I thought it would be cool to have a place where we can post excerpts from our favorite books. It doesn't matter what subject it is as long as it means something to you.
I will start with one from a sutra book, The Middle length discourses the Majjhima Nikaya, Discourse 131, "A Single Excellent Night". Not posting this as a religious thing but rather one of presence. It is my favorite.
“Let not a person revive the past
Or on the future build his hopes;
For the past has been left behind
And the future has not been reached.
Instead with insight let him see
Each presently arisen state;
Let him know that and be sure of it,
Invincibly, unshakably.
Today the effort must be made;
Tomorrow Death may come. who knows?
No bargain with Mortality
Can keep him and his hordes away,
But one who dwells thus ardently,
Relentlessly, by day, by night --
It is he, the Peaceful Sage has said,
Who has had a single excellent night.”