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Quote by Maurice Merleau-Ponty

Work

Phenomenology of Perception

This book delves into the philosophical underpinnings of how humans perceive the world around them, examining the relationship between consciousness and sensory experience. more

Author

Maurice Merleau-Ponty
Maurice Merleau-Ponty

Maurice Merleau-Ponty was a French philosopher renowned for his contributions to phenomenology. His seminal work, 'Phenomenology of Perception', delves into the nature of perception and the significance of the body in interpreting the world. Merleau-Ponty's philosophy underscores the centrality of experience and the importance of the lived body. more

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“God works in mysterious ways. Things may look good outwardly, but there may be evil contained inside. Let no one be deluded by pride that he himself has conceived good ideas or done good deeds. If everything were as it seemed, the Prophet would not have cried out with such illuminated and illuminating perspicacity, Show me things as they are! You make things appear beautiful when in reality they are ugly; You make things appear ugly when in reality they are beautiful. Show us therefore each thing as it is lest we fall into a snare and be ever errant.”

“Meditation means awareness. Whatsoever you do with awareness is meditation. Action is not the question, but the quality that you bring to your action. Walking can be a meditation if you walk alertly. Sitting can be a meditation if you sit alertly. Listening to the birds can be a meditation if you listen with awareness. Just listening to the inner noise of your mind can be a meditation if you remain alert and watchful. The whole point is: one should not move in sleep. Then whatsoever you do is meditation.”

“True listening is another way of bringing stillness into the relationship. When you truly listen to someone, the dimension of stillness arises and becomes an essential part of the relationship. But true listening is a rare skill. Usually, the greater part of a person's attention is taken up by their thinking. At best, they may be evaluating your words or preparing the next thing to say. Or they may not be listening at all, lost in their own thoughts.”