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Robert M. Pirsig The following quotations are taken from Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance. A book that truly digs deep within the psyche of its reader. And what is good, Phaedrus, and what is not good - need we ask anyone to tell us these things? … through that car window everything you see is just more TV. The truth knocks on the door and you say, "Go away, I'm looking for the truth," and so it goes away. Puzzling. We're in such a hurry most of the time we never get much chance to talk. The result is a kind of endless day-to-day shallowness, a monotony that leaves a person wondering years later where all the time went and sorry that it's all gone. The Buddha, the Godhead, resides quite as comfortably in the circuits of a digital computer or the gears of a cycle transmission as he does at the top of a mountain or in the petals of a flower.

Chinua Achebe The following quotations are taken from Things fall apart. A book that gives wonderful insight into the history and culture of Africa. It tells about the gentleness and wisdom, the solid social structure and spirituality of the people of Africa. It also tells how the tyranny of Western people, especially that of the English colonists, destroyed this stable and relatively peaceful culture. Among the Ibo (tribe) the art of conversation is regarded very highly and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten. A man that pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness. An old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb. Those whose palm-kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble. When a man says yes, his chi says yes also. (chi = Personal god)

Ivan Kaplan Ivan Kaplan is my friend and mentor. He is one of the most well known authorities on Meditation, Yoga and Neurolinguistic Programming in South Africa, if not the world. He has taught me so much. May God bless him for his influence on my life.   The following are some of the wise thoughts that he has shared with me: The mind becomes clarified by cultivating attitudes of friendliness, compassion, gladness and indifference respectively towards happiness, misery, virtue and vice. There is a difference between a "good" person and an aware person. Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered, and found nothing there. The lack of awareness of Reality, the sense of egoism or I-am-ness, attractions or repultions towards objects and the strong desire for life are the great afflictions or causes of all miseries in life. Take responsibility for who and where you are The Universe wants you to prosper. The Universe wants to see you have sufficiency, and that you have the abundance that you want.

Ayi Kwei Armah The following quotations come from The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born. … perhaps the living dead could take some solace in the half-thought that there were so many others dead in life with them. So many, so frighteningly many, that maybe in the end even the efforts one made not to join them resulted only in another, more frustrating kind of living death. As he went down (the stairs) a shadow rose up the bottom wall to meet him, and it was his own. Those who are blessed with the power And the soaring swiftness of the eagle And have flown before, Let them go. I will travel slowly, And I too will arrive. The lack of awareness of Reality, the sense of egoism or I-am-ness, attractions or repultions towards objects and the strong desire for life are the great afflictions or causes of all miseries in life. If you come near people here they will ask you, what about you? Where is your house? Where have you left your car? What do you bring in your hands for the loved ones? Nothing? Then let us keep quiet and not get too close to people. People will make you very sad that you do not have a house to make onlookers stumble with looking, or a car to make every walker know that a big man and his concubine have just passed. Let us keep quiet and watch.

Richard Bach This author has had a profound influence on my thinking Your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself. THIS MOMENT can be filled with imagination, with daydreams upon which a future depends, with knowing what's real in spite of what seems to be. It can be filled with worry, regret, loneliness, distress. Which to choose? While the numbers tick, see the decisions you're making now, each new parallel world where your thoughts gather, coming true, as you hold and nurture one of the mega-billion possible ideas this moment.  There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands. You seek problems because you need their gifts. The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof. Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they're yours. You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however. If you will practice being fictional for a while, you will understand that fictional characters are sometimes more real Your conscience is the measure of the honesty of your selfishness. Listen to it carefully. Every person,all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you. Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends. The markof your ignorance is the depth of your belief in injustice and tragedy. What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly. Live never to be ashamed if anything you do or say is published around the world - even if what is published is not true. Your friends will know you better in the first minute you meet, than your acquaintances will know you in a thousand years.   You are led through your lifetime by the inner learning creature, the playful spiritual being that is your real self Don't turn away from possible futures before you're certain you don't have anything to learn from them.

Other Quotations The quotations listed here are those that I've picked up all over. Some of them have a known author or poet connected to them, but most are from anonymous or unknown origin. But I still think they are great! See how they become part of your "lingo". Wit is not merely an acute perception of analogies; it is a lively awareness of the fact that the obvious attitude toward a given situation is not the only possible attitude. (C. Brooks 1939)   more coming soon Real poets are ashamed of the language they write in. (L. Breytenbach)

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