Who reaches with a clumsy hand for a rose must not complain if the thorns scratch.
- Heinrich Heine, "Rabbi of Bacharach"
***
It is better to perform one's own duties imperfectly than to master the duties of another. By fulfilling the obligations he is born with, a person never comes to grief. No one should abandon duties because he sees defects in them. Every action, every activity, is surrounded by defects as a fire is surrounded by smoke.
-Bhagavad Gita 18:47-48
Excerpted from The Bhagavad Gita,
***
Get in touch with who you are. Lead with your own unique style. Be yourself and let God use you.
-Rick Warren
***
Trivial thoughts, insignificant thoughts,
When followed they distract the mind.
Not understanding those thoughts
The roaming mind runs back and forth.
But by understanding those thoughts
One ardent and mindful restrains the mind.
An awakened one has overcome them completely
So they do not arise to distract the mind.
-Udana
From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations
***
Do not regard yourself as infamous or weak.
Reflect upon your aspirations, O noble one.
No matter what your station be,
keep searching.
For this pursuit is a blessed course.
This quest removes all impediments to God.
-Rumi, "The Life and Thought of Rumi"
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
Quote
-
Guest
Everything has to be the way it is and could not possibly be any other way.
-Maharamayana
Reprinted with permission from "The Wisdom of the Hindu Gurus,"
***
Simplicity towards God consists in seeking him only in all our actions.
-St. Jane Frances de Chantal
***
The right attitude for studying the way is just complete spontaneous acquiescence. Who cares whether it takes twenty or thirty years—you'll be naturally at peace, without the slightest bit of doubt or confusion. How can there be any obstruction again after spontaneous acquiescence? How can anyone arrive by way of externals?
-Ming-pen
From "The Pocket Zen Reader,"
***
-Maharamayana
Reprinted with permission from "The Wisdom of the Hindu Gurus,"
***
Simplicity towards God consists in seeking him only in all our actions.
-St. Jane Frances de Chantal
***
The right attitude for studying the way is just complete spontaneous acquiescence. Who cares whether it takes twenty or thirty years—you'll be naturally at peace, without the slightest bit of doubt or confusion. How can there be any obstruction again after spontaneous acquiescence? How can anyone arrive by way of externals?
-Ming-pen
From "The Pocket Zen Reader,"
***
-
Guest
In the hands of a benevolent man,
Wealth is like a medicinal tree whose healing gifts help all.
-Tirukkural 217
Excerpted from the Tirukkural
***
Trust is that rare and priceless treasure that wins us the affection of our heavenly Father.
-Brennan Manning, "Ruthless Trust"
***
Few are the people
who reach the Far Shore.
These others
simply scurry along
this shore.
But those who practice Dhamma
in the line with the well-taught Dhamma,
will cross over the realm of Death
so hard to transcend.
-Dhammapada, 6, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
Behold, We bestowed abundance upon you. Therefore worship your Lord and sacrifice for Him. It is your enemy who will be severed from all good.
-Qur'an, Al-Kauthar, Surah 108:1-3
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
***
I want to sing like the birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think.
-Rumi
***
I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today.
-William Allen White
Wealth is like a medicinal tree whose healing gifts help all.
-Tirukkural 217
Excerpted from the Tirukkural
***
Trust is that rare and priceless treasure that wins us the affection of our heavenly Father.
-Brennan Manning, "Ruthless Trust"
***
Few are the people
who reach the Far Shore.
These others
simply scurry along
this shore.
But those who practice Dhamma
in the line with the well-taught Dhamma,
will cross over the realm of Death
so hard to transcend.
-Dhammapada, 6, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
Behold, We bestowed abundance upon you. Therefore worship your Lord and sacrifice for Him. It is your enemy who will be severed from all good.
-Qur'an, Al-Kauthar, Surah 108:1-3
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
***
I want to sing like the birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think.
-Rumi
***
I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today.
-William Allen White
-
Guest
I am forever pure.
What do I care who knows,
What is known,
Or how it is known?
What do I care for knowledge?
What do I care what is,
Or what is not?
I am forever still.
What are joy or sorrow,
Distraction or concentration,
Understanding or delusion?
-Ashtavakra Gita 20:8-9
From "The Heart of Awareness:
***
Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.
