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歡迎我們的演講嘉賓:世上最幽默的人,傳奇般的喜劇天才,有深度的童書作者,一位富有同情心的人,他為了使世界更美好而付出無數努力-偉大的金凱瑞。
幹嘛坐下?(笑聲)(掌聲)我還想再好好享受呢。(笑聲)(掌聲)你們有辦法拖點時間,對吧?(笑聲)再拖點時間才讓掌聲停下。(笑聲)
謝謝Bevan,謝謝大家,Jai Guru Dev。(梵文,願內心偉大的勝利與你同在)(歡呼聲)(掌聲)
我今天帶了一幅畫作給大家欣賞,希望大家都看得到。(笑聲)這不是我的畫作中最大的。(笑聲)所以你們或許得往前坐才能看清楚。(笑聲)
全體教職員、各位家長、親朋好友、尊貴的來賓、2014年畢業生。(歡呼聲)(掌聲)還有從玉米田冒出、前來共襄盛舉的已逝棒球選手們。(笑聲)(掌聲)收割之後,他們無處可躲。田地空無一物,沒有藏身之處。(笑聲)我今天前來播種,這顆種子將鼓舞你懷抱熱情的心與清晰的意志,在人生道路上向前邁進。問題是,這顆種子有機會紮根嗎?或者我將被孟山都控告,被迫使用他們的種子。(笑聲)(歡呼聲)(掌聲)這大概不算純正的「阿育吠陀」療法。(起源於印度的古老醫療技術)(笑聲)
抱歉,如果我今晚看起來有點恍神-或今天-管他是什麼。(笑聲)我昨晚睡覺時頭是朝北的。(笑聲)(掌聲)天哪!(掌聲)天哪!(掌聲)你們知道這種感覺吧,孩子們?(笑聲)(掌聲)睡夢中突然驚醒,然後輾轉難眠。(此處講者用的是阿育吠陀中的體質分類)快瘋了!但我沒被嚇壞,知道嗎?我趁那段時間吃了一頓大餐,用Tinder(美國風行的約會app)和某個特別的人聊了一會兒。(笑聲)
因為人生並非降臨汝身,而是為汝而生。我怎麼知道?我不知道,但老子讓他聽起來像真的,這是最重要的事。(笑聲)這就是我來這裡的目的。(笑聲)(掌聲)有時我認為這是唯一重要的事,讓彼此知道我們的存在,互相提醒我們是整體的一部分。
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以下為系統截取之原文
Thank you Bevan, thank you all!
I brought one of my paintings to show you today. Hope you guys are gonna be able see it okay. It’s not one of my bigger pieces. You might wanna move down front — to get a good look at it. (kidding)
Faculty, Parents, Friends, Dignitaries... Graduating Class of 2014, and all the dead baseball players coming out of the corn to be with us today. (laughter) After the harvest there’s no place to hide — the fields are empty — there is no cover there! (laughter)
I am here to plant a seed that will inspire you to move forward in life with enthusiastic hearts and a clear sense of wholeness. The question is, will that seed have a chance to take root, or will I be sued by Monsanto and forced to use their seed, which may not be totally “Ayurvedic.” (laughter)
Excuse me if I seem a little low energy tonight — today — whatever this is. I slept with my head to the North last night. (laughter) Oh man! Oh man! You know how that is, right kids? Woke up right in the middle of Pitta and couldn’t get back to sleep till Vata rolled around, but I didn’t freak out. I used that time to eat a large meal and connect with someone special on Tinder. (laughter)
Life doesn’t happen to you, it happens for you. How do I know this? I don’t, but I’m making sound, and that’s the important thing. That’s what I’m here to do. Sometimes, I think that’s one of the only things that are important. Just letting each other know we’re here, reminding each other that we are part of a larger self.
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我曾經認為金凱瑞代表我的一切。
就像閃爍的燈光
舞動的暗影
偽裝成你熟悉事物的虛無
在匆忙挖掘出的洞穴與淺坑中尋求庇護
在鏡中尋找目標的弓箭手
被自己的箭所傷
乞求被奴役
懇求套上鎖鏈
被對天堂的嚮往與執著蒙蔽
能對我說聲「阿門」嗎?
