Author Archives: veerjih

International Day of Neutrality “You see, when the world becomes too solid for nuance, when it hardens up and crystallizes into a binary that forces you to pick a side, compelling you to become intelligible to the hardness that creeps on its once loamy surfaces, cracks become the first responders. We need a politics ofContinue reading “Thought for the day, Tuesday 12th December”

“It was granted me to carry away from my prison years on my bent back, which nearly broke beneath its load, this essential experience: how a human being becomes evil and how good… Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor betweenContinue reading “Thought for the day, Monday 11th December”

“Prayer is as natural to man as speaking, sighing and seeing, as natural as the palpitation of a loving heart; and actually that is what prayer is: a murmur, a sigh, a glance, a heartbeat of love… All our bodily acts are the nature of prayer. Our body performs a perfect physiological act of thanksgivingContinue reading “Thought for the day, Sunday 10th December”

“Like treasure hidden in the groundtaste in the fruitgold in the rockoil in the seedthe Absolute hidden away in the heartno one can know the ways of our lord white as jasmine… Breath for fragrance, who needs flowers?With peace, patience, forgiving and self-command,who needs the Ultimate Posture?The whole world becomes oneself,who needs solitude?O lord whiteContinue reading “Thought for the day, Saturday 9th December”

“In my belief, there’s one spirit. I prefer to call it the Holy Spirit. I don’t think it matters if you call it God or Allah or Jesus or Fred or David or too early in the morning or whatever… At some point the entire population of the earth is gonna have to look backContinue reading “Thought for the day, Friday 8th December”

“The world is a very puzzling place. If you’re not willing to be puzzled, you just become a replica of someone else’s mind.” Noam Chomsky, polymath, born on this day in 1928 – Happy Birthday Uncle Noam!

“This day was honored centuries ago as the feast of Saint Nicholas, progenitor of Santa Claus. Whatever your stance toward mythic Christmas figures, Nicholas also deserves notice as the patron saint of weavers, bakers, and sailors – all people who work with nature intimately, shaping it to their own ends. Weavers take the raw fibersContinue reading “Thought for the day, Wednesday 6th December”

“Ten thousand flowers in spring, the moon in autumn,a cool breeze in summer, snow in winter.If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things,this is the best season of your life.” Wu-Men, Chinese Zen Master (1183 – 1260)

“A very great vision is needed, and the man who has it must follow it as the eagle seeks the deepest blue of the sky.” Crazy Horse, Lakota leader (1840 – 1877), born on this day

“I say religion isn’t about believing things. It’s ethical alchemy. It’s about behaving in a way that changes you, that gives you intimations of holiness and sacredness.” Karen Armstrong, founder of the Charter for Compassion, quoted in Fragments of Holiness for Daily Reflection