-Luke 23:43 (Revised Standard Version)
***
The mindfulness of in and out breathing, of body contemplation, of keeping consciousness of the moment, is a noble occupation and a sublime way, leading to independence of mind and to wisdom.
-Samyutta Nikaya
From "Buddha Speaks,"
***
Muhammad now felt compelled to speak openly about the divine revelations he had received. At first people were friendly, listening attentively to what he said; and some were quickly convinced by him. But when he disparaged their ancient gods, most took grave offence; they resolved to regard Muhammad as an enemy, and to treat his followers with contempt. Muhammad was distressed at their reaction, but refused to be deterred from obeying God's command. And Abu Talib, Muhammad's uncle, tried to protect him.
-Ibn Ishaq, "The Life of Muhammad"
From "366 Readings From Islam,"
***
The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.
-W.M. Lewis
What do I care who knows,
What is known,
Or how it is known?
What do I care for knowledge?
What do I care what is,
Or what is not?
I am forever still.
What are joy or sorrow,
Distraction or concentration,
Understanding or delusion?
-Ashtavakra Gita 20:8-9
From "The Heart of Awareness:
***
Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.
-Luke 23:43 (Revised Standard Version)
***
The mindfulness of in and out breathing, of body contemplation, of keeping consciousness of the moment, is a noble occupation and a sublime way, leading to independence of mind and to wisdom.
-Samyutta Nikaya
From "Buddha Speaks,"
***
Muhammad now felt compelled to speak openly about the divine revelations he had received. At first people were friendly, listening attentively to what he said; and some were quickly convinced by him. But when he disparaged their ancient gods, most took grave offence; they resolved to regard Muhammad as an enemy, and to treat his followers with contempt. Muhammad was distressed at their reaction, but refused to be deterred from obeying God's command. And Abu Talib, Muhammad's uncle, tried to protect him.
-Ibn Ishaq, "The Life of Muhammad"
From "366 Readings From Islam,"
***
The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.
-W.M. Lewis
-
Guest
To smile at your neighbor is more important than to treat him to a drink.
- Johanan b. Nappaha, Talmud: Ketubot
***
Skillful speech not only means that we pay attention to the words we speak and to their tone but also requires that our words reflect compassion and concern for others and that they help and heal, rather than wound and destroy.
-Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, "Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness"
Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001
***
Had the world been conceived just to praise God, there would be no fervor in glorifying God. Equip man with a sword, remove his infirmities, and see what he will be: a brave knight or a devious thief?
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
***
If you have made mistakes, even serious mistakes, you may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down.
-Mary Pickford
- Johanan b. Nappaha, Talmud: Ketubot
***
Skillful speech not only means that we pay attention to the words we speak and to their tone but also requires that our words reflect compassion and concern for others and that they help and heal, rather than wound and destroy.
-Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, "Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness"
Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001
***
Had the world been conceived just to praise God, there would be no fervor in glorifying God. Equip man with a sword, remove his infirmities, and see what he will be: a brave knight or a devious thief?
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
***
If you have made mistakes, even serious mistakes, you may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down.
-Mary Pickford
-
Guest
It is integrity that invests man with immortality, and bestows upon him the privilege of direct communion with God.
- Bahya b. Asher, Kad HaKemah
***
Never say in weakness, "This task is too difficult,"
For perseverance will give the ability to accomplish it.
-Tirukkural 611
Excerpted from the Tirukkural
***
The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'
-Billy Graham
***
Here the first things
for a discerning monk
are guarding the senses,
contentment,
restraint in line with the Patimokkha.
He should associate with admirable friends,
living purely, untiring,
hospitable by habit,
skilled in his conduct.
Gaining a manifold joy,
he will put an end
to suffering & stress.
-Dhammapada, 25, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
Believers, keep away from excessive suspicion, for suspicion in some cases is a grave crime. Do not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any one of you like to eat the flesh of a dead brother? You certainly abhor that so abhor the other! Remain conscious of Allah, for Allah verily is the Most Relenting and Merciful.
-Qur'an, Al-Hujurat, Surah 49:12-13
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
***
Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.
-Pamela Vault Starr
- Bahya b. Asher, Kad HaKemah
***
Never say in weakness, "This task is too difficult,"
For perseverance will give the ability to accomplish it.
-Tirukkural 611
Excerpted from the Tirukkural
***
The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'
-Billy Graham
***
Here the first things
for a discerning monk
are guarding the senses,
contentment,
restraint in line with the Patimokkha.
