To be obsessed by the idea of freedom, for instance, is itself a form of slavery. Such people are in the chains of the hope of freedom, and are therefore able to do little else than struggle with them. Idries Shah More Quotes by Idries Shah More Quotes From Idries Shah Enlightenment must come little by little - otherwise it would overwhelm. Idries Shah enlightenment spiritual littles Knowledge is not gained, it is there all the time. It is the "veils" which have to be dissolved in the mind. Idries Shah veils mind The Sufi way is through knowledge and practice, not through intellect and talk. Idries Shah sufi practice way Opinion is usually something which people have when they lack comprehensive information. Idries Shah information opinion people The word 'choice' is a fraud while people choose only what they have been taught to choose. Idries Shah taught choices people When you realize the difference between the container and the content, you will have knowledge. Idries Shah containers realizing differences Right time, right place, right people equals success. Wrong time, wrong place, wrong people equals most of the real human history. Idries Shah right-time real people Man (and woman) has an infinite capacity for self-development. Equally, he has an infinite capacity for self-destruction. A human being may be clinically alive and yet, despite all appearances, spiritually dead. Idries Shah alive self men Trying to force something is the best way to stop it happening. Idries Shah force trying way Materialism, attachment to things of the world, includes pride. Many religious people suffer from pride: taking pleasure or even delight in being good, or religious. Idries Shah attachment pride religious Have you noticed how many people who walk in the shade curse the Sun? Idries Shah teens healing people Knowledge is something which you can use. Belief is something which uses you. Idries Shah belief use The chicken had his wish, and was magically transformed into a fox. Then he found that he could not digest grain. Idries Shah chickens foxes wish If, from time to time, you give up expectation, you will be able to perceive what it is you are getting. Idries Shah able giving-up expectations You must empty out the dirty water before you fill the pitcher with clean. Idries Shah empty water dirty You are adrift while you still think that a means is an end. Idries Shah adrift mean thinking Meditation - Before you learn how to meditate, you must unlearn what you think meditation might be. Idries Shah meditation might thinking A motto of the human race: Let me do what I like, and give me approval as well. Idries Shah race approval giving Study the assumptions behind your actions. Then study the assumptions behind your assumptions. Idries Shah assumption study action When Fortune knocks, open the door,' they say. But why should one make fortune knock, by keeping the door shut? Idries Shah should fortune doors
