Nothing can be known of the life of disembodied spirits or of life after the death of the physical body. Even if such life exists, it is unrelated to man in this world. Whatever ideal realm may exist after this life, it can probably do nothing to ease present sufferings and anxieties.

Seeking earnestly for the attainment of the ideal under the actual conditions of the real world, Shakyamuni, who had already learned that meditation did not lead to his goal, decided to try ascetic austerities. He adopted the standpoint that it is impossible to know whether a thing can or cannot be done until one tries. (Page 25)

Postscript: I want to add this to my stored quotations not because I celebrate the failure of ascetic austerities to ease present sufferings and anxieties. Instead, I celebrate the opportunity each of us has to try – to act – and thus reach for something better.