Poignancy

I started reading this book recently, and came across a very powerful quote.  Have you ever read something and said; "thats EXACTLY what I've been saying", but its the first time you've ever read what you read?  Confused.  If so, stop reading here.  

The Starting Point

It would be foolish to study more advanced subjects before we are familiar with the starting point, the nature of ego. Speculations about the goal become mere fantasy. These specualtions may take the form of advanced ideas and descriptioins of spiritual experiences, but they only exploit the weaker aspects of human nature, our expectations and desires to see and hear something colorful, something extraordinary. If we begin to study with those dreams of extraordinary, "enlightening", and dramatic experiences, then we will build up our expectations and preconceptions so that later, when we are actually working on the path, our minds will be occupied largely with what will be instead of what is. It is destructive and not fair to play on people's weaknesses, their expectations, and dreams, rather than present the realistic starting point of what they are. It is necessary, therefore, to start on what we are and why we are searching.

-Chogyam Trungpa

1939-1987

r.i.p