The Buddha. Jesus. Ramana Maharshi. Lao Tzu. It is difficult to imagine these eminences running. Two of them favoured donkeys. For reasons more suggestive than explicit, Lao Tzu is depicted sitting backwards on his humble beast. All these sages demonstrated high levels of lowness.
Many are willing and even eager to die for their country, but a country is not the truth. Where is the man who knows the truth and is willing to die for it?
We cannot change ourselves by trying to change ourselves. Siddhartha Gautama tried all manner of austerities and penances before quitting them all and becoming the Buddha. Orchids make no effort. Neither shall we.
How does a single cut flower, so still, silent and surrendered, convene the attention of an entire room, then ‘float’ that room with beauty and aliveness and love? Well, not by doing anything.
On this day I will pay my respects to Epictetus by carrying with me a gentle reminder: Every person I see today, including the man in the mirror, is going to die soon.
Men's Work 