聽眾:「阿門。」(掌聲)
金凱瑞:你們沒想到我能正經八百,對吧?(笑聲)我想你們根本不明白自己面對的是何方神聖!(笑聲)老子可是不受限制的。(歡呼聲)(掌聲)我不受限於任何事物,因為我就是容器。(歡呼聲)(掌聲)你無法把容器裝在容器裡,老兄!(笑聲)你無法把容器裝在容器裡。
我曾經認為所謂的「我」僅止於這副皮囊,我被賜予這輛叫做「身體」的小車,來體驗造物主的奧妙,儘管我應該要求一輛跑車才對。(笑聲)畢竟這只是借用之物,終究得歸還。(笑聲)之後我發現,車外的一切也是我的一部分,所以我現在開的是一輛敞篷車。(笑聲)(掌聲)可以好好享受兜風的樂趣。(掌聲)
我很高興也十分興奮能出席及參與你們人生旅程中這個重要時刻,希望你們已準備好打開車頂,放眼四方。(學生沒反應)好吧,再給我多讀四年!(笑聲)他們顯然還沒準備好。(笑聲)需要好好調教一番。
我想感謝瑪赫西管理大學校董會委員、行政人員及所有教職員,創造出一所符合瑪赫西教育理念的機構,一個傳承知識與經驗的地方-對人生助益良多的知識與經驗,使學生能藉由超覺冥想及古老的維德知識每天偷懶兩次,總共一個半小時。(笑聲)(歡呼聲)(掌聲)別以為你們騙得過我!(笑聲)但我想其中也有一些益處:它確實能讓你認清自己,區分現實與腦海中的想像。你們賦予它置身於大腦精心構築之虛幻場景外的能力,看清想像中要吃掉你的狗與現實中想吃掉你的狗之間的巨大差異。(笑聲)(掌聲)聽起來似乎沒什麼大不了,但很多人無法分辨其中差異,耗費人生中大把光陰猶豫該抵抗還是逃走。(笑聲)
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I used to think Jim Carrey is all that I was...
Just a flickering light
A dancing shadow
The great nothing masquerading as something you can name
Dwelling in forts and castles made of witches – wishes! Sorry, a Freudian slip there
Seeking shelter in caves and foxholes, dug out hastily
An archer searching for his target in the mirror
Wounded only by my own arrows
Begging to be enslaved
Pleading for my chains
Blinded by longing and tripping over paradise – can I get an “Amen”?! (applause)
You didn’t think I could be serious did ya’? I don't think you understand who you're dealing with! I have no limits! I cannot be contained because I’m the container. You can’t contain the container, man! You can’t contain the container! (laughter)
I used to believe that who I was ended at the edge of my skin, that I had been given this little vehicle called a body from which to experience creation, and though I couldn’t have asked for a sportier model, (laughter) it was after all a loaner and would have to be returned. Then, I learned that everything outside the vehicle was a part of me, too, and now I drive a convertible. Top down wind in my hair! (laughter)
I am elated and truly, truly, truly excited to be present and fully connected to you at this important moment in your journey. I hope you’re ready to open the roof and take it all in?! (audience doesn’t react) Okay, four more years then! (laughter)
I want to thank the Trustees, Administrators and Faculty of MUM for creating an institution worthy of Maharishi’s ideals of education. A place that teaches the knowledge and experience necessary to be productive in life, as well as enabling the students, through Transcendental Meditation and ancient Vedic knowledge to slack off twice a day for an hour and a half!! (laughter) — don’t think you’re fooling me!!! — (applause) but, I guess it has some benefits. It does allow you to separate who you truly are and what’s real, from the stories that run through your head.
You have given them the ability to walk behind the mind’s elaborate set decoration, and to see that there is a huge difference between a dog that is going to eat you in your mind and an actual dog that’s going to eat you. (laughter) That may sound like no big deal, but many never learn that distinction and spend a great deal of their lives living in fight or flight response.
