1/19/10

Epigrams

An epigram is a brief, clever, and usually memorable statement. Derived from the Greek: "epi-gramma" meaning to write on or inscribe, the literary device has been employed for over two millennia.

Example: — "May the mind that was in Jesus of Nazareth also be in you. Or, do you expect better than that?"

  1. With some, what passes for enlightenment is just being slightly less full of shit.
  2. Whatever it was that caused you pain in the past, it wasn't love.
  3. Totality is everything. No joke.
  4. Some things get hidden so deep, you forget they are there at all.
  5. For those to whom eternal life has been given, death is not an option. Easter Sunday 2010
  6. Test the many voices. But, remember the voices of deceit will not suddenly speak the truth just because you ask nicely.
  7. "The fear of loss is a path to the dark side." Yoda, Star Wars III
  8. Everyone occupies the Bell curve in all positions, somehow or another.
  9. Use of the word 'singularity' in spiritual discourse creeps me out.
  10. It is impossible to cure indoctrination by means of different indoctrination. Indoctrination itself is the problem.
  11. "You are not wrong brother, you are just mistaken." - an ACIM student
  12. Some of my best ideas come from the sublime state of disgruntlement.
  13. It is better to plant one marigold than it is to curse the landscape.
  14. I'm thinking that chocolate pudding with strawberries on top is part of the universe of ideas that God created, and therefore real.
  15. I finally understand. The dark side of detachment is narcissism.
  16. The prayers, "Dear God please rip the darkness from my heart," is a theoretical metaphysical impossibility. God don't know nothing about no darkness.
  17. Tell you about it? Words cannot be transcended by means of more words. You need experiences and insights. The more the better to connect the fracking dots.
  18. Can't talk a way out of projection and perception. Can't even buy your way out.
  19. OK. But if I see that your hair is on fire, I promise not to dump the bucket of water on my head.
  20. How do you learn what you don't know by clinging to what you do know?
  21. So, ya think Helen got all the words exactly right? I doubt it.
  22. King of the world. Then hit an iceberg and drown. So it goes. Only the love remains.
  23. Enlightenment: Once is not enough.
  24. There is no act too small to make a difference.
  25. With many, the ego is smarter and more determined than you. Learning involves change, not rigidity.
  26. To those without eyes and ears, everything is a surprise.
  27. If you don't trust my intentions, you won't trust my words either, so why bother?
  28. You expect me to correct your thinking? Start with that idea. It's a mistake.
  29. It takes a special type of holy fool to pet a growling dog.
  30. The Holy spirit cannot speak English.
  31. A Course in Miracles in not philosophy or metaphysics, it is psychology.
  32. "Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." Antoine de Saint Exupery
  33. Simple logic: If complexity is of the ego, then a complex metaphysics must be of the ego.
  34. The state of "normal" (as in "miracles are normal") involves the habitual unconscious expression of love. "By this shall all men know that you are my followers, if you have love one to another" (John 13:35 ), bypasses all professions of faith.
  35. It is impossible to be a friend to Jesus with a knife clenched in your teeth.
  36. Miracles are normal. Don't think about what is on the other side of miracles until you at least reach the state of . . . normal.
  37. What you call miracles are simply laws you do not understand
  38. Everyone goes through infancy, including spiritual infancy. A reasonable goal is to grow out of it.
  39. The only part of me that is uncertain of my own existence is the part of me that does not exist. Being a thought of God is a happy thought.
  40. Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens. ~ Carl Jung
  41. The degree of ideological passion may be directly related to the degree of willful ignorance and fear.
  42. "Better late than never" is meaningless to eternity. Now is a good time.
  43. Responsibility without authority equals guilt.
  44. This singularity ain't big enough for the both of us.
  45. Mad cow disease explains everything.
  46. Any day that doesn't involve human sacrifice is a good day.
  47. Before someone can change, they have to learn, and before they learn, they have to cease being scared. - Seth Godin
  48. I'm wondering if boredom is an unloving thought. Have a clue?
  49. Anyone who has had the birth of Christ within knows exactly what the virgin birth is all about. Adyashanti
  50. You know, like a one-eyed man watching a 3-D movie.
  51. One concept notably lacking from ACIM is the idea of a food chain. "Eat me?" is not part of the picture.
  52. Question: When is the best time to plant a tree? Answer: 20 years ago.
  53. Being of "one mind" begins at home.
  54. You long for something different and call it a search for God. Isn't this what got you into trouble in the first place?
  55. The vow, "I won't be fooled again!" is the first step to being fooled again.
  56. Locating God is easy. Shutting up long enough to hear what she has to say is the hard part.
