Oh, Father, a brand-new year! What a time to make my deepest, even secret, requests known to You.
-Marion Bond West, author
***
Don't worry if your work is hard and your rewards are few.
Remember the mighty oak was once a nut like you.
-Unknown (submitted by goldenfireangel)
***
A certain man was renowned for his virtue. The king asked him, 'How do you spend your time?' The man replied, 'I spend the nights praying, and I spend the days laboring. I try to regulate my family’s expenses, so I can spend as little time as possible laboring, and as much time as possible praying.' The king gave the man enough money to support himself and his family, so that he could pray during the day as well as the night.
-Sadi, “Gulistan”
***
A long and joyous life rewards those who remain firmly
On the faultless path of Him who controls the five senses.
They alone dispel the mind's distress
Who take refuge at the Feet of the Incomparable One.
They alone can cross life's other oceans who take refuge
At the Feet of the Gracious One, Himself an ocean of virtue.
-Tirukkural 1:6-8
***
Adverse circumstances test our courage, our strength of mind, and the depth of our conviction in the Dharma. There is nothing exceptional about practicing Dharma in a good environment and atmosphere. The true test is if we can maintain our practice in adverse conditions.
-Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey, "Advice From a Spiritual Friend"
Quote
Acceptance is the art of making peace with life, of leaving all our expectations and projected ideals at the door and entering a new world of truth and beauty...The angels help us accept all of life.
-Terry Lynn Taylor,
“Angel Days”
***
The New Year is a time to learn to rely more heavily on the grace of God.
-Unknown
***
Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
***
Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
***
Practice patience; it is the essence of praise.
Have patience, for that is true worship.
No other worship is worth as much.
Have patience; patience is the key to all relief.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
****
Because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. That is not just a dream, but a necessity. We are dependent on each other in so many ways that we can no longer live in isolated communities and ignore what is happening outside those communities.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
***
-Terry Lynn Taylor,
“Angel Days”
***
The New Year is a time to learn to rely more heavily on the grace of God.
-Unknown
***
Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
***
Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
***
Practice patience; it is the essence of praise.
Have patience, for that is true worship.
No other worship is worth as much.
Have patience; patience is the key to all relief.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
****
Because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. That is not just a dream, but a necessity. We are dependent on each other in so many ways that we can no longer live in isolated communities and ignore what is happening outside those communities.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
***
If this is to be a Happy New Year, a year of usefulness, a year in which we shall live to make this earth better, it is because God will direct our pathway. How important then, to feel our dependence upon Him!
-Matthew Simpson
***
My goal in life is to survive. Everything else is just a bonus.
-"The Lockhorns"
***
A man served God for seventy years and then committed a sin which canceled the merit of his service. Afterwards he gave a loaf of bread to a poor man, so God pardoned his sin and gave him back the merit of his seventy years' service. His alms are vain who does not know that his need of the reward for giving is greater than the poor man's need of the gift.
-Muslim Saying
***
Among the profuse precious things a man may acquire,
None surpasses a nature free from envy toward all.
-Tirukkural 162
***
Going along in company together, a wise man
Must mix with other foolish persons.
But on seeing what is wrongful he abandons them.
As a full-fledged heron leaves the marshy ground.
-Udana 8.7
-Matthew Simpson
***
My goal in life is to survive. Everything else is just a bonus.
-"The Lockhorns"
***
A man served God for seventy years and then committed a sin which canceled the merit of his service. Afterwards he gave a loaf of bread to a poor man, so God pardoned his sin and gave him back the merit of his seventy years' service. His alms are vain who does not know that his need of the reward for giving is greater than the poor man's need of the gift.
-Muslim Saying
***
Among the profuse precious things a man may acquire,
None surpasses a nature free from envy toward all.
-Tirukkural 162
***
Going along in company together, a wise man
Must mix with other foolish persons.
But on seeing what is wrongful he abandons them.
As a full-fledged heron leaves the marshy ground.
-Udana 8.7
What is Hazar Imam ni Ohalak???????
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">In Sultan Mohamad Shah farman he have repeatedly put emphasis o­n</P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Hazar Imam ni ohalak….in o­ne of his farman he say Hazar Jhoma ne olkho</P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Which ohalak <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>is he talking about…..we know he is our imam…we know he is the noor of allah then what is the ohalak he want us to have about him…can any o­ne please answer my question……</P><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
office" /><o:p> </o:p></P>
office" /><o:p> </o:p></P>Angels bring a special feeling or knowing that everything is going to be okay. This feeling takes away our immediate fear and worry and puts us into a state of hope. This positive feeling also helps us send comforting thoughts to those around us who are also afraid.
-Barbara Mark and Trudy Griswold,
"The Angespeake Storybook"
***
Faith is a living and unshakable confidence, a belief in God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake.
-Martin Luther
***
It is vain to expect our prayers to be heard, if we do not strive as well as pray.
-Aesop
***
All animals that roam the earth, and all birds that fly through the air, form communities like your own. 'We have left out nothing from our book.' All animals and all birds will be gathered before their Lord. 'Those men and women who deny our revelations, are deaf and dumb; they wander about in utter darkness.'
-Qur'an, Al-An'am, Surah 6:38-39
***
But a man without desires is a lion.
When the senses see him,
It is they who take flight!
They run away like elephants,
As quietly as they can.
As if they cannot escape,
They serve him like slaves.
-Ashtavakra Gita 18:46
***
Considering the harm others do to you
As created by your former deeds, do not anger.
Act such that further suffering will not be created
And your own faults will disappear.