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我想感謝各位傑出的家長。(掌聲)這麼做就對了。(掌聲)你們表現得十分出色,你們無止盡地付出你們的愛與支持,最重要的是你們對孩子的關懷。我曾說過,「當心不被關愛的人。」因為他們終將傷害自己,或是我。(笑聲)但當我看著眼前這群人時,我感到十分安全。(笑聲)真的!我一直想告訴你們-我的房間沒上鎖。我的房間沒上鎖。(笑聲)
毫無疑問,你們當中有些人會成為罪犯。(笑聲)但屬於白領那種,你知道,華爾街那種類型,那種自視甚高的人會犯的罪。(笑聲)那種仍不可思議地令家長引以為傲的罪行。(笑聲)
對於2017年畢業生-減三年-(笑聲)讓我把話說完。(笑聲)恭喜各位。是的,給自己來點掌聲吧!(歡呼聲)(掌聲)
你們是知識與意識的先鋒,是廣大海洋中充滿各種可能性的新浪潮。門的另一側是一個渴求新思想、新領袖的世界,我在其中闖蕩了三十年,她還真是隻難纏的野貓。(笑聲)她會在你腳邊磨蹭撒嬌,直到你將她抱起、輕輕撫摸她,卻冷不防地往你臉上狠狠巴一掌。(笑聲)(掌聲)
外面的世界確實充滿艱辛,但沒關係,因為那裡有自助式霜淇淋。(笑聲)還灑著糖粒。這大概就是我真正想對你們說的:有時嚥下自己的感受沒什麼關係。(笑聲)
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I’d like to acknowledge all you wonderful parents — way to go for the fantastic job you’ve done — for your tireless dedication, your love, your support, and most of all, for the attention you’ve paid to your children. I have a saying, “Beware the unloved,” because they will eventually hurt themselves... or me! (laughter)
But when I look at this group here today, I feel really safe! I do! I’m just going to say it — my room is not locked! My room is not locked! (laughter) No doubt some of you will turn out to be crooks! But white-collar stuff — Wall St. ya’ know, that type of thing — crimes committed by people with self-esteem! Stuff a parent can still be proud of in a weird way. (laughter)
And to the graduating class of 2017 — minus 3! You didn't let me finish! (laughter) — Congratulations! (applause) Yes, give yourselves a round of applause, please. You are the vanguard of knowledge and consciousness; a new wave in a vast ocean of possibilities. On the other side of that door, there is a world starving for new leadership, new ideas.
I’ve been out there for 30 years! She’s a wild cat! (laughter) Oh, she’ll rub up against your leg and purr until you pick her up and start pettin’ her, and out of nowhere she’ll swat you in the face. Sure it’s rough sometimes but that’s OK, ‘cause they’ve got soft serve ice cream with sprinkles! (laughter) I guess that’s what I’m really here to say; sometimes it’s okay to eat your feelings! (laughter)
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恐懼將成為你人生的一部分,但它所佔的份量由你決定。你可以窮盡一生,想像未知的恐懼、擔憂通往未來的道路,但所有的未來都構築於當下,以及我們此刻所做的決定,無論基於熱情或恐懼。很多人出於恐懼選擇了自認為實際的道路,我們真正想要的似乎遙不可及、如同癡人說夢,因此我們不敢開口向宇宙祈求。我想告訴各位我就是你可以向宇宙祈求的證據。放膽開口吧!(歡呼聲)(掌聲)如果你的祈求並未立刻實現,只是因為宇宙正忙著實現我的祈求。(笑聲)(掌聲)多得嚇人!
