Ming-Dao Deng Quotes

Quotes about:

Spirituality Water

All teachings are mere references. The true experience is living your own life. Then, even the holiest of words are only words.

Ming-Dao Deng

Inspirational, Teacher, Teaching

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It is too facile to say that the way to follow Tao is to simply go along with the flow of life. Sometimes, like the carp, we must know when to go it alone.

Ming-Dao Deng

Way, Flow, Tao

Ming-Dao Deng (2013). “Everyday Tao: Living with Balance and Harmony”, p.23, Harper Collins

35 Copy quote
The moon does not fight. It attacks no one. It does not worry. It does not try to crush others. It keeps to its course, but by its very nature, it gently influences. What other body could pull an entire ocean from shore to shore? The moon is faithful to its nature and its power is never diminished.

Ming-Dao Deng

Crush, Ocean, Fighting

Ming-Dao Deng (2013). “Everyday Tao: Living with Balance and Harmony”, p.8, Harper Collins

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Whether we remain the ash or become the phoenix is up to us.

Ming-Dao Deng

Phoenix, Ashes

32 Copy quote
Some Warriors look fierce, but are mild. Some seem timid, but are vicious. Look beyond appearances; position yourself for the advantage.

Ming-Dao Deng

Fighting, Warrior, Looks

38 Copy quote
A tree uses what comes its way to nurture itself. By sinking its roots deeply into the earth, by accepting the rain that flows towards it, by reaching out to the sun, the tree perfects its character and becomes great. ... Absorb, absorb, absorb. That is the secret of the tree.

Ming-Dao Deng

Rain, Character, Roots

Ming-Dao Deng (2013). “Everyday Tao: Living with Balance and Harmony”, p.18, Harper Collins

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Once we make our decision, all things will come to us. Auspicious signs are not a superstition, but a confirmation. They are a response.

Ming-Dao Deng

Decision, Superstitions, Confirmation

14 Copy quote
The idea that each of us can be directly spiritual is radical. Most religions are based not on teaching adherents to be directly spiritual, but in persuading them to trust in the intercession of ministers or priests. The problem with this approach is that we cannot gain access to spirituality except through the medium of a fallible human being. If we want to see Tao, we need only open our eyes and trust what we see.

Ming-Dao Deng

Spiritual, Teaching, Eye

Ming-Dao Deng (2013). “Everyday Tao: Living with Balance and Harmony”, p.4, Harper Collins

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You may be capable of great things, But life consists of small things.

Ming-Dao Deng

May, Great Things, Small Things

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Reject labels. Reject identities. Reject conformity. Reject convention. Reject definitions. Reject names.

Ming-Dao Deng

Names, Identity, Labels

9 Copy quote
The appreciation of life does not require wealth or plenty. It requires only gratitude for the beauty of the world.

Ming-Dao Deng

Gratitude, Appreciation, Doe

14 Copy quote
Do you want to know how spirituality works? Breathe.

Ming-Dao Deng

Want, Spirituality, Breathe

7 Copy quote
Only when peace lives within each of us, will it live outside of us. We must be the wombs for a new harmony. When it is small, peace is fragile. Like a baby, it needs nurturing attention. We must protect peace from violence and perversion if it is to grow. We must be strong to do this. But force, even in the name of honor, is always tragic. Instead, we must use the strength of wisdom and conscience. Only that power can nurture peace in this difficult time.

Ming-Dao Deng

Baby, Peace, Strong

12 Copy quote
Once you have seen the face of God, you see the same face on everyone you meet.

Ming-Dao Deng

Faces, Same Face

9 Copy quote
An ancient gnarled tree: Too fibrous for a logger's saw, Too twisted to fit a carpenter's square, Outlasts the whole forest.

Ming-Dao Deng

Squares, Tree, Taoism

Ming-Dao Deng (2013). “365 Tao: Daily Meditations”, p.38, Harper Collins

9 Copy quote
A moving door hinge never corrodes. Flowing water never grows stagnant.

Ming-Dao Deng

Moving, Doors, Water

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There is no language of the holy. The sacred lies in the ordinary.

Ming-Dao Deng

Lying, Garden, Religion

Ming-Dao Deng (2013). “365 Tao: Daily Meditations”, p.29, Harper Collins

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Grappling with fate is like meeting an expert wrestler: to escape, you have to accept the fall when you are thrown. The only thing that counts is whether you get back up.

Ming-Dao Deng

Fall, Wrestling, Fate

53 Copy quote
Muddy water will become clear if allowed to stand undisturbed, and so too will the mind become clear if it is allowed to be still.

Ming-Dao Deng

Water, Mind, Clear

Ming-Dao Deng (2013). “365 Tao: Daily Meditations”, p.17, Harper Collins

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Those who don't know how to suffer are the worst off. There are times when the only correct thing we can do is to bear out troubles until a better day.

Ming-Dao Deng

Suffering, Bears, Better Days

10 Copy quote
It is said that if one chooses to pray to a rock with enough devotion, even that rock will come alive.

Ming-Dao Deng

Prayer, Rocks, Alive

Ming-Dao Deng (2013). “365 Tao: Daily Meditations”, p.14, Harper Collins

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Those truly linked don't need correspondence. When they meet again after many years apart, Their friendship is as true as ever.

Ming-Dao Deng

Friendship, Real Friends, Years

10 Copy quote
Give back what you have learned. Share your experience.

Ming-Dao Deng

Giving, Experience, Giving Back

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We need faith, not because there are beings who will punish us or reward us, but because gods are a wonderful way of describing things that are happening to us.

Ming-Dao Deng

Rewards, Way, Needs

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Young people need compassion and guidance, not obscure mysticism. Here are some guidelines for young people: Remember that you are always your own person. Do not surrender your mind, heart, or body to any person. Never compromise your dignity for any reason. Maintain your health with sound diet, hygiene, exercise, and clean living. Don’t engage in drugs or drinking. Money is never more important than your body and mind, but you must work and support yourself. Never depend on others for your livelihood.

Ming-Dao Deng

Drinking, Heart, Exercise

14 Copy quote

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Born: 1954
Occupation: Author
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