-Nagarjuna, "Precious Garland"
-Barbara Mark and Trudy Griswold,
"The Angespeake Storybook"
***
Faith is a living and unshakable confidence, a belief in God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake.
-Martin Luther
***
It is vain to expect our prayers to be heard, if we do not strive as well as pray.
-Aesop
***
All animals that roam the earth, and all birds that fly through the air, form communities like your own. 'We have left out nothing from our book.' All animals and all birds will be gathered before their Lord. 'Those men and women who deny our revelations, are deaf and dumb; they wander about in utter darkness.'
-Qur'an, Al-An'am, Surah 6:38-39
***
But a man without desires is a lion.
When the senses see him,
It is they who take flight!
They run away like elephants,
As quietly as they can.
As if they cannot escape,
They serve him like slaves.
-Ashtavakra Gita 18:46
***
Considering the harm others do to you
As created by your former deeds, do not anger.
Act such that further suffering will not be created
And your own faults will disappear.
-Nagarjuna, "Precious Garland"
If God wanted you to talk more than he wanted you to listen, he would have given you two mouths and only one ear!
-Curryrice1's Grandmother
***
As for those who seek the transcendental Reality, without name, without form, contemplating the Unmanifested, beyond the reach of thought and of feeling, with their senses subdued and mind serene and striving for the good of all beings, they too will verily come unto me.
-Bhagavad Gita
***
Most people act on their own account; they pursue personal ambitions without seeking God's guidance and grace. By asserting the self they will achieve nothing.
-Junayd: Tawhid
***
Do you want to understand? The whole world is one of your eyes, the body produced by your parents is a cataract. All ordinary people ignore the indestructible, marvelously clear, unfailingly mirroring eye, and cling fast to the dust cataract produced by the relationship of their father and mother. Therefore they take illusions for realities, and grasp at reflections as the physical forms themselves.
-P'u-an
-Curryrice1's Grandmother
***
As for those who seek the transcendental Reality, without name, without form, contemplating the Unmanifested, beyond the reach of thought and of feeling, with their senses subdued and mind serene and striving for the good of all beings, they too will verily come unto me.
-Bhagavad Gita
***
Most people act on their own account; they pursue personal ambitions without seeking God's guidance and grace. By asserting the self they will achieve nothing.
-Junayd: Tawhid
***
Do you want to understand? The whole world is one of your eyes, the body produced by your parents is a cataract. All ordinary people ignore the indestructible, marvelously clear, unfailingly mirroring eye, and cling fast to the dust cataract produced by the relationship of their father and mother. Therefore they take illusions for realities, and grasp at reflections as the physical forms themselves.
-P'u-an
Angelic beings have a free will--just as we have--but one that--unlike ours-–is totally focused on the will of God. This is the reason for their unbridled joy. They have found the secret of true contentment: thinking of and concentrating on God rather than themselves.
-Mary Drahos,
"Angels of God, Guardians Dear"
***
Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past.
-Unknown
***
People may fail many times, but they become failures only when they begin to blame someone else.
-Unknown
***
Being touched by one's children is a delight to the body,
And listening to them chatter is a joy to the ear.
-Tirukkural 65
***
A Sufi was wounded by a leopard. He tried every kind of medicine to heal his wounds, but none was effective. Yet the Sufi never ceased to give thanks to God. Some people said to him: 'You are suffering greatly, and yet you constantly thank God. How is this?' The Sufi replied: 'I give thanks to God that I am suffering a physical wound caused by an animal, and not a spiritual wound caused by sin.'
-Sadi, "Gulistan"
***
From passion arises sorrow and from passion arises fear. If a man is free from passion, he is free from fear and sorrow.
-The Buddha
-Mary Drahos,
"Angels of God, Guardians Dear"
***
Forgiveness is giving up the possibility of a better past.
-Unknown
***
People may fail many times, but they become failures only when they begin to blame someone else.
-Unknown
***
Being touched by one's children is a delight to the body,
And listening to them chatter is a joy to the ear.
-Tirukkural 65
***
A Sufi was wounded by a leopard. He tried every kind of medicine to heal his wounds, but none was effective. Yet the Sufi never ceased to give thanks to God. Some people said to him: 'You are suffering greatly, and yet you constantly thank God. How is this?' The Sufi replied: 'I give thanks to God that I am suffering a physical wound caused by an animal, and not a spiritual wound caused by sin.'
-Sadi, "Gulistan"
***
From passion arises sorrow and from passion arises fear. If a man is free from passion, he is free from fear and sorrow.
-The Buddha
Faith is the first grace and the source of all the others.
-Pope St. Clement XI
***
Fortune and love befriend the bold.
-Ovid
***
Blessed are the believers who are worthy of trust, who keep their promises, and who never neglect their prayers. They are the heirs of paradise; they will live there forever.
-Qur'an, Al-Mu'minun, Surah 23:8-11
***
Both renunciation of action and the selfless performance of action lead to the supreme goal. But the path of action is better than renunciation.
-Bhagavad Gita 5:2
***
From contact comes feeling. From feeling comes reaction. This is what keeps us in the cycle of birth and death. Our reactions to our feelings are our passport to rebirth.
-Ayya Khema, "Being Nobody, Going Nowhere"
-Pope St. Clement XI
***
Fortune and love befriend the bold.
-Ovid
***
Blessed are the believers who are worthy of trust, who keep their promises, and who never neglect their prayers. They are the heirs of paradise; they will live there forever.
-Qur'an, Al-Mu'minun, Surah 23:8-11
***
Both renunciation of action and the selfless performance of action lead to the supreme goal. But the path of action is better than renunciation.
