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RussBLib

(9,664 posts)
Sat Sep 2, 2023, 04:12 PM Sep 2023

Aldous Huxley from "Island"

...not a very active Group, I see. Ebbs and flows, no doubt.

Ran across a quote by Aldous Huxley which I had never seen, from a book I'd never heard of ("Island" ), but now I must have it.

It’s dark because you are trying too hard.
Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly.
Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply.
Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them.
I was so preposterously serious in those days, such a humorless little prig.
Lightly, lightly – it’s the best advice ever given me.
When it comes to dying even. Nothing ponderous, or portentous, or emphatic.
No rhetoric, no tremolos,
no self conscious persona putting on its celebrated imitation of Christ or Little Nell.
And of course, no theology, no metaphysics.
Just the fact of dying and the fact of the clear light.
So throw away your baggage and go forward.
There are quicksands all about you, sucking at your feet,
trying to suck you down into fear and self-pity and despair.
That’s why you must walk so lightly.
Lightly my darling,
on tiptoes and no luggage,
not even a sponge bag,
completely unencumbered.
~Aldous Huxley

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Aldous Huxley from "Island" (Original Post) RussBLib Sep 2023 OP
IiRC, Huxley appreciated LSD sanatanadharma Sep 2023 #1
Echoing... Ponietz Sep 2023 #2

sanatanadharma

(4,074 posts)
1. IiRC, Huxley appreciated LSD
Sat Sep 2, 2023, 04:23 PM
Sep 2023

Sounds much like the teachings from the Upanishads.

"So throw away your baggage and go forward.
There are quicksands all about you, sucking at your feet,
trying to suck you down into fear and self-pity and despair.
That’s why you must walk so lightly.
Lightly my darling,
on tiptoes and no luggage,
not even a sponge bag,
completely unencumbered."

Ponietz

(3,267 posts)
2. Echoing...
Sat Sep 2, 2023, 04:39 PM
Sep 2023

“Leave everything as it is in fundamental simplicity and clarity will arise by itself.”’ —The Buddha

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