"when tired, rest, when thirsty, drink, but above all else....&#34

[seancswife]

so i have had this partial quote stuck in my head for a few weeks. the lesson i heard with this quote was that as simple as things may appear, they are not always easy to accomplish. " if you are thirsty drink", sounds simple enough. yet in truth often we find ourselves moving on to the next thing versus stopping and getting that drink. I believe the idea is to be present and aware enough to just be.

the part that is a sticking point in my head... "above all else...". i hear it in my head, the voice, the tone which i originally heard it, but i can't finish the sentence. the quote is only partial to begin with, but i just keep wondering what part is missing? being on this site i imagine the full quote could be, "above all else, just be"

i know i will find it again some where, just figured this might be a good place to ask.

[Jeanjacket]

Every iteration I remember of this quote is simply, "When you are hungry, eat. When you are thirsty, drink, and when you are tired, sleep."

Or some variation of that with different syntax. Original sources generally cite Chinese or Buddhist proverb... Not that I have any clue.

[benos]

Every iteration I remember of this quote is simply, "When you are hungry, eat. When you are thirsty, drink, and when you are tired, sleep."

I can't find it at the moment, but the ending I remember for that quote goes like, "Fools will laugh at you, but the wise will understand."

[southernshooter]

When it's time to get dressed, put on your clothes. When you must walk, then

walk. When you must sit, then sit. ... When you're tired, lie down. The fool

will laugh at you but the wise man will understand.

-Lin Chi

[RevolverJockey]

There is no place in Buddhism for using effort.

Just be ordinary and nothing special.

Relieve your bowels, pass water, put on your clothes, and eat your food.

When you're tired, go and lie down.

Ignorant people will laugh at me, but the wise will understand.

It is Lin Chi but what is strange I was reading the Dhammapada today and came across it in a reference. To me this quote has always reminded me to be in the moment but not of it and to unconditionally accept that which is in front of me and not be moving onto the next thing. Alan Watts once said, " Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes."

Lee

Edited April 6, 2012 by Mitch_Rapp.45

[seancswife]

Thanks... I guess the "above all else" is from another quote, guess it's just time for more reading.

[RevolverJockey]

Could it be, "When you sit - sit. When you stand - stand. Above all, do not wobble"

~Ummon

Lee

[benos]

Could it be, "When you sit - sit. When you stand - stand. Above all, do not wobble"

~Ummon

Lee

That's got to be it!

I thought the OP was referring to a Lin Chi quote, but didn't remember Lin Chi's version ending with any sort of "above all."

Nice work.

be

[Graham Smith]

I've heard different variations of this before and it always struck me a very good advice. Attempt to lead a simple life but do it at your own pace, in rhythm with the nature of your body.

Which is very strange because almost every culture has a group of (religious) people who try to achieve the first part by ignoring the second part. Almost without exception, monastic life is extremely regimented. It is said that the monks invented clocks because they needed to know exactly when to pray. And look where that got us, even this forum will tell you exactly when I created and edited this post...

Edited April 7, 2012 by Graham Smith

[seancswife]

Could it be, "When you sit - sit. When you stand - stand. Above all, do not wobble"

~Ummon

Lee

Yes! That's the one. All the others are great too. Thanks for the help. All of these quotes are needed in my daily life right now.

[Reinz]

I always thought it was " don't talk, shoot" .....Tuco

[Sam]

What's the harm in combining a few good quotes.....

[StravIs09]

i think that this is a lion king quote...i dont know where you are getting chinese proverb or buddhist mumbling?

[rfoil007]

chanting or repeting a saying or movement is chinese. movement and rythmic sound not words is buddhist

[Mikethor]

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."

Mark Twain

[benos]

Mark Twain is the shit.