-Bhagavad Gita 5:2
***
From contact comes feeling. From feeling comes reaction. This is what keeps us in the cycle of birth and death. Our reactions to our feelings are our passport to rebirth.
-Ayya Khema, "Being Nobody, Going Nowhere"
Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers.
Pray for power equal to your tasks.
-Phillips Brooks
***
Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
-Unknown (submitted by JoStevens)
***
As he beheld the light of God he felt protected, and was delivered from the throes of doubt.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
***
The creatures that inhabit this earth--be they human beings or animals--are here to contribute, each in its own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
***
Angels visit us on earth to remind us that we have a celestial beginning.
-Kathryn Schein
Pray for power equal to your tasks.
-Phillips Brooks
***
Life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
-Unknown (submitted by JoStevens)
***
As he beheld the light of God he felt protected, and was delivered from the throes of doubt.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
***
The creatures that inhabit this earth--be they human beings or animals--are here to contribute, each in its own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
***
Angels visit us on earth to remind us that we have a celestial beginning.
-Kathryn Schein
Character is what you are in the dark.
-D.L. Moody
***
The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it.
***
I am you, O God. You are my being; you are the fulfillment of all my desires. I embrace you in my innermost thoughts. Your soul and my soul are like two lamps, shedding a single light.
-Hallaj, "Diwan"
***
For have you not heard?
You are pure awareness,
And your beauty is infinite!
So why let lust mislead you?
-Ashtavakra Gita 3:4
***
Faith is the basis of the path, the mother of virtue; it nourishes all roots of goodness.
-Wu-chien
-D.L. Moody
***
The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it.
***
I am you, O God. You are my being; you are the fulfillment of all my desires. I embrace you in my innermost thoughts. Your soul and my soul are like two lamps, shedding a single light.
-Hallaj, "Diwan"
***
For have you not heard?
You are pure awareness,
And your beauty is infinite!
So why let lust mislead you?
-Ashtavakra Gita 3:4
***
Faith is the basis of the path, the mother of virtue; it nourishes all roots of goodness.
-Wu-chien
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
-Matthew 5:8 (Revised Standard Version)
***
It is in love that religion exists and not in ceremony-in the pure and sincere love in the heart. Unless a man is pure in body and mind, his coming into a temple and worshipping Shiva is useless. The prayers of those who are pure in mind and body will be answered by Shiva, and those who are impure and yet try to teach religion to others will fail in the end. External worship is only a symbol of internal worship, but internal worship and purity are the real things. Without them, external worship would be of no avail.
-Vivekananda
***
I seek refuge in Allah from knowledge that brings no wisdom, from a heart that lacks kindness, from desires that bring discontent, and from supplications that go unanswered.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Abu Hurairah
***
Fulfillment of desire is an illusion; desire leads to more desire, not satisfaction.
-Kathleen McDonald, "How to Meditate"
-Matthew 5:8 (Revised Standard Version)
***
It is in love that religion exists and not in ceremony-in the pure and sincere love in the heart. Unless a man is pure in body and mind, his coming into a temple and worshipping Shiva is useless. The prayers of those who are pure in mind and body will be answered by Shiva, and those who are impure and yet try to teach religion to others will fail in the end. External worship is only a symbol of internal worship, but internal worship and purity are the real things. Without them, external worship would be of no avail.
-Vivekananda
***
I seek refuge in Allah from knowledge that brings no wisdom, from a heart that lacks kindness, from desires that bring discontent, and from supplications that go unanswered.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Abu Hurairah
***
Fulfillment of desire is an illusion; desire leads to more desire, not satisfaction.
-Kathleen McDonald, "How to Meditate"
Rather than persistence in service, service consists of courtesy. Observance of courtesy in the course of service is better than service itself.
From The Wisdom of Sufism,
***
After many births the wise seek refuge in me, seeing me everywhere and in everything. Such great souls are very rare.
-Bhagavad Gita 7:19
***
Whenever God has sent an apostle to a city or nation, the wealthy people of that place, living in comfort, have rejected the apostle’s message. They have said to themselves: ‘We have more wealth and more children than those who believe the apostle’s message. That shows that we shall not punished.’ But I say that God gives abundantly to some, and sparingly to others, as he pleases; but most people do not understand this.
-Qur'an, Saba', Surah 34:34-36
***
Defiled by passion, the mind is not released. Defiled by ignorance, discernment does not develop. Thus from the fading of passion is there release of awareness. From the fading of ignorance is there release of discernment.
-Anguttara Nikaya
From The Wisdom of Sufism,
***
After many births the wise seek refuge in me, seeing me everywhere and in everything. Such great souls are very rare.
-Bhagavad Gita 7:19
***
Whenever God has sent an apostle to a city or nation, the wealthy people of that place, living in comfort, have rejected the apostle’s message. They have said to themselves: ‘We have more wealth and more children than those who believe the apostle’s message. That shows that we shall not punished.’ But I say that God gives abundantly to some, and sparingly to others, as he pleases; but most people do not understand this.
-Qur'an, Saba', Surah 34:34-36
***
Defiled by passion, the mind is not released. Defiled by ignorance, discernment does not develop. Thus from the fading of passion is there release of awareness. From the fading of ignorance is there release of discernment.
-Anguttara Nikaya
A Christian is someone who shares the sufferings of God in the world.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
***
True friends are like jewels, precious and rare. False ones are like autumn leaves, found everywhere.
