Charles Bukowski Quotes

Animals are just pure, uncomplicated entities of creation from God. They live like the Maasai do in Kenya-for each day is forever to them and the "Now" is what they live in. You can get aggravated with your pets and yell at them, but in a matter of minutes they are licking your hand again in love.

Of all animals, the cat alone attains to the comtemplative life. He regards the wheel of existence from without, like the Buddha.

I really don't think I could consent to go to Heaven if I thought there were no animals there.

My feeling or philosophy is closer to Taoism and Zen Buddhism, 'cause it's the most practical.

Asked whether or not he believed in an afterlife, Thoreau quipped, "One world at a time."

Perhaps no philosopher is more correct than the cynic. The happiness of the animal, that thorough cynic, is the living proof of cynicism.

Perhaps that is part of the animals' role among us, to awaken humility, to turn our minds back to the mystery of things, and open our hearts to that most impractical of hopes in which all creation speaks as one.

The animal has secrets which, unlike the secrets of caves, mountains, seas are specifically addressed to man.

Harmony with nature will bring you a happiness known to few city dwellers. In the company of other truth seekers it will be easier for you to meditate and think of God.

Without opening your door, you can open your heart to the world. Without looking out your window, you can see the essence of the Tao. The more you know, the less you understand. The Master arrives without leaving, sees the light without looking, achieves without doing a thing.

My experience with forgiveness is that it sort of comes spontaneously at a certain point and to try to force it it's not really forgiveness. It's Buddhist philosophy or something spiritual jargon that you're trying to live up to but you're just using it against yourself as a reason why you're not okay.

I refuse to believe that we're only here to live and die.

I believe that we don't need to worry about what happens after this life, as long as we do our duty here-to love and to serve.

I do love animals so much, and have a great respect for them emotionally and intellectually, because they are so different from human beings.

I already had the sense that I was someone who was more spiritual than specifically religious. ... I'm really interested in those things that are more far-reaching than culture, nationality, race, religion.

Actually, I have only two things to worry about now: afterlife and reincarnation.

The affirmative of affirmatives... is love.

For it is unknown what is the real nature of the soul, whether it be born with the bodily frame or be infused at the moment of birth, whether it perishes along with us, when death separates the soul and body, or whether it visits the shades of Pluto and bottomless pits, or enters by divine appointment into other animals.

Tis true, 'tis certain; man, though dead, retains Part of himself; the immortal mind remains.

Heaven is purpose, principle, and people. Purgatory is paper and procedure. Hell is rules and regulations.

Don't fear god, Don't worry about death; What is good is easy to get, and What is terrible is easy to endure

We are here to love. Not much else matters.

I cannot be angry at God, in whom I do not believe.

I have done my best. That is about all the philosophy of living one needs.

...I don't have to worry about not meeting His expectations. God will ensure my success in accordance with His plan, not mine.