5 posts tagged “wisdom inspiration”
You hail from Brazil, one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Where do you like traveling in your own country? What other destinations are your favorite travel destinations? Any dream destination you’ve always been yearning to visit but still haven’t gotten round to?
There are many wonderful places in my country, but I must say that my hometown, Rio de Janeiro, always mesmerizes me.
"by Paulo Coelho"
First we spoke in this space of the seven capital sins. The series enjoyed a wide repercussion among readers, which made me very happy. But what about the seven cardinal virtues?
The sins come before the virtues. As a wise man said, he who has not sinned has no merit in his virtue – because he has not overcome any temptation. Most holy men of any religion generally lead a dissolute or apathetic life before they dedicate themselves to the spiritual quest.
So, since the series on sins has come to an end, and following the logic of the path of Light, we shall dedicate the next columns to the seven cardinal virtues, beginning with Faith. They are derived from the sum of three theological virtues, plus another four based on Plato which were adapted by Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas Aquinas (there are many divergences regarding the four complementary virtues, so I have decided to choose the more conventional list).
According to the dictionary:
from the Latin word fide: confidence; religious belief; conviction with
regard to someone or something; firmness in fulfilling a commitment;
credit; intention; theological virtue.
According to Jesus Christ:
The apostles said to the Lord, "Give us more faith." And the Lord said:
"If your faith is as big as a mustard seed, you could have said to this
mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and planted in the sea,' and
it would have obeyed you!" (Luke, 17: 5-6)
According to Buddhism: "We are what we think. Through thought we build and destroy the world.
"We are what we think. Your imagination can do more harm than your worst enemy.
"But once you control your thoughts, no-one can help you so much, not even your father or your mother." (Extract from Dhammapada, a collection of some of Buddha's principal teachings)
Continue...
Paulo Coelho
http://paulocoelhoblog.com/warrioroflight
By Paulo Coelho (http://www.paulocoelhoblog.com)
A very wealthy man asked a Zen master for a text which would always remind him how happy he was with his family.
The Zen master took some parchment and, in beautiful calligraphy, wrote:
- The father dies. The son dies. The grandson dies.
- What? - said the furious rich man. - I asked you for something to inspire me, some teaching which might be respectfully contemplated by future generations, and you give me something as depressing and gloomy as these words?
- You asked me for something which would remind you of the happiness of living together with your family. If your son dies first, everyone will be devastated by the pain. If your grandson dies, it would be an unbearable experience.
“However, if your family disappears in the order which I placed on the paper, this is the natural course of life. Thus, although we all endure moments of pain, the generations will continue, and your legacy will be long-lasting.”
The hidden face
Nasrudin went to the house of a rich man to ask for money for charity.
A page opened the door.
‘Tell the Mullah that Nasrudin is here and needs money to help others,’ said the wise man.
The page went back inside and returned a few minutes later.
‘My master is not at home.’
‘Allow me then to give him a piece of advice, even though he has not contributed to any charitable works. The next time he is away from home, tell him not to leave his face at the window, otherwise people might think he is lying.’
Paulo Coelho
www.paulocoelhoblog.com
