I'm not a chauvinist. I'm a universalist. I think that God imploded, like a spiritual big bang, to launch the eight civilizations that make up recorded history and the religions in those civilizations. Huston Smith bangbigchauvinist share on social
Rationalism and Newtonian science has lured us into dark woods, but a new metaphysics can rescue us. Huston Smith darkluremetaphysic Change image and share on social
Exclusively oral cultures are unencumbered by dead knowledge, dead facts. Libraries, on the other hand, are full of them. Huston Smith culturedeadexclusively Change image and share on social
It's often difficult for us to act compassionately, but sacred art eases the difficulty by ennobling us. Huston Smith actartcompassionately Change image and share on social
So always, if we look back, concern for face-to-face morality, and its modern emphasis on justice as well, have historically evolved as religious issues. Huston Smith backconcernemphasis Change image and share on social
I think it matters almost infinitely that we practice one of the authentic religions. But if you mean does it make any difference which. The answer is no, as long as each is followed with equal intensity, sincerity, dedication. Huston Smith answerauthenticdedication share on social
Science is empirical, all about physical senses that tell us about the world. But physical senses are not the only senses we have. Nobody has ever seen a thought. Nobody has ever seen a feeling. And yet thoughts and feelings are where we live our lives most immediately, and science cannot connect with that. Huston Smith connectempiricalfeeling share on social
I don't have any fear of death. I do, however, have an inordinate fear of becoming dependent on other people. To me, that's the severest test, not death. Huston Smith deathdependentfear Change image and share on social
Pure science - this vision of the universe as 15 billion light years across - I am bedazzled and awed by it. Huston Smith awebedazzlebillion Change image and share on social
The faith I was born into formed me. I come from a missionary family - I grew up in China - and in my case, my religious upbringing was positive. Of course, not everyone has this experience. I know many of my students are what I have come to think of as wounded Christians or wounded Jews. Huston Smith bearcasechina share on social