Think
(Quite long)

By Rev. Keith Smyth

 The above signature is that of Rev. Keith Smyth. His expertise is in Huna, Biofeedback, computers, dreams, science and electronics. He is doing research in some of the above areas. He is a Technical Writer, Electronics Instructor and Metaphysical Teacher. He is also a cartoonist and contributes many for our Rainbow Connection.

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Yes, the darkness is rich indeed, at its heart. But there too, lies its greatest peril - and there can be no compromise. Man was born to fight to the light. It is a curse, perhaps, but we must possess the strength - or we would not be born at all.

The Seer's peril is twofold; he is as a lamb on the inward path to the heart of darkness, for he travels alone: he is as a lamb on the outward path also, for on it, he is blindly led.

Laugh at your own despair. It is a silly thing. True despair is reserved for immortals. Laughter is our defiance of them, our nobility.

Taken each as one, man's life is a closed circle. One man is driven, or seeks inward; another is driven, or seeks outward. The curved line of the circle strangles the nether man, for he is easy prey to the pressure from without; the same sharp line severs the man of action from self-Knowledge. Thousands of generations have made it so. We must open the circle - or perish.

The Learning is richest when the darkest depths are plumbed, but it is there, too, that the horror lies. Upon this paradox rests our destiny.

Can you vanquish the enemy without knowing him? Can you know him without sharing his darkness? Can you share his darkness without being claimed?

Death itself seems acceptable. It fits the scheme of things as we see them - everything becomes compost. But if we do not accept it, then consciousness is not acceptable.

Life is bracketed pain.

To seek and not to yield? Does that mean to seek and destroy?

When you face the Maker, what will you see? Will you see a master of Death? Will you see a giver of Life? Take care to decide if there is a difference. Take care that ye will not be gazing into the prophecy of a mirror.

I find it fascinating to come under the influence of such a negativity. Know its influence because I see nothing there. Like trying to look down inside yourself, something I intend to do more of.

When the time of choice comes, only the very wise know that it has also come before.

Yes, man's presumptuous journey into the stars has diminished his significance - perhaps denied it entirely. He gazes upon an imitation of infinity, a dark shadow dotted by the pitiful, cold light of a billion galaxies. He is incredulous. He stands on the edge of this terrible idea . . . . . and is afraid.

We are condemned to be free. These are the words of those of wisdom and prideful bitterness. Even wiser men claim that knowledge alone is our curse. Those who truly know say that simple consciousness is enough. So be it.

Ye point a trembling finger at thine Enemy. All are but masks of the real one - the one too terrible to uncloak. Know that you have but one true Enemy. Ye may think that His color is the black of nothingness, and that His name is Death. This is wrong. Know that His true name is Time.

What is to fear? Things that make sounds in the night? There is only death, after all.

Such is the covenant of the Seer. To be blind that he may see.

You are grateful? You wish to give something of value? Then give me a moment of your time. No one can offer a gift of greater value.

We must all seek out the dark, silent places. They are our weaknesses.

There is a moment in time, a moment of decision that each man must face alone. If he fails to recognize the moment, if he fails to decide, then he is like most of us - not truly a man; he has failed to mine the rich lode deep within his soul that once lifted him out of the primeval muck.

You will come to know . . . . that there is more to be purged than sight . . . . Remember, life itself is a purging.

Face the Darkness. Burn thy light into its maw even as it swallows thee. Do this, for ye cannot flee it. Do this, or cower down before it.

Either everything matters or nothing matters. Choose to live or to die - it may be your only choice, after all.

The only knowledge that can hurt you is the knowledge you don't have.

Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure.

Most of the critical things in life, which become the starting points of human destiny, are the little things.

Perseverance: a lowly virtue whereby mediocrity achieves an inglorious success.

You may get a large amount of truth into a brief space.

I can't understand why a person would spend a year writing a novel when he can buy one for a few dollars.

Trouble won't kill you. Life is hard, but God is good.

You can carry with you a whole lot of labels, which you go around pinning on things, often with very little excuse.

It is unscientific to do a study of mind with a hammer and chisel.

Intention is of primary importance, feeling is the vehicle.

Transform yourself. You can use the energy.

Leaving is a remaking of the self.

To will is to disagree, not to submit.

Your many masks of fear hid you only from yourself.

Never attribute to malice what can more appropriately be assigned to stupidity.

All things noble are as difficult as they are rare. Aristotle.

There are no outside opinions that can tell you about the inner Self.

What is your rage?

You do not know what you don't know.

Anything can be addictive.

If you don't hand it back you pass it on.

