Synopsis – There are different way we can go about life, different paths if you will, one path is mastery and this book explains that particular life approach.
Key Takeaways
Page 53 – Man is a learning animal, and the essence of the species is encoded in that simple term
Page 71 – Do not think that, this all there is. More and more wonderful teaching exists– the sword is unfathomable
Page 83 – Actually, the essence of boredom is to be found in the obsessive search for novelty. Satisfaction lies in mindful repetition, the discovery of endless richness in subtle variation on familiar themes
Page 95 – “More and more, the universe looks like a great thought rather than a great machine”, says astronomer Sir James Jeans
Page 98 – Exploring the edges of the envelope
Page 99 – Before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood and carry water
Page 120 – We learn in high school physics that kinetic energy is measured in terms of motion. The same thing is true of human energy: it comes into existence through use. You can’t hoard it
Page 123 – 1. Maintain physical fitness, 2. Acknowledge the negative and accentuate the positive, 3. Try telling the truth, 4. Honour but don’t indulge your dark side, 5. Set your priorities, 6. Make commitments and act 7. Get on the path of mastery and stay on it
Page 139 – Consistency of practice is the mark of the master. Continuity of time and place buoys you up, carries you along.
Page 142 – Yet a Zen master will tell you that building a stone wall or washing dishes is essentially no different from formal meditation. The quality of a Zen student practice is defined just as much by washing the dishes as how she sits in meditation.
Page 150 – Ultimately, nothing in this life is “commonplace” nothing is “in between”. The thread that join your every act, your every thought, are infinite. All paths of mastery eventually merge.
Final Thoughts – This book reminded me of allot of other books I have read, Mushashi, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. The book explains the way. I don’t think it does it as well as other books I have read. 6.5/10
Stranger in Sydney 