我父親本可以成為偉大的喜劇演員,但他不相信自己有機會成功,因此他做了一個保守的決定,找了一份安穩的會計師工作。當我十二歲時,他失去這份安穩的工作,我們一家人必須竭盡所能地為生存而奮鬥。我從父親身上學到許多珍貴的教訓,最重要的一點是,即使做不想做的事,你也可能一敗塗地,倒不如冒個險,嘗試做自己喜愛的事。(歡呼聲)(掌聲)
但這並非他教導我唯一一件事。我見識過父親的愛與幽默的力量,以及它對周遭世界的影響。於是我想:「這就是我想做的事,值得我花時間嘗試。」不久後,我開始付諸行動。客人來我家拜訪時,也許會遇見一名七歲孩童從高聳的樓梯上滾下來迎接。(笑聲)他們會說:「怎麼了?」我會說:「不知道-重播一遍看看吧!」(笑聲)然後回到樓梯頂端,以慢動作再滾一次。(表演)(笑聲)還真是一家怪咖!(笑聲)我父親總是驕傲地說,我不是火腿(ham,亦有彆腳演員之意),而是一整頭豬。(笑聲)(掌聲)彷彿將我的才華視為他的第二次機會。
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Fear is going to be a player in your life, but you get to decide how much. You can spend your whole life imagining ghosts, worrying about your pathway to the future, but all there will ever be is what’s happening here, and the decisions we make in this moment, which are based in either love or fear.
So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality. What we really want seems impossibly out of reach and ridiculous to expect, so we never dare to ask the universe for it. I’m saying, I’m the proof that you can ask the universe for it — please! (applause) And if it doesn't happen for you right away, it’s only because the universe is so busy fulfilling my order. It’s party size! (laughter)
My father could have been a great comedian, but he didn’t believe that was possible for him, and so he made a conservative choice. Instead, he got a safe job as an accountant, and when I was 12 years old, he was let go from that safe job and our family had to do whatever we could to survive.
I learned many great lessons from my father, not the least of which was that you can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love. (applause)
That’s not the only thing he taught me though: I watched the affect my father’s love and humor had on the world around me, and I thought, “That’s something to do, that’s something worth my time.”
It wasn’t long before I started acting up. People would come over to my house and they would be greeted by a 7 yr old throwing himself down a large flight of stairs. (laughter) They would say, “What happened?” And I would say, “I don't know — let’s check the replay.” And I would go back to the top of the stairs and come back down in slow motion. (Jim reenacts coming down the stairs in slow-mo) It was a very strange household. (laughter). My father used to brag that I wasn’t a ham — I was the whole pig. And he treated my talent as if it was his second chance.
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當我二十八歲,那是我成為職業喜劇演員十年時,某個在洛杉磯的夜晚,我意識到我人生的目標一直是替人們紓解憂慮,正如父親那樣。當我意識到這一點後,便致力於這項新目標:成為人們的「解憂教堂」。(笑聲)FFC教堂。(掌聲)我全心全意地投入這項目標。你們的目標是什麼?你將如何為這個世界奉獻?你的才能可滿足何種需求?這就是你需要弄清楚的事。對於那些完成自我目標的人,我可以過來人身份告訴各位,你們所產生的影響就是最珍貴的資產。(掌聲)你生命中所獲得的一切終將腐朽消逝,剩下的只有存在你內心的東西。我選擇替他人紓解…(掌聲)我選擇替他人紓解憂慮的志向使我登上顛峰。
看看我身在何處、看看我做了什麼。我所到之處-每當提到這個我都會有點激動,因為這個體驗對我來說意義非凡。我做了某些事,使人們對我展現最美好的自我,無論我身處何方。(掌聲)我站在山的巔峰,發現唯一未獲得釋放的是我自己,此時我便開始深入探索真正的自我。我想知道如果默默無聞,我會是什麼樣的人?如果我說的話沒人想聽會如何?如果我辜負了眾人的期待會如何?如果我參加Mardi Gras嘉年華會沒戴面具,或不肯為了一把珠鍊而露出胸部會如何?(笑聲)給你們一點時間忘掉這幅畫面。(笑聲)
但你們擁有巨大的優勢,你們已經知道自己是誰。這份平靜,我們所追求的平靜,超越個人的認知,超越眾人的認知,無法創造及偽裝,甚至並非努力可得。你可投身其中、參與競爭,以任何你想要的形式追求,但為了尋求真正的平靜,你必須卸下盔甲。你對認同感的渴望將使你隱沒於廣大的世界,別讓任何事物遮蔽以這種形式散發出的光芒,勇於讓你的光芒普照世界。(歡呼聲)(掌聲)
這還不夠大。(笑聲)這幅畫這麼大是有原因的。這幅畫的標題是《引人注目》。(笑聲)闡述迎向光芒、勇於展現自我的意涵,以下是這幅畫的微妙之處:每個人都會被光芒吸引,最上方是派對主人,她認為無知即福,不斷提供那些使你空虛的飲料。她的下方是痛苦,他厭惡光芒,無法忍受你的優秀,只希望你是最差的。他的下方是鑽石皇后,需要一位國王替她建個紙牌屋。最下方張著大嘴的人緊緊抱著你的腿、苦苦哀求:「請別拋棄我,我已經自暴自棄了。」
