thus, in the latter sense, it is said of a defeated candidate that he "lost his election".
Every tomorrow is determined by every today.
The pleasure we feel in criticizing robs us from being moved by very beautiful things.
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