It isn't the trauma that causes the illness, it is the repression of the trauma that causes the illness.

There is a way in which we are in touch with all consciousness. Go to the inner Self.

The world has no requirement to deviate itself to make you happy.

We see only what we want to see. We cannot see what we have not been conditioned to see.

Human life is as fragile as a single candle flame. Human Spirit is as irresistible as the expansion of the universe.

Sometimes a mans character can change in an instant if the heart is ready.

Corollary: Don't push it or you just might be astonished at what it changes into.

The seduction of combat. It strips everything away except the need to survive; it narrows life to the NOW, frees one from the niggling irritation and ambiguities of ordinary life. Beware. Anyone who believes that reality is like a fairy tale is going to wind up with a glass slipper in a very uncomfortable place in the anatomy.

Spirits seek their own levels too, like the waters.

Society tends to devour all our certainties - and all our beauties as well.

If I must be untrue to myself in order for you to love me, got to hell.

There are certain directions in which you cannot go. Choose one in which you can move, and go as far as you want.

You have written within you an older set of nerves and senses that society denies. Enable them and know who you truly are.

The experience of Eternity right here and now is the function of life.

Life is a wonderful, wonderful game, an opera, except that it hurts.

Life is a poem, not of words, but of acts. Watch your syntax and rhythms.

There is a basic, underlying mystery to all of reality. Science is attempting to address it. It has not yet. You are the mystery.

For every idiot-proof system devised, a new, improved idiot will arise to overcome it.

When in doubt, take all the time you need to get all the facts. Or all the time you have whichever it is.

Some days the name "Homo Sapiens" seems the height of arrogance.

The water mill, steel plow, and the McCormick Reaper have made more impact on the destiny and well-being of mankind than all the bold strokes and grand designs of all the general staffs in two millennia.

Science should leave off making pronouncements; the river of knowledge has often turned back on itself.

Survival is not inevitable. It is not a right. It is not cheap. Survivors must pay very dearly over and over again.

You cannot be a courteous individual and always tell the cold hard truth.

My wife. She is the music I hear in my soul.

What is, is. What might have been shall never be.

Definition of a Senior Citizen: An advanced kid. The mind is willing, but the body says "Say What?"

The Angel of Death is terrible as he comes for you. As he touches you, he is sublime.

God is not ethical. God is horrific. Think about it.

Heaven is not eternal. Heaven is merely everlasting. Eternity is beyond time.

Each life is a gem, a gem enmeshed in a reflection of all others.

Life is its own purpose.

The destination is worthless. It is the journey. And we must strive for a destination.

Find the fearless, desireless, burning point within and become it. It is the becoming.

Watching the TV Evangelists, Jim and Tammy Baker, Swaggert, Falwell, Robertson, Popoff - if these are preachers of Gods word, heaven is apt to be a very annoying place.

You can never go home again; but where ever you go, you will never leave it either.

Obedience to any law originates and continues only in self-discipline.

No one else can achieve your goals for you. Only your own self-discipline can fire the emotions of achieving.

No man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.

Learn from the mistakes of others - you can never live long enough to make all of them yourself.

Considering how hard it is to change yourself, you ain't got the chance of a snowball in the hot place of changing someone else.

The nature of life must be enacted in the living of life.

Sacrifice in marriage is not sacrifice to the other, it is sacrifice to the relationship.

I am not afraid to die. I just don't want to be there when it happens.

Life is the initiation of death.

You must use the rules, you must not be used by the rules.

A man told me "I have never done a thing I have wanted to in all my life. " What a pity. Follow your bliss.

The wheel of fortune revolves, on the top, down, on the bottom, up, on the top. Round and round. Be the Hub. Maintain balance.

We run 45,000 to 60,000 thoughts a day. Most of them are self-talk. Are you paying attention to what you are telling yourself about you?

Quit trying to achieve Perfection! Excellence is totally acceptable.

I am not bound by your concept of yourself.

There is no conflict between science and religion per se. The conflict is between Science of 2000 AD and the science of 2000 BC.

There is only one mythology in the world - and that is life.

Individuals must be free from concentrated coercion. Corporations must coerce to survive.

Political life is preserving privilege and power.

Once you compromise your principles, you have no principles.

Student: "Master, what is Zen?"

Master: "Zen is eating when you are eating, working when you are working, and relaxing when you are relaxing. "

Student: "But that is so simple!"

Master: "And so few do it!"

The test of your vocation is the love of the drudgery involved.

The biggest mistake you can ever make is to believe that you are working for someone else.

Killing the past scars the soul.

Set a goal. How it is going to happen IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!

