The Way of Paradox Quotes

“If I have a compulsive urge to be continually 'doing', manipulating other people and events, 'making my mark' in the world, then detachment may well require me to drop all this, at least sometimes, and learn to simply to sit still and to be rather than to do. In our present society and culture, which is rather feverish and over-active, continually bombarding us with 'images', over-stimulating us through the media, it is highly likely that we shall need to practise some form of withdrawal and inner recollection, if we are to develop any real spiritual life.”
― Cyprian Smith, The Way of Paradox: Spiritual Life as Taught by Meister Eckhart

“What matters in my dealings with the world is that they should be entirely free from self-thinking. We have to be alert to the demands of the present moment, which may be very different from what we would like them to be. But the important thing is to be constantly seeking God in all that we do, trying to discern what he wants of us in a given situation, and doing it promptly, regardless of our personal likes or dislikes. It is this obedience to the Will of God, and indifference to our personal feelings, which constitutes true detachment.”
― Cyprian Smith, The Way of Paradox: Spiritual Life as Taught by Meister Eckhart

“Harassed business executives and bank managers resort, in their spare time, to yoga and transcendental meditation. This provides them with periodic 'trips' which lack the harmful side-effects of alcohol or drugs; it gets their passions under control, eases nervous tension and reduces the risk of ulcers. But does it necessarily lead to profound inner change and transformation, loss of self, radical redireciton of life? Not in the least. All too often it simply increases the power of ego, of self, by 'spiritualizing' it. After doing my meditation practice, I 'feel' better, and more refreshed. I have plugged in to the cosmic powerhouse and had my batteries recharged. That enables me to return to my daily life and activities on exactly the same basis as before. There has been no change, no sacrifice. I have given up nothing, save a little of my time. Refreshed now, by meditation, I can resume my habitual quest for money, power, influence, the manipulation and exploitation of other people. I have not really thrown away self. I have, in fact, strengthened it, given it more permanence by saturating it with incense smoke and permeating it with cosmic 'vibes.”
― Cyprian Smith, The Way of Paradox: Spiritual Life as Taught by Meister Eckhart