即使那些與你最親密的人、最愛你的人、世上你最愛的人,有時也會成為你的阻礙。我花了幾千個小時完成這幅畫,當我畫完時(掌聲)-謝謝-這幾千個小時一去不復返。(掌聲)一去不復返。(笑聲)我花了很長時間做這件事,一週接一週地,像瘋子似地獨自攀在畫架上。當我完成時,一位朋友說:「這若是螢光畫會很酷。」(笑聲)於是我重頭來過。(驚呼聲)(歡呼聲)(掌聲)
歡迎來到火人節。(笑聲)(掌聲)十分瘋狂的人物,但那裡的狀況比這裡好(指著腦袋)。(掌聲)
作畫是我紓解焦慮的方式之一(掌聲),謝謝。作畫是我紓解焦慮的方式之一,藉由精神、心靈、身體的全副投入脫離世界的方式。但即使如此,我依然擁有難以言喻的不滿足感。因為歸根究柢,我們並非自我創造的化身,並非電影膠片上的畫面,我們是投射於其中的光芒,其他的一切不過是煙霧與鏡像,令人分心,但無法引人注目。
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When I was about 28, after a decade as a professional comedian, I realized one night in LA that the purpose of my life had always been to free people from concern, like my dad. When I realized this, I dubbed my new devotion, “The Church of Freedom From Concern” — “The Church of FFC”— and I dedicated myself to that ministry.
What’s yours? How will you serve the world? What do they need that your talent can provide? That’s all you have to figure out. As someone who has done what you are about to go do, I can tell you from experience, the effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there is. (applause)
Everything you gain in life will rot and fall apart, and all that will be left of you is what was in your heart. My choosing to free people from concern got me to the top of a mountain. Look where I am — look what I get to do! Everywhere I go – and I’m going to get emotional because when I tap into this, it really is extraordinary to me — I did something that makes people present their best selves to me wherever I go. (applause) I am at the top of the mountain and the only one I hadn’t freed was myself and that’s when my search for identity deepened.
I wondered who I’d be without my fame. Who would I be if I said things that people didn’t want to hear, or if I defied their expectations of me? What if I showed up to the party without my Mardi Gras mask and I refused to flash my breasts for a handful of beads? (laughter) I’ll give you a moment to wipe that image out of your mind. (laughter)
But you guys are way ahead of the game. You already know who you are and that peace, that peace that we’re after, lies somewhere beyond personality, beyond the perception of others, beyond invention and disguise, even beyond effort itself. You can join the game, fight the wars, play with form all you want, but to find real peace, you have to let the armor fall. Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Don’t let anything stand in the way of the light that shines through this form. Risk being seen in all of your glory. (A sheet drops and reveals Jim’s painting. Applause.)
(Re: the painting) It’s not big enough! (kidding) This painting is big for a reason. This painting is called “High Visibility.” (laughter) It’s about picking up the light and daring to be seen. Here’s the tricky part. Everyone is attracted to the light. The party host up in the corner (refers to painting) who thinks unconsciousness is bliss and is always offering a drink from the bottles that empty you; Misery, below her, who despises the light — can’t stand when you’re doing well — and wishes you nothing but the worst; The Queen of Diamonds who needs a King to build her house of cards; And the Hollow One, who clings to your leg and begs, “Please don’t leave me behind for I have abandoned myself.”
