An Imaginary Interview with a 21st Century Truth Seeker
Biography
For all his fame and celebration, William Shakespeare remains a mysterious figure with regards to personal history. His words have endured for 400 years, and still reach across the centuries as powerfully as ever.
Q: What are the characteristics of a person who makes self-transformation the first order of business in his life?
Shakespeare's Answer: He reads much; he is a great observer, and he looks quite through the deeds of men.
Q: What should be a major purpose in watch our thoughts?
A: To unmask falsehood, and bring truth to light.
Q: I often feel that I owe something for my bad behavior in past years, but you say this is false guilt.
A: Come, there is no more tribute to be paid. Our kingdom is stronger than it was at that time.
Q: What basic rule will help us retain self-command when dealing with an angry person?
A: Oppose not rage while rage is in its force, but give it way a while and let it waste.
Q: The lessons we have heard so far indicate that we can use our tribulations for self-freedom or for self-imprisonment, according to the way we handle them.
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Sweet are the uses of adversity.
A: Sweet are the uses of adversity.
Q: I feel that my past failures may have disqualified me for changing my fortunes today.
A: What you do still betters what is done.
Q: Why are we so doubtful about our possibilities for attaining a totally new life?
A: We know what we are, but not what we may be.
Q: What can we do about an adverse fate?
A: The fault . . . is not in our stars, but in ourselves
Q: My difficulty is self-doubt. One minute I think I know how to improve my life, but the next minute I am overwhelmed by uncertainty.
A: Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.
Q: Please summarize our needed course of action.
A: Sleep no more!
Q: Why do we fail so often in our attempts to win what we want? Why do results so often turn out contrary to our desires?
A: We, ignorant of ourselves, beg often our own harms, which the wise powers deny us for our own good; so find we profit by losing of our prayers.
Q: What if we find difficulty in understanding what we must do?
A: Truth makes all things plain.
Q: I have noticed that all of the great teachers emphasize the need for honestly observing and then abandoning our negative traits. I wonder why they give so much attention to the losing of negative features, instead of showing us how to acquire positive traits.
A: We lot away that bearing boughs may live.
Q: We are aware of how humanity likes to flatter itself on its wisdom and heroism, but how does an awakened man see it?
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Q: I suppose that you mean we must empty ourselves of false values, like pride and self-righteousness. But how does this protect a man from the hostility of others?
A: Having nothing, nothing can he lose.
Q: But what is the esoteric explanation for the huge success and fame of some people who are neither talented nor conscientious?
A: Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered.
Q: I cannot imagine any world other than the troublesome one I now inhabit!
Shakespeare's Answer: There are more things in heaven and earth. . . than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Q: Both Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius teach that a change of opinion towards a circumstance changes that circumstance as far as the individual is concerned. Could you pleaser explain that principle in another way?
A: There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.
Q: I would be happier if I could see myself taking long leaps out of the spiritual desert into the meadows.
A: A true-devoted pilgrim is not weary to measure kingdoms with his feeble steps.
Q: I don't understand why philosophies and religious teachers spend so much time talking about human sorrow. Most people appear reasonably happy.
A: What private griefs they have, alas!
Q: But human power confers respect.
A: Those he commands, move only in command, nothing in love.
Q: Eastern wise men teach that harmony with nature -- including our own nature -- delivers us from daily pain and frustration. What does this mean?
A: Is there any cause in nature that makes these hard hearts?
Q: I would like to live in a simple contentment, but the urge for fame and fortune seems so rewarding.
A: He is well paid that is well satisfied.
Q: So we must find courage to face things according to reality, not according to our imagination.
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Q: If I understand correctly, everything in life operates according to intelligent and orderly laws, which we must discover.
A: The heavens themselves, the planets, and this centre, observe degree, priority, and place.
Q: Please describe esoteric self-confidence.
A: Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful.
Q. What is the specific process for winning this harmony?
A: We must follow, not force Providence.