-A Favorite School Teacher
***
Inwardly be free of all hopes and desires, but outwardly do what needs to be done. Without hopes in your heart, live as if you were full of hopes. Live with your heart now cool and now warm, just like everyone else. Inwardly give up the idea "I am the doer," yet outwardly engage in all activities. This is how to live in the world, completely free from the least trace of ego.
-Maharamayana
***
If you are destined for good fortune you will be blessed; if afflictions have been ordained, no matter where you hide they will seek you out. Submit therefore before the will of God; be grateful in well-being and endure adversity with fortitude that His light may radiate within your being.
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, Futhul Ghaib
***
Don't give way to heedlessness
or to intimacy
with sensual delight--
for a heedful person,
absorbed in jhana,
attains an abundance of ease.
-Dhammapada, 2, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
***
True friends are like jewels, precious and rare. False ones are like autumn leaves, found everywhere.
-A Favorite School Teacher
***
Inwardly be free of all hopes and desires, but outwardly do what needs to be done. Without hopes in your heart, live as if you were full of hopes. Live with your heart now cool and now warm, just like everyone else. Inwardly give up the idea "I am the doer," yet outwardly engage in all activities. This is how to live in the world, completely free from the least trace of ego.
-Maharamayana
***
If you are destined for good fortune you will be blessed; if afflictions have been ordained, no matter where you hide they will seek you out. Submit therefore before the will of God; be grateful in well-being and endure adversity with fortitude that His light may radiate within your being.
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, Futhul Ghaib
***
Don't give way to heedlessness
or to intimacy
with sensual delight--
for a heedful person,
absorbed in jhana,
attains an abundance of ease.
-Dhammapada, 2, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Begin by thanking Him for some little thing, and then go on, day by day, adding to your subjects of praise...until you see in everything some cause for thanksgiving.
-Priscilla Maurice
***
O God, it would be impossible for me to distance myself from you; it would be impossible for you to distance yourself from me. In the certainty of our relationship, proximity and distance are the same.
-Hallaj, "Tawasin"
***
Abandoning malicious speech, he abstains from malicious speech; he does not repeat elsewhere what he has heard here in order to divide (those people) from these, nor does he repeat to these people what he has heard elsewhere in order to divide (these people) from those; thus he is one who reunites those who are divided, a promoter of friendships, who enjoys concord, rejoices in concord, delights in concord, a speaker of words that promote concord.
-Majjhima Nikaya
From "365 Buddha
***
Whatever you put your attention on in this life will increase in your life. As you put your attention on angels, they will begin increasingly to make their presence known to you.
-Denise Linn,
"Sacred Space"
-Priscilla Maurice
***
O God, it would be impossible for me to distance myself from you; it would be impossible for you to distance yourself from me. In the certainty of our relationship, proximity and distance are the same.
-Hallaj, "Tawasin"
***
Abandoning malicious speech, he abstains from malicious speech; he does not repeat elsewhere what he has heard here in order to divide (those people) from these, nor does he repeat to these people what he has heard elsewhere in order to divide (these people) from those; thus he is one who reunites those who are divided, a promoter of friendships, who enjoys concord, rejoices in concord, delights in concord, a speaker of words that promote concord.
-Majjhima Nikaya
From "365 Buddha
***
Whatever you put your attention on in this life will increase in your life. As you put your attention on angels, they will begin increasingly to make their presence known to you.
-Denise Linn,
"Sacred Space"
Accept as good whatever happens to you or affects you, knowing that nothing happens without God.
-The Didache
***
Get rich quick! Count your blessings!
-Anonymous (submitted by KingKitKat)
***
Banishing the folly of rebirth and thus beholding
Perfection's True Being - that is wisdom.
-Tirukkural 36:358
***
A veil will divide the blessed from the damned. The damned will cry out to the blessed, "Give us some water. Pour upon us some of the water that God has given you." But the blessed will reply, "God has forbidden water to unbelievers—to those who regard their religion as a hobby, as an idle pastime, and are seduced by the life of this world.
"On that day we shall ignore them, as they ignored that day; they rejected our revelations."
-Qur'an, Al-A'raf, Surah 7:50-51
***
"The results of karma cannot be known by thought, and so should not be speculated about. Thus, thinking, one would come to distraction and distress.
"Therefore, Ananda, do not be the judge of people; do not make assumptions about others. A person is destroyed by holding judgments about others."
-Anguttura Nikaya
***
-The Didache
***
Get rich quick! Count your blessings!
-Anonymous (submitted by KingKitKat)
***
Banishing the folly of rebirth and thus beholding
Perfection's True Being - that is wisdom.
-Tirukkural 36:358
***
A veil will divide the blessed from the damned. The damned will cry out to the blessed, "Give us some water. Pour upon us some of the water that God has given you." But the blessed will reply, "God has forbidden water to unbelievers—to those who regard their religion as a hobby, as an idle pastime, and are seduced by the life of this world.
"On that day we shall ignore them, as they ignored that day; they rejected our revelations."
-Qur'an, Al-A'raf, Surah 7:50-51
***
"The results of karma cannot be known by thought, and so should not be speculated about. Thus, thinking, one would come to distraction and distress.
"Therefore, Ananda, do not be the judge of people; do not make assumptions about others. A person is destroyed by holding judgments about others."
-Anguttura Nikaya
***
Blessed is the man who finds out which way God is moving and then gets going in the same direction.
-Unknown
***
It takes a real storm in the average person's life to make him realize how much worrying he has done over the squalls.
-Unknown
***
The human voice can never reach the distance that is covered by the still small voice of conscience.
