Daily Quote, Monday August 31, 2009.

Good morning everyone,

Just to let everyone know, we decided to switch to a new book for the study group last night. This week we are looking at options and we'll make a choice next weekend. If you have ideas, please post them on the blog.

Here is today's quote:

A man who pursues virtue consciously is unvirtuous.

I am only conscious of this activity of the 'me' when I am opposing, when consciousness is thwarted, when the 'me' is desirous of achieving a result. The 'me' is active, or I am conscious of that centre, when pleasure comes to an end and I want to have more of that pleasure; then there is resistance, and there is a purposive shaping of the mind to a particular end which will give me a delight, a satisfaction. I am aware of myself and my activities when I am pursuing virtue consciously. That is all we know. A man who pursues virtue consciously is unvirtuous. Humility cannot be pursued, and that is the beauty of humility.

The Collected Works, Vol. VI - 321.

Here are my reflections.

Last night at the study group we talked for a while about the difference between the statement "I am happy" and the statement "I am happiness". The self cannot experience happiness. There can only be the experience of happiness, without the experiencer, for happiness to be. The appearance of the self, is therefore the ending of happiness (just as it is the beginning of time, memory, ambition, and conflict). It's like the phrase "I love you." Can you notice how the word "love" is used to bridge the gap between me and you? But if you say "I am love", then there is no me, just love, and so no bridge is needed between us.

Best wishes

Robert