Even those who are closest to you and most in love with you; the people you love most in the world can find clarity confronting at times. This painting took me thousands of hours to complete and — (applause) thank you — yes, thousands of hours that I’ll never get back, I’ll never get them back (kidding) — I worked on this for so long, for weeks and weeks, like a mad man alone on a scaffolding — and when I was finished one of my friends said, “This would be a cool black light painting.” (laughter)
So I started over. (All the lights go off in the Dome and the painting is showered with black light.) Whooooo! Welcome to Burning Man! (applause) Some pretty crazy characters right? Better up there than in here. (points to head) Painting is one of the ways I free myself from concern, a way to stop the world through total mental, spiritual and physical involvement. But even with that, comes a feeling of divine dissatisfaction. Because ultimately, we’re not the avatars we create. We’re not the pictures on the film stock. We are the light that shines through it. All else is just smoke and mirrors. Distracting, but not truly compelling.
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我常說,我希望所有人都能實現財富與名聲的夢想,這樣他們就會發現這並非他們所追求的圓滿人生。如同在座許多人,我總是擔心踏入這個世界、面對超越自我之事,直到某個比我聰明的人讓我明白,沒有任何事物能超越自我。(笑聲)(歡呼聲)(掌聲)我的靈魂不受限於我的身體,我的身體包含在沒有極限的靈魂中,兩者合而為一,融合成一片虛無,不為任何原因而翩翩起舞,也許只為了安慰和娛樂自身。(掌聲)
當你發生這種轉變,你將不再感受周遭世界的存在,而是世界擁抱你、感受你的存在。我總是站在起點,我有個重置按鈕,我經常按下它。(笑聲)在你的生命中,只要這個按鈕還能用,你的想像力將不再阻止你向前。想像力總是不斷創造各種情節-有好有壞-自我意識總是試著讓你陷入各種虛幻的場景中。(掌聲)我們的雙眼不僅是觀察者,也是投射者,總是在我們眼前的場景投射出另一個故事。恐懼不斷書寫故事,腳本標題是「我永不夠好」。(掌聲)
你可能會看著像我這樣的人說:「我如何才能達到像你這樣的高度,Jim?」
「我如何才能畫出家裡裝不下的畫?」(笑聲)
「若沒有特殊呼吸輔助裝置,如何才能飛得這麼高?」(笑聲)
這就是自我的聲音。(笑聲)如果你聆聽這些聲音,就會覺得總是有人做得比你好。無論你取得什麼成就,自我絕不會讓你喘息。它會告訴你你不能停下腳步,直到在世上留下不可磨滅的印記,直到你永垂不朽。自我的狡猾之處在於,它總是用我們已擁有的東西誘惑我們。(歡呼聲)(掌聲)因此我只是希望你們放鬆一下。(笑聲)你知道這就是我的工作。(笑聲)放鬆一下,想像美好的人生。
我二年級時,一位來自愛爾蘭的代課老師晨禱時對班上同學說,當她想獲得某些東西,無論是什麼,她都會祈禱,並承諾以某種方式作為回報,這個方法屢試不爽。當時我坐在教室後方,心想我家買不起自行車,因此回家後我為此祈禱,承諾每天晚上背誦玫瑰經作為回報。千萬別隨便許下承諾!但兩週後,當我從學校返家時,發現一輛嶄新的越野自行車,配有黃色座椅和便利的車把。(歡呼聲)(掌聲)傻氣的禱告變得酷斃了。(笑聲)家人告訴我,這是我抽獎得到的獎品:一位朋友在我不知情下把我的名字寫上彩券。從那時起,這種事一再發生。
在我看來,這意味著只要讓宇宙知道你想達成的目標,努力朝目標前進,不需理會目標將如何達成。(歡呼聲)(掌聲)你們的職責並非弄清一切將如何發生,而是敞開心中的大門。當現實生活中的大門開啟時,只要進入即可。(掌聲)不要為了錯失機會而擔憂,因為總會有另一扇門為你敞開,機會的大門總會為你而開啟。
當我說:「人生並非降臨汝身,而是為汝而生。」我也不知道是否確實如此。(笑聲)我只是做出有意識的選擇,將挑戰視為有益之事,讓自己以最積極的方式面對生活。你將找出適合自己的生活方式,這個過程也充滿樂趣喔。此外,何不用信念冒個險?(歡呼聲)(掌聲)用信念冒個險。並非信仰,而是信念;並非希望,而是信念。我不相信希望,希望就像乞丐。希望只能帶領你從火堆旁走過,信念將使你一躍而過。(歡呼聲)(掌聲)
你們有能力,也已準備好為這個世界做出美好貢獻。當你今天踏出校門後,只有兩種選擇:熱情或恐懼。選擇熱情吧!別讓恐懼背叛了你的冒險之心。(歡呼聲)(掌聲)
十分感謝,願內心偉大的勝利與你同在。十分榮幸,謝謝。(歡呼聲)(掌聲)
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I’ve often said that I wished people could realize all their dreams of wealth and fame so they could see that it’s not where you’ll find your sense of completion. Like many of you, I was concerned about going out in the world and doing something bigger than myself, until someone smarter than myself made me realize that there is nothing bigger than myself! (laughter)
My soul is not contained within the limits of my body. My body is contained within the limitlessness of my soul — one unified field of nothing dancing for no particular reason, except maybe to comfort and entertain itself. (applause) As that shift happens in you, you won’t be feeling the world you’ll be felt by it — you will be embraced by it. Now, I’m always at the beginning. I have a reset button called presence and I ride that button constantly.