-Mahatma Gandhi, 1922
***
Many prayers are declined because of the rank odor of a corrupt heart rising through the beautiful words. Let the words be wrong, but the meaning right. That flawed utterance is dearer to God.
-Rumi, "The Life and Thought of Rumi"
***
Dangerous consequences will follow when politicians and rulers forget moral principles. Whether we believe in God or karma, ethics is the foundation of every religion.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
-Unknown
***
It takes a real storm in the average person's life to make him realize how much worrying he has done over the squalls.
-Unknown
***
The human voice can never reach the distance that is covered by the still small voice of conscience.
-Mahatma Gandhi, 1922
***
Many prayers are declined because of the rank odor of a corrupt heart rising through the beautiful words. Let the words be wrong, but the meaning right. That flawed utterance is dearer to God.
-Rumi, "The Life and Thought of Rumi"
***
Dangerous consequences will follow when politicians and rulers forget moral principles. Whether we believe in God or karma, ethics is the foundation of every religion.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
By a Carpenter mankind was made, and only by that Carpenter can mankind be remade.
-Desiderius Erasmus
***
Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.
-Unknown (submitted by lynneking1178)
***
Poverty is not complete until one likes giving more than receiving.
-Abu Hafs Haddad in "'Attar: Tadhkirat"
***
Considering your dharma, you should not vacillate. For a warrior, nothing is higher than a war against evil. The warrior confronted with such a war should be pleased, Arjuna, for it comes as an open gate to heaven. But if you do not participate in this battle against evil, you will incur sin, violating your dharma and your honor.
-Bhagavad Gita 2:31-33
***
Cut down
The forest of desire,
Not the forest of trees.
From the forest of desire
Come danger & fear.
Having cut down this forest
& its underbrush, monks,
be deforested.
-Dhammapada, 20, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
-Desiderius Erasmus
***
Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.
-Unknown (submitted by lynneking1178)
***
Poverty is not complete until one likes giving more than receiving.
-Abu Hafs Haddad in "'Attar: Tadhkirat"
***
Considering your dharma, you should not vacillate. For a warrior, nothing is higher than a war against evil. The warrior confronted with such a war should be pleased, Arjuna, for it comes as an open gate to heaven. But if you do not participate in this battle against evil, you will incur sin, violating your dharma and your honor.
-Bhagavad Gita 2:31-33
***
Cut down
The forest of desire,
Not the forest of trees.
From the forest of desire
Come danger & fear.
Having cut down this forest
& its underbrush, monks,
be deforested.
-Dhammapada, 20, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
Do not turn away from those who are in need, but share all things in common with your brother. Your heart shall not cling to the high and mighty, but turn to the good and humble folk.
-The Didache
***
Living well and beautifully and justly are all one thing.
-Socrates
***
"I am in all things,
From Brahma to a blade of grass."
When you know this,
You have no thought
For success or failure
Or the mind's inconstancy.
You are pure.
You are still.
-Ashtavakra Gita 11:7
***
Take to compassion and abstain from oppression and obscenity. Compassion is grace and the lack of it a disgrace.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Aisha bint Abu Bakr
***
All beings tremble before violence.
All fear death.
All love life.
See yourself in others.
Then whom can you hurt?
What harm can you do?
-Dhammapada 129-130
-The Didache
***
Living well and beautifully and justly are all one thing.
-Socrates
***
"I am in all things,
From Brahma to a blade of grass."
When you know this,
You have no thought
For success or failure
Or the mind's inconstancy.
You are pure.
You are still.
-Ashtavakra Gita 11:7
***
Take to compassion and abstain from oppression and obscenity. Compassion is grace and the lack of it a disgrace.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Aisha bint Abu Bakr
***
All beings tremble before violence.
All fear death.
All love life.
See yourself in others.
Then whom can you hurt?
What harm can you do?
-Dhammapada 129-130
Fasting confirms our utter dependence upon God by finding in Him a source of sustenance beyond food.
-Dallas Willard
***
Adversity introduces a man to himself.
-Anonymous
***
Believers remember Allah steadfastly and glorify Him morning and evening. For it is He who sends blessings on you as do His angels, that He may lead you from darkness to light. Allah is most beneficent to the devoted.
-Qur'an, Al-Ahzab, Surah 33:41-43
***
"As rivers lose their private name and form
When they reach the sea, so that people speak
Of the sea alone, so all these sixteen
Forms disappear when the Self is realized.
Then there is no more name and form for us,
And we attain immortality."
-Prashna Upanishad
***
A petty officer often thinks of the rules; a seasoned general doesn't talk of soldiering.
-Zen proverb
-Dallas Willard
***
Adversity introduces a man to himself.
-Anonymous
***
Believers remember Allah steadfastly and glorify Him morning and evening. For it is He who sends blessings on you as do His angels, that He may lead you from darkness to light. Allah is most beneficent to the devoted.
-Qur'an, Al-Ahzab, Surah 33:41-43
***
"As rivers lose their private name and form
When they reach the sea, so that people speak
Of the sea alone, so all these sixteen
Forms disappear when the Self is realized.
Then there is no more name and form for us,
And we attain immortality."
-Prashna Upanishad
***
A petty officer often thinks of the rules; a seasoned general doesn't talk of soldiering.
-Zen proverb
A humble person is more likely to be self-confident...a person with real humility knows how much they are loved.
-Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.
***
Death means the attainment of heaven; victory means the enjoyment of the earth. Therefore, rise up…resolved to fight! Having made yourself alike in pain and pleasure, profit and loss, victory and defeat, engage in this great battle and you will be freed from sin.
