“Aspirations should remain lofty and far-sighted. Look to the precedents of the wise. Detach from emotions and desires; get rid of any fixations. Elevate subtle feelings to presence of mind and sympathetic sense. Be patient in tight situations as well as easy one; eliminate all pettiness.
“Seek knowledge by questioning widely; set aside aversion and reluctance. What loss is there in dignity, what worry is there of failure?
“If your will is not strong, if your thought does not oppose injustice, you will fritter away your life stuck in the commonplace, silently submitting to the bonds of emotion, forever cowering before mediocrities, never escaping the downward flow.” ~ Zhuge Liang (Kongming)
Kozo, author of a great blog I read, Everyday Gurus, posted about having lofty goals of becoming awakened and making a difference in the world. It reminded me of the above passage I read as a teenager that changed my life. It reminds me to not just have dreams of helping others, but to have BIG dreams of helping others.
I think Kozo makes a fantastic point in his post, that society is okay with people aspiring for material greatness- a greatness that will die with them- but, often times, looks at visionaries of social justice like they’re crazy or they’ll never achieve their goals. We acknowledge the greatness of world-changing historical figures and their ideas, but many turn away from anyone trying to make a difference today.
I think it’s time to hold up people like Kozo today with great figures of the past like Kongming. I have found his words and his deeds as important and thought provoking as the philosophy books on my shelf. The world today needs more people dedicated to peace who have Kozo’s courage to stand up for a better way.
I wanted to re-blog Kozo’s original post here, but I think you’ll find it much more rewarding to explore Kozo’s blog on your own. Here are some posts that have really inspired me in the past:
Following a Path 
Yes, love is the greatest of gifts. Too long have we forgotten its efficacy, its real meaning. Seemingly so small as it lay hidden, until its potency is revealed to the one experiencing it from within… or without.
From a heart that acknowledges its presence, love does what it must do. It forgives, understands, has compassion. However, this love also holds within it courage, and a strength that knows no limits; wild and freely given to all.
Love demands nothing and yet, it doesn’t roll over. It stands at times from the shakiest of knees, with a resolve that says, ‘no’ this is not the way.
Are you… ready for love? * smiles*
“It stands at times from the shakiest of knees, with a resolve that says, ‘no’ this is not the way.”
So true. For love of my fellow man I have stood up to people who intimidate me, have risked life and limb, and done things I never knew were in me.
Thank you for your comment, Sharon 🙂
Thank you so much for this shout out. I am enlivened to be seen by someone who knows the importance of the Path. //bow// Love the quotations from Kongming. You have to tell me how you stumbled across these passages as a teenager–not your normal teenage reading material.
The fact that we make a difference in each others lives in reward enough for what we do, don’t you think? Thank you for reading, seeing, and acknowledging. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
p.s. Love the comment by Sharon. From shaky knees, I blog everyday. haha.
Thank you for leading me to discover Kozo. Beautiful stories that energize my heart. Warming stories of a life that is being genuinely lived,