Once that button is functional in your life, there’s no story the mind could create that will be as compelling. The imagination is always manufacturing scenarios — both good and bad — and the ego tries to keep you trapped in the multiplex of the mind. Our eyes are not only viewers, but also projectors that are running a second story over the picture we see in front of us all the time. Fear is writing that script and the working title is, ‘I’ll never be enough.’
You look at a person like me and say, (kidding) “How could we ever hope to reach those kinds of heights, Jim? How can I make a painting that's too big for any reasonable home? How do you fly so high without a special breathing apparatus?” (laughter)
This is the voice of your ego. If you listen to it, there will always be someone who seems to be doing better than you. No matter what you gain, ego will not let you rest. It will tell you that you cannot stop until you’ve left an indelible mark on the earth, until you’ve achieved immortality. How tricky is the ego that it would tempt us with the promise of something we already possess.
So I just want you to relax—that’s my job—relax and dream up a good life! (applause) I had a substitute teacher from Ireland in the second grade that told my class during Morning Prayer that when she wants something, anything at all, she prays for it, and promises something in return and she always gets it. I’m sitting at the back of the classroom, thinking that my family can’t afford a bike, so I went home and I prayed for one, and promised I would recite the rosary every night in exchange. Broke it—broke that promise. (laughter)
Two weeks later, I got home from school to find a brand new mustang bike with a banana seat and easy rider handlebars — from fool to cool! My family informed me that I had won the bike in a raffle that a friend of mine had entered my name in, without my knowledge. That type of thing has been happening ever since, and as far as I can tell, it’s just about letting the universe know what you want and working toward it while letting go of how it might come to pass. (applause)
Your job is not to figure out how it’s going to happen for you, but to open the door in your head and when the doors open in real life, just walk through it. Don’t worry if you miss your cue. There will always be another door opening. They keep opening.
And when I say, “life doesn’t happen to you, it happens for you.” I really don’t know if that’s true. I’m just making a conscious choice to perceive challenges as something beneficial so that I can deal with them in the most productive way. You’ll come up with your own style, that’s part of the fun!
Oh, and why not take a chance on faith as well? Take a chance on faith — not religion, but faith. Not hope, but faith. I don’t believe in hope. Hope is a beggar. Hope walks through the fire. Faith leaps over it.
You are ready and able to do beautiful things in this world and after you walk through those doors today, you will only ever have two choices: love or fear. Choose love, and don’t ever let fear turn you against your playful heart.
Thank you. Jai Guru Dev. I’m so honored. Thank you.