Quotes from Ming-Dao Deng

Keep life simple… turn toward the divine. It satisfies, it brings knowledge, and it brings joy.

Every day passes whether you participate or not.

Whatever comes to you, you must engage it somehow. You receive it, you may alter the circumstance and let it go, you may interject something of your own into it, or you may knowingly let it pass. Whatever you do, there is no need to be apathetic toward life. Instead, full participation in all things is the surest way to happiness, vitality, success, and a deep knowledge of Tao.

Life is a constant series of opportunities. If we don't reach out for things, if we don't take advantage of what comes our way, then we cannot be in harmony with the essential nature of life.

Draw energy from the earth Admit power from the heavens Fertilize the seed within Let it sprout into a flower of pure light

Each day your life grows a day shorter. Make every move count.

Every ordinary moment, every little detail should be a celebration of your personal understanding. Your smallest act should be permeated with reverence.

History is essential to our understanding of the present. Unless we are conscious of the way in which we came to this point in time as a people, then we shall never fully be able to plan the present and the future. We need to know what roots are still alive. We need to know how things came to be so that we can project from here. We also need to know the failures of the past so that we can avoid repeating them.

Turn your face to the sun, as flowers know how to do.

Only through lighting a living fire within ourselves can we dance quickly and spontaneously enough to meet the rhythm of life.

The primary point of this existence is to live, and all living things move and grow. Therefore meditation should be integrated with the flow of life. It should not dominate above all else.

If you practiced for the day, then you have won. If you were lazy for the day, then you have lost.

Go through life without showing off, attracting attention to yourself, or making flamboyant gestures. These will only attract the hostility of others. The wise accomplish all that they want without arousing the envy or scorn of others.