Saturday, June 11, 2011

Does this path have a heart? - Carlos Castaneda

All paths are the same: they lead nowhere.
They are paths going through the bush, or into the bush.
In my own life I could say I have traversed long long paths, but I am not anywhere.

Does this path have a heart?

If it does, the path is good; if it doesn't, it is of no use.
Both paths lead nowhere; but one has a heart, the other doesn't.

One makes for a joyful journey;
as long as you follow it, you are one with it.
The other will make you curse your life.

One makes you strong; the other weakens you.

Before you embark on any path ask the question: Does this path have a heart?
If the answer is no, you will know it, and then you must choose another path.

The trouble is nobody asks the question; and when a man finally realizes that he has taken a path without a heart, the path is ready to kill him. At that point very few men can stop to deliberate, and leave the path.

A path without a heart is never enjoyable. You have to work hard even to take it.
On the other hand, a path with heart is easy; it does not make you work at liking it.

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