-Bhagavad Gita 2:37-38
***
Listen to your heart and not your ego. Your ego prompts you to boast of vain assertions to obtain the glory of this world. Turn away from vanity and seek Him in the recesses of your heart and soul.
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
****
Erroneous views keep us in defilement
While right views remove us from it,
But when we are in a position to discard both of them
We are then absolutely pure.
-The Sutra of Hui Neng
From "365 Buddha: Daily
-Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.
***
Death means the attainment of heaven; victory means the enjoyment of the earth. Therefore, rise up…resolved to fight! Having made yourself alike in pain and pleasure, profit and loss, victory and defeat, engage in this great battle and you will be freed from sin.
-Bhagavad Gita 2:37-38
***
Listen to your heart and not your ego. Your ego prompts you to boast of vain assertions to obtain the glory of this world. Turn away from vanity and seek Him in the recesses of your heart and soul.
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
****
Erroneous views keep us in defilement
While right views remove us from it,
But when we are in a position to discard both of them
We are then absolutely pure.
-The Sutra of Hui Neng
From "365 Buddha: Daily
Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too.
-Voltaire
***
All life clings to a body;
perfect goodness clings to all that is modest.
Is not modesty a jewel adorning perfect men?
Without it, is not their strut an awful blemish to behold?
-Tirukkural 102:1013-1014
***
Since reason is our most precious gift from God, we should do nothing to reduce its status or degrade it. Since reason should govern our conduct, we should allow nothing to govern it. Since reason is the sovereign over all human facilities, it should not be made subject to any other faculty.
-Razi, "Kitab al-Muluki"
***
Desires achieved increase thirst like salt water.
-Milarepa, "Drinking the Mountain Stream"
-Voltaire
***
All life clings to a body;
perfect goodness clings to all that is modest.
Is not modesty a jewel adorning perfect men?
Without it, is not their strut an awful blemish to behold?
-Tirukkural 102:1013-1014
***
Since reason is our most precious gift from God, we should do nothing to reduce its status or degrade it. Since reason should govern our conduct, we should allow nothing to govern it. Since reason is the sovereign over all human facilities, it should not be made subject to any other faculty.
-Razi, "Kitab al-Muluki"
***
Desires achieved increase thirst like salt water.
-Milarepa, "Drinking the Mountain Stream"
Among all things that are lovable, there is one that is more lovable than the rest, and that most lovable of all things is life.
-St. Anthony of Padua
***
One of God's arrangements is that after winter there should come beautiful spring days. It happens every year and it happens in every life.
-Father Joseph (Submitted by LotusSong)
***
As a person acts, so he becomes in life. Those who do good become good; those who do harm become bad. Good deeds make one pure; bad deeds make one impure. So we are said to be what our desire is. As our desire is, so is our will. As our will is, so are our acts. As we act, so we become.
-Bihadaranyaka Upanishad
***
Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.
-Qur'an, Al-Ahzab, Surah 33:56
***
Everything comes to pass, nothing comes to stay.
-Matthew Flickstein, "Journey To The Center"
-St. Anthony of Padua
***
One of God's arrangements is that after winter there should come beautiful spring days. It happens every year and it happens in every life.
-Father Joseph (Submitted by LotusSong)
***
As a person acts, so he becomes in life. Those who do good become good; those who do harm become bad. Good deeds make one pure; bad deeds make one impure. So we are said to be what our desire is. As our desire is, so is our will. As our will is, so are our acts. As we act, so we become.
-Bihadaranyaka Upanishad
***
Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.
-Qur'an, Al-Ahzab, Surah 33:56
***
Everything comes to pass, nothing comes to stay.
-Matthew Flickstein, "Journey To The Center"
As the deer panteth for the water,
So my soul longeth after you.
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship you.
-lyrics from "As the Deer"
***
The spiritual path ruins the body, but susequently restores it to health. It ruins the house to reveal the treasure, and with that treasure it builds better than before.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
***
It is my own firm belief that the strength of the soul grows in proportion as you subdue the flesh.
-Mahatma Gandhi, 1924
***
Forming a new world religion is difficult and not particularly desirable. However, in that love is essential to all religions, one could speak of the universal religion of love.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
***
So my soul longeth after you.
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship you.
-lyrics from "As the Deer"
***
The spiritual path ruins the body, but susequently restores it to health. It ruins the house to reveal the treasure, and with that treasure it builds better than before.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
***
It is my own firm belief that the strength of the soul grows in proportion as you subdue the flesh.
-Mahatma Gandhi, 1924
***
Forming a new world religion is difficult and not particularly desirable. However, in that love is essential to all religions, one could speak of the universal religion of love.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
***
Better light work that takes a long time than a hard job that is quickly done.
-Sayings of the Desert Fathers
***
It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.
***
Since reason is our most precious gift from God, we should do nothing to reduce its status or degrade it. Since reason should govern our conduct, we should allow nothing to govern it. Since reason is the sovereign over all human facilities, it should not be made subject to any other faculty.
-Razi, "Kitab al-Muluki"
***
But O how wonderful!
I am the unbounded deep
In whom all living things
Naturally arise,
Rush against each other playfully,
And then subside.
-Ashtavakra Gita 2:25
***
Greed, I say, is a great flood; it is a whirlpool sucking one down, a constant yearning, seeking a hold, continually in movement; difficult to cross is the morass of sensual desire. A sage does not deviate from truth, a brahmana stands on firm ground; renouncing all, he is truly called 'calmed.'
-Sutta Nipata
***
-Sayings of the Desert Fathers
***
It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.
