How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Do what the Buddhists do. Every day, have a little bird on your shoulder that asks, 'Is today the day? Am I ready? Am I doing all I need to do? Am I being the person I want to be?'" (13.9)
Morrie draws from Buddhism here, and the idea is to work on perfecting yourself so that when the time comes, we're ready to go. The people we're accountable to are ourselves.
Quote #2
"Mitch," he said, laughing along, "even I don't know what 'spiritual development' really means. But I do know we're deficient in some way. We are too involved in materialistic things, and they don't satisfy us." (13.40)
Morrie is admitting that spiritual stuff is a lot to figure out, even in his old age. But he does know that it's something that is the opposite of materialism. There's definitely something else out there that we need, because material things just don't cut it.
Quote #3
Do you believe in reincarnation? I ask.
"Perhaps"
What would you come back as?
"If I had my choice, a gazelle." (15.59-62)
Morrie and Mitch are willing to entertain the idea of reincarnation. The idea of being born again as a different creature comes from the Hindu faith. This idea doesn't come up a lot and they aren't even saying that they definitely think it's a true idea, but Morrie is willing to think of it as an option.