  57. If you focus on spirit long enough, you will see things you've never seen before.
  58. Mayan greeting E'en Lakesh which translates I am another yourself. We are one.
  59. A Course is Miracles is just like Christianity, except without all the b.s.
  60. Sometimes the very young do not do as they are told.
  61. You have the information, now is the time for transformation.
  62. Test everything. Hold on to the good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21
  63. If I drop a rock on my foot and it hurts like hell, is that the result of fear?
  64. Forgiveness alone brings confidence, comfort, and joy, and bids fear and despondency flee away.
  65. Many wish to "get it" for the sole purpose of "being done with it."
  66. If you could just rotate fast enough, you might get a psychic vortex going.
  67. As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being. — Carl Jung
  68. They ain't nothin' woofin' but the peas in the pot, and they only woofin' cause the water be hot!
  69. The instructions for getting out of the box are printed on the outside of the box.
  70. The only way to know the truth is to make yourself fit to receive it.
  71. Yet if you do not accept the necessary conditions for knowing Him you have denied Him. — ACIM
  72. "If you follow the Bab around like a dog, do not be surprised that the Bab treats you like a dog." — Sayings of the Bab
  73. Hubris - trying to beat God at her own game.
  74. Shut up and put your money where your mouth is. That's what you get for waking up in Vegas - Kate Perry
  75. Save me from the nothing I've become. - Evanescence
  76. "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" - Martin Luther King, Jr.
  77. Complex metaphysics my ass.
  78. I say again: Appearing and disappearing relate only to perception.
  79. It's impossible to know for sure something that isn't real.
  80. The English word 'fox' has the same meaning as 'renard,' except it's not as froggy.
  81. Crucifixion is quicker and easier than death by paper cuts.
  82. Perception ends where knowledge begins.
  83. Sure, Jesus promised that awakening is better than sex. But, is it better than fantasy sex?
  84. “When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.” — Catherine Ponder
  85. Switching from believing to not believing doesn't actually change anything.
  86. Salvation is not theoretical. — ACIM Manual for Teachers
  87. The Course is a fertile source for daydreamers everywhere to imagine about.
  88. My dreams are full of meaning, but not necessarily a lot of understanding.
  89. It is not the function of God's teachers to evaluate the outcome of their gifts. It is merely their function to give them. — ACIM
  90. Don't focus on reducing the pain that you experience yourself, focus on reducing the pain that you cause others.
  91. Love or die. That's a choice, right?
  92. New shorthand notation: CAIRI - meaning the Course as I Read It.
  93. I haven't worn all the tread off my set of egos, but they are losing traction and are starting to slip. Somewhat. Now and then.
  94. Like a snake that sheds its skin, I grow a new one.
  95. All illusions are equally false. They are not, however, equally useless.
  96. Joining with another mind is fearful because it means the end of secrets and lies.
  97. Priest: Someone paid to be kind and forgiving. It hasn't always worked out that way.
  98. Catholicism: Failed attempt to impose a universal theology.
  99. 99 out of 100 voices in your head are lying.
  100. Life is just like lucid dreaming, minus the lucidity.
  101. Blowing smoke can be done figuratively or literally. I prefer to do it literally.
  102. Abandon all blame, ye who enter here.
  103. What if . . . on the other side of that brick wall . . . it's Toontown?
  104. One reason for level confusion is that the Big Lie is different on every level.
  105. Turn the beat around. Rhythm carries all the action. Turn it upside down. Love to hear it.
  106. Mantra: Yes, that too is within me, and I within it.
  107. Is that singular, plural, or both, with the "you"? This is English, not some sensible language.
  108. Is anyone planning to unlearn how to tie a shoelace?
  109. A big problem with 'God the Father' is that many earthly fathers are assholes. 'God the Mother' is not always an improvement.
  110. I am under no obligation to accept your limitations.
  111. It is impossible to be in communication with and through spirit by means of deception.
  112. The way Jesus saw is good enough for me, and I've got the instruction manual.
  113. When they say "Know thyself," which self do they mean?
  114. The way of spirit is to keep the love and forget the rest, if I recall correctly.
  115. A distinction without any difference is not a distinction. It is arbitrary and meaningless.
  116. Truthiness is a "truth" that a person claims to know intuitively without regard to evidence, logic, intellectual examination, or facts.
  117. Conversation stopper no. 1: This is obviously true!
  118. There are some problems in this world which either get solved quickly
    or not at all.
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Tom Fox
Louisville, Kentucky

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1 comment:

Denise said...

HI Tom,
I really enjoyed each of the epigrams, some of them had me laughing out loud, thank you!