***
Since reason is our most precious gift from God, we should do nothing to reduce its status or degrade it. Since reason should govern our conduct, we should allow nothing to govern it. Since reason is the sovereign over all human facilities, it should not be made subject to any other faculty.
-Razi, "Kitab al-Muluki"
***
But O how wonderful!
I am the unbounded deep
In whom all living things
Naturally arise,
Rush against each other playfully,
And then subside.
-Ashtavakra Gita 2:25
***
Greed, I say, is a great flood; it is a whirlpool sucking one down, a constant yearning, seeking a hold, continually in movement; difficult to cross is the morass of sensual desire. A sage does not deviate from truth, a brahmana stands on firm ground; renouncing all, he is truly called 'calmed.'
-Sutta Nipata
***
All God's plans have the mark of the cross on them, and all His plans have death to self in them.
-E.M. Bounds
***
His miracles are countless,
the waves of His bounty tide upon tide.
These and a hundred times as many miracles
allow the light of His face
to shine inside and out.
***
As for those who seek the transcendental Reality, without name, without form, contemplating the Unmanifested, beyond the reach of thought and of feeling, with their senses subdued and mind serene and striving for the good of all beings, they too will verily come unto me.
-Bhagavad Gita 12:3-4
***
Dwelling in kindness, a monk
with faith in the Awakened One's teaching,
would attain the good state,
the peaceful state:
stilling-of-fabrications ease.
Monk, bail out this boat.
It will take you lightly when bailed.
Having cut through passion, aversion,
you go from there to Unbinding.
-Dhammapada, 25, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
***
Those who content themselves with limited provender, submitting themselves before Allah's will, shall find even a few good deeds of theirs sufficient for divine approval.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by 'Ali bin Abi Talib
From
***
Angels are God's messengers whose chief business is to carry out his orders in the world. He has given them an ambassadorial charge. He has designated and empowered them as holy deputies to perform works of righteousness. In this way they assist him as their creator while he sovereignly controls the universe. So he has given them the capacity to bring holy enterprises to a successful conclusion.
-Billy Graham,
"Angels: God's Secret Agents"
-E.M. Bounds
***
His miracles are countless,
the waves of His bounty tide upon tide.
These and a hundred times as many miracles
allow the light of His face
to shine inside and out.
***
As for those who seek the transcendental Reality, without name, without form, contemplating the Unmanifested, beyond the reach of thought and of feeling, with their senses subdued and mind serene and striving for the good of all beings, they too will verily come unto me.
-Bhagavad Gita 12:3-4
***
Dwelling in kindness, a monk
with faith in the Awakened One's teaching,
would attain the good state,
the peaceful state:
stilling-of-fabrications ease.
Monk, bail out this boat.
It will take you lightly when bailed.
Having cut through passion, aversion,
you go from there to Unbinding.
-Dhammapada, 25, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
***
Those who content themselves with limited provender, submitting themselves before Allah's will, shall find even a few good deeds of theirs sufficient for divine approval.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by 'Ali bin Abi Talib
From
***
Angels are God's messengers whose chief business is to carry out his orders in the world. He has given them an ambassadorial charge. He has designated and empowered them as holy deputies to perform works of righteousness. In this way they assist him as their creator while he sovereignly controls the universe. So he has given them the capacity to bring holy enterprises to a successful conclusion.
-Billy Graham,
"Angels: God's Secret Agents"
[Miracles] are designed with one goal in mind: to bring glory to God.
-Jodie Berndt, "Celebration of Miracles"
***
The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running.
-Anonymous
***
"The wise see the Lord of Love in the month;
Rayi is the dark half, prana the bright.
The wise worship in the light of wisdom,
Others in the darkness of ignorance."
-Prashna Upanishad
***
Half the spiritual life consists in remembering what we are up against and where we are going.
-Ayya Khema, "When the Iron Eagle Flies"
***
Do not dismiss those that call upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking His countenance. You are not accountable for them, just as they are not accountable for you. Then if you drive them away, you yourself may become one of the wrongdoers.
-Qur'an, Al-An'am, Surah 6:52
-Jodie Berndt, "Celebration of Miracles"
***
The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running.
-Anonymous
***
"The wise see the Lord of Love in the month;
Rayi is the dark half, prana the bright.
The wise worship in the light of wisdom,
Others in the darkness of ignorance."
-Prashna Upanishad
***
Half the spiritual life consists in remembering what we are up against and where we are going.
-Ayya Khema, "When the Iron Eagle Flies"
***
Do not dismiss those that call upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking His countenance. You are not accountable for them, just as they are not accountable for you. Then if you drive them away, you yourself may become one of the wrongdoers.
-Qur'an, Al-An'am, Surah 6:52
After all it is those who have a deep and real inner life who are best able to deal with the irritating details of outer life.
-Evelyn Underhill
***
Don't wait for your ship to come in. Row out to meet it.
-Anonymous (submitted by clipperlady)
***
God is Consciousness that pervades the entire universe of the living and the non-living.
-Ramakrishna
***
Strengthen me, my lord,
for I am overcome with feebleness.
Ennoble me once more,
for I have been cast down.
Sustain me, Lord,
for I am impoverished.
-From the prayer book, "Al-Hizbul-A'zam"
***
From this point on you really know. This is called the pinnacle of Zen, the sovereignty of Zen. It is also called knowledge of what is knowable; it produces all the various states of meditation, and anoints the heads of all spiritual princes. In all fields of form, sound, fragrance, flavor, feeling, and phenomena, you realize complete perfect enlightenment. Inside and outside are in complete communion, without any obstruction at all.