Stand up for what you believe in because you can fall for anything.

Many people die at the age of 21 and don't get buried until the age of 65.

To get what you envision, you got to be HUNGRY!

In order to achieve your dream, you must have total desperation to have what you want.

Everything is exactly the way it is supposed to be - even when it is the pits. You caused it. Change it.

With age comes wisdom - if you allow it to happen.

Love is a condition that allows what has to be done be done, without all the frills and fantasies.

If you can't love me in my grubbies - hit the road Jack.

All Human life is founded upon a sea of blood - be it Human, animal or vegetable.

If you are truly fortunate, you will have some misfortunes to add flavor to your life.

Living is the art of Life.

The unexamined life is a life not worth living.

Society has a taboo against knowing yourself.

Too many times consciousness raising demands that my beliefs need to be changed to match yours.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

You know it is cold when they have to chop the dogs off the fire hydrants.

Succeeding is the Best Revenge.

Politicians - they can't even run their own lives. I'll be damned if they will run mine.

If the Universe is as you say it is - Then SAY!

Parents who have never become adults cannot afford to let their children become adults.

When embracing the mystery of Life, there is suffering. Reject the suffering and reject life.

Codependancy is living your life for someone else. You know you are codependent when you are drowning and someone else's life flashes before your eyes.

There is nothing so rare as an act of yourself.

You are the only one you will never leave or lose.

Would you go to a motel with yourself this weekend?

Yesterday, I died. Today, Life is precious.

Investigate your pain through direct experience, rather than your mind.

Pain is Fear. Go into your pain, not away from it.

Anticipatory grief is fear in disguise.

All life is sorrowful. Exhalt in it.

The eye never panics. Observe your body panic and laugh.

After death, the body rots. Will you?

I am Enigma. What you see, what you hear, what you think I am, I am not, and I am more.

Spirit is Eternal. Heaven is merely everlasting.

Life is a symphony. Live it so as not to be a sour note.

None of us has lived the life we intended. All of us have lived a life of life. Follow your bliss.

There is a language beyond language. You are it.

Look up to ideals, but do not run away from reality.

Make an endless wish - concentrate - perfect yourself - and you will break through the barriers.

Ah. So.

Models of who you think you are entrap. Ah. So!

We are all one in the form of many.

Christ, Buddha, Lom So, Ram Sa, Mohammed. Just a few buddies to hang out with.

Death is of Divine Origin. It is absolutely safe.

You and I know too much to hide. Socrates drank the hemlock without a flinch.

Grandfather, tell me what the world was like when you were young, before time was money and machines made man as slave.

Love is what you make of it. There is no guarantee.

Good memories start right now!

Be good to your friends. Without them, you would be a total stranger!

Beware the melodrama of awakening!

Enlightenment turns out to be just another melodrama.

The great way is not difficult for those who have no preferences.

Are you stuck in polarities? Make the slightest distinctions and heaven and hell are poles apart.

Have opinions and preferences but be not therefore attached.

Paranoia is the price of liberty. Vigilance is not enough.

You must in all circumstances exhibit tremendous strength. Above all, you must be strong enough to bend.

"This is your Captain speaking - we are all in a space ship hurtling through space and we are all going to die."

What you love is what you give time to.

Whatever happens in you life, don't get bitter. If you get bitter, the acid eats the container. Then you can't look back and laugh.

Education is no substitute for literacy.

Dedication to excellence for its own sake, apart from ego enhancement, is not only rare - it is incomprehensible to the ego-oriented.

A man of common sense does not ask "What is the purpose of Life?", he asks "What is my purpose for this Life?"

Belief and having proof are total contradictions.

There are lots of wrong plans for living and only one right plan. The one right plan is to acquire knowledge about everything, and then make your own right plan.

Every act has both good and evil results.

Escape from suffering is the point between desire and resistance of pain.

Love is the burning point of life, and since life is sorrowful, so is love, and it is Joy.

I am not a man of faith. I am a man of experience. I have experienced it all, hate, anger, compassion, love, sorrow, death.

No matter what system of thought you have, it cannot possible encompass boundless life.

Your God is your ultimate barrier.

People are dying for metaphors everyday. The problem is, everything is a metaphor.

The Silver Screen, TV and magazines have built walls around what life is.

Rescue love from modern romance.

Always listen to the experts. They will tell you what can't be done and why. Then go do it.

I was born old. I had to go from 10 years old to 30 years old in ten seconds. With any luck, I am getting younger every day.

No man or woman ever sees themselves as matching their own perceptions of handsomeness or being beautiful.

Success means giving up all your crutches - all your reasons why you cannot do it.