201121 — What I learned in my studies this morning

From Huang Po: Buddha must be realized through sudden insight ("tacit understanding"). "Any mental process must lead to error." (The Chun Chou Record, 14)

From Eric Hoffer: Mass movements, during their opposition to the prevailing order, require surrender of the individual to the movement to focus on unity and self-sacrifice. "The passion for equality is partly a passion for anonymity: to be one thread of the many which make up the tunic; one thread not distinguishable from the others. No one can then point us out, measure us against others and expose our inferiority.... They want to eliminate free competition and the ruthless testing to which the individual is continually subjected in a free society." (The True Believer, V-27, 28)

From Cleanthes: Listen. Listen more. Speak less. Allow gracious humor to shine through in your acceptance of criticism and in your approach to life. (Lives of the Stoics, pp. 21-25)

<<I have no need of a friend who changes places when I do and nods in agreement when I do; my shadow is better at that. I need a friend who helps me by telling the truth and having discrimination.>> — Plutarch, Moralia