-Pai-chang, "The Sphere of the Enlightened"
***
-Evelyn Underhill
***
Don't wait for your ship to come in. Row out to meet it.
-Anonymous (submitted by clipperlady)
***
God is Consciousness that pervades the entire universe of the living and the non-living.
-Ramakrishna
***
Strengthen me, my lord,
for I am overcome with feebleness.
Ennoble me once more,
for I have been cast down.
Sustain me, Lord,
for I am impoverished.
-From the prayer book, "Al-Hizbul-A'zam"
***
From this point on you really know. This is called the pinnacle of Zen, the sovereignty of Zen. It is also called knowledge of what is knowable; it produces all the various states of meditation, and anoints the heads of all spiritual princes. In all fields of form, sound, fragrance, flavor, feeling, and phenomena, you realize complete perfect enlightenment. Inside and outside are in complete communion, without any obstruction at all.
-Pai-chang, "The Sphere of the Enlightened"
***
Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.
-Unknown
***
For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe.
-Anonymous
***
Sometimes servants of God try to behave like the Lord, without a doubt. Sometimes servants of God behave like servants. When they behave like servants, they are truly like the Lord. When they behave like the Lord, they are in a sorry condition.
-Ibn Arabi, "Fusus al-hikam"
***
Filled with wonder, we sing, "I see the Lord."
So his name is Idamdra, "He who sees."
The name Indra stands for Idamdra.
The gods do like to sit behind a veil;
Indeed they like to sit behind a veil.
-Aitareya Upanishad
***
Going along in company together, a wise man
Must mix with other foolish persons.
But on seeing what is wrongful he abandons them.
As a full-fledged heron leaves the marshy ground.
-Udana 8.7
-Unknown
***
For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe.
-Anonymous
***
Sometimes servants of God try to behave like the Lord, without a doubt. Sometimes servants of God behave like servants. When they behave like servants, they are truly like the Lord. When they behave like the Lord, they are in a sorry condition.
-Ibn Arabi, "Fusus al-hikam"
***
Filled with wonder, we sing, "I see the Lord."
So his name is Idamdra, "He who sees."
The name Indra stands for Idamdra.
The gods do like to sit behind a veil;
Indeed they like to sit behind a veil.
-Aitareya Upanishad
***
Going along in company together, a wise man
Must mix with other foolish persons.
But on seeing what is wrongful he abandons them.
As a full-fledged heron leaves the marshy ground.
-Udana 8.7
Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.
-Unknown
***
For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe.
-Anonymous
***
Sometimes servants of God try to behave like the Lord, without a doubt. Sometimes servants of God behave like servants. When they behave like servants, they are truly like the Lord. When they behave like the Lord, they are in a sorry condition.
-Ibn Arabi, "Fusus al-hikam"
***
Filled with wonder, we sing, "I see the Lord."
So his name is Idamdra, "He who sees."
The name Indra stands for Idamdra.
The gods do like to sit behind a veil;
Indeed they like to sit behind a veil.
-Aitareya Upanishad
***
Going along in company together, a wise man
Must mix with other foolish persons.
But on seeing what is wrongful he abandons them.
As a full-fledged heron leaves the marshy ground.
-Udana 8.7
-Unknown
***
For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe.
-Anonymous
***
Sometimes servants of God try to behave like the Lord, without a doubt. Sometimes servants of God behave like servants. When they behave like servants, they are truly like the Lord. When they behave like the Lord, they are in a sorry condition.
-Ibn Arabi, "Fusus al-hikam"
***
Filled with wonder, we sing, "I see the Lord."
So his name is Idamdra, "He who sees."
The name Indra stands for Idamdra.
The gods do like to sit behind a veil;
Indeed they like to sit behind a veil.
-Aitareya Upanishad
***
Going along in company together, a wise man
Must mix with other foolish persons.
But on seeing what is wrongful he abandons them.
As a full-fledged heron leaves the marshy ground.
-Udana 8.7
Faith expects from God what is beyond all expectation.
-Andrew Murray
***
I am fulfilled.
The elements of nature,
The body and the senses,
What are they to me?
Or the mind?
What is emptiness or despair?
-Ashtavakra Gita 20:1
***
By His ordinance He sends down the angels with the Spirit of His divine inspiration to those among His servants that He chooses, enjoining them: "Warn humankind that there is no other God save Me. Therefore remain devoted to Me."
-Qur'an, An-Nahl, Surah 16:2
***
Compassion is characterized as promoting the aspect of allaying suffering. Its function resides in not [enduring] others' suffering. It is manifested as non-cruelty. Its proximate cause is to see helplessness in those overwhelmed by suffering. It succeeds when it makes cruelty subside, and it fails when it produces sorrow.
-Buddhaghosa, "Visuddhimagga"
***
-Andrew Murray
***
I am fulfilled.
The elements of nature,
The body and the senses,
What are they to me?
Or the mind?
What is emptiness or despair?
-Ashtavakra Gita 20:1
***
By His ordinance He sends down the angels with the Spirit of His divine inspiration to those among His servants that He chooses, enjoining them: "Warn humankind that there is no other God save Me. Therefore remain devoted to Me."
-Qur'an, An-Nahl, Surah 16:2
***
Compassion is characterized as promoting the aspect of allaying suffering. Its function resides in not [enduring] others' suffering. It is manifested as non-cruelty. Its proximate cause is to see helplessness in those overwhelmed by suffering. It succeeds when it makes cruelty subside, and it fails when it produces sorrow.
-Buddhaghosa, "Visuddhimagga"
***