I do not desire suffering;
yet fool I am,
I desire the cause of suffering! — Shantideva
What is the cause of suffering but self-will? For the ego, when kindled, blinds me to my ignorance so that I may err, and thus suffer needlessly.
All those who are unhappy in the world
desire for their own happiness;
All those who are happy in the world
desire for the happiness of others. — Shantideva
So work for the happiness of others so that happiness is shared with all. In this way are the wise truly happy. And yet such happiness may be short-lived.
Wisdom tells me I am nothing.
Love tells me I am everything.
Between the two my life flows. — Nisargadatta Maharaj
The spiritual life springs from the desire to share happiness and love. In contrast, worldliness springs from the desire for fame and gain. Few of us have managed to balance our lives between both on our own.
Even so, the well-balanced life arises from sharing one's life with beloved family and friends, not from asceticism but from a willingness to let go of self for the sake of others.
Student: Sir, if one gave up the I, nothing whatsoever would remain.
Ramakrishna: I am not asking you to give up all of the I. you should give up only the "unripe I." the "unripe I" makes one feel: "I am the doer. these are my wife and children. I am a teacher."
Renounce this "unripe I" and keep the "ripe I" which will make you feel that you are God's servant, His devotee, and that God is the doer and you are His instrument. — Sri Ramakrishna
The "unripe I" is the ego; the "ripe I" is the soul. While the former lives in this world, the latter lives for God. Moreso, merely knowing I am God's servant is not enough. Being devoted to Him allows me to see that as God's instrument I will try to be as harmless to others as I am able.
All the violence, fear and suffering
that exists in this world
comes from grasping at "self".
What use is this great monster to you?
if you do not let go of the "self",
there will never be an end to your suffering.— Shantideva
Letting go of the "self", become human. Abandon grasping at "self", and be at peace with self and other.
Where are you hurrying to?
you will see
the same moon tonight
wherever you go! — Izumi Shikibu
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