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Poetry is a special use of language that opens onto the real. The business of the poet is truth telling, which is why in the Celtic tradition no one could be a teacher unless he or she was a poet.
Huston Smith
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Huston Smith
Age: 97 †
Born: 1919
Born: May 31
Died: 2016
Died: December 30
Philosopher
Professor
Soochow
Huston Cummings Smith
Unless
Teacher
Celtic
Special
Opens
Language
Onto
Use
Telling
Business
Tradition
Truth
Poet
Real
Poetry
More quotes by Huston Smith
The self is too small an object for perpetual enthusiasm.
Huston Smith
So always, if we look back, concern for face-to-face morality, and its modern emphasis on justice as well, have historically evolved as religious issues.
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When there are miles to go before we sleep, altered traits are more important than altered states.
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If Rumi is the most-read poet in America today, Coleman Barks is in good part responsible. His ear for the truly divine madness in Rumi’s poetry is really remarkable.
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Practice giving things away, not just things you don't care about, but things you do like.
Huston Smith
The goal of spiritual life is not altered states, but altered traits
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The object of pilgrimage is not rest and recreation – to get away from it all. To set out on a pilgrimage is to throw down a challenge to everyday life.
Huston Smith
As human beings we are made to surpass ourselves and are truly ourselves only when transcending ourselves.
Huston Smith
Daily the world grows smaller, leaving understanding the only place where peace can find a home.
Huston Smith
...but with my clamoring ego solidly in place, I considered the title, 'Memories of a Failed Nobody'.
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'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they shall see God' suggested to me a heavenly welfare program for the meek. Today that saying reveals an astute insight into egotism, about how those with swollen pride or vanity cannot see anything larger than themselves.
Huston Smith
It would be good if we bore one another's burdens.
Huston Smith
The faith I was born into formed me.
Huston Smith
With mind distracted, never thinking, Death is coming, To slave away on the pointless business of mundane life, And then to come out empty--it is a tragic error. (116) trans by Robert Thurman
Huston Smith
I had assumed that Bush's seemingly inflexible policy to support Sharon was for political reasons of his getting elected. But as to whether he really believes his actions are going to hasten the day of the final conflict, I do not know.
Huston Smith
It has been estimated that one third of our Western civilization bears the mark of its Jewish ancestry.
Huston Smith
The Sufis say there are three ways to know fire - by hearing it described, by seeing it, or by being burned.
Huston Smith
God is defined by Jesus but not confined to Jesus.
Huston Smith
The first koan do not have rational answers. They are techniques devised over the millennia for triggering an actual experience.
Huston Smith
Entheogens are not to be lightly trifled with... However, if taken with the right attitude and in the proper setting, psychoactive drugs may produce religious experiences. ...it is far less clear that they can produce religious lives.
Huston Smith