He should associate with admirable friends,
living purely, untiring,
hospitable by habit,
skilled in his conduct.
Gaining a manifold joy,
he will put an end
to suffering & stress.
-Dhammapada, 25, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
Believers, keep away from excessive suspicion, for suspicion in some cases is a grave crime. Do not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any one of you like to eat the flesh of a dead brother? You certainly abhor that so abhor the other! Remain conscious of Allah, for Allah verily is the Most Relenting and Merciful.
-Qur'an, Al-Hujurat, Surah 49:12-13
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
***
Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.
-Pamela Vault Starr
-
Guest
If you are doing your best, you will not have time to worry about failure.
-Robert Hillyer
***
Jewish ecstasy does not lie in action. It is rather a capacity for enduring.
- Josef Kastein (1890-1946), author
Reprinted with
***
As a man in the arms of his beloved is not aware of what is without and what is within, so a person in union with the Self is not aware of what is without and what is within, for in that unitive state all desires find their perfect fulfillment. There is no other desire that needs to be fulfilled, and one goes beyond sorrow.
-Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
Excerpted from The Upanishads
***
Hold God's hand on the road of life.
-St. Peter Julian Eymard
***
This body is not yours, nor does it belong to others. It should be seen as the product of the whole of history. In regard to it the wise person will reflect on the nature of conditioning, saying: If this comes into being, that will arise; if this does not come into being, that will not arise.
-Samyutta Nikaya
From "Buddha Speaks
***
Wisdom and power follow endurance and patience.
-The Prophet Muhammad, as reported by Abu Sayeed al-Khodri
Hadith
-Robert Hillyer
***
Jewish ecstasy does not lie in action. It is rather a capacity for enduring.
- Josef Kastein (1890-1946), author
Reprinted with
***
As a man in the arms of his beloved is not aware of what is without and what is within, so a person in union with the Self is not aware of what is without and what is within, for in that unitive state all desires find their perfect fulfillment. There is no other desire that needs to be fulfilled, and one goes beyond sorrow.
-Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
Excerpted from The Upanishads
***
Hold God's hand on the road of life.
-St. Peter Julian Eymard
***
This body is not yours, nor does it belong to others. It should be seen as the product of the whole of history. In regard to it the wise person will reflect on the nature of conditioning, saying: If this comes into being, that will arise; if this does not come into being, that will not arise.
-Samyutta Nikaya
From "Buddha Speaks
***
Wisdom and power follow endurance and patience.
-The Prophet Muhammad, as reported by Abu Sayeed al-Khodri
Hadith
-
Guest
The body is called a field, Arjuna; he who knows it is called the Knower of the field. This is the knowledge of those who know. I am the Knower of the field in everyone, Arjuna. Knowledge of the field and its Knower is true knowledge.
-Bhagavad Gita 13:1-2
Excerpted from The Bhagavad Gita
***
What the great Buddha has praised as pure, the state that is called immediate, there exists nothing equal to that state.
-Sutta Nipata 226
From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations
***
It is the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbor.
-Martin Luther
***
I am neither Christian, nor Jewish, nor Muslim. Doing away with duality, I saw the two worlds as one. I seek One, I know One, I see One, and I call One.
-Rumi, "The Life and Thought"
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
-Bhagavad Gita 13:1-2
Excerpted from The Bhagavad Gita
***
What the great Buddha has praised as pure, the state that is called immediate, there exists nothing equal to that state.
-Sutta Nipata 226
From "365 Buddha: Daily Meditations
***
It is the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbor.
-Martin Luther
***
I am neither Christian, nor Jewish, nor Muslim. Doing away with duality, I saw the two worlds as one. I seek One, I know One, I see One, and I call One.
-Rumi, "The Life and Thought"
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
-
Guest
The noble exploits of our time are our passport to eternity.
- Paul Nathan, German community leader, 1887
***
If the chimney is full of smoke, how can the light be seen? If the mind is full of dirt, how can the soul shine?
-Yogaswami of Jaffna
***
Every perfect life is a parable invented by God.
-Simone Weil
***
The whole world we travel with our thoughts,
Finding nowhere anyone as precious as one's own self.
Since each and every person is so precious to themselves
Let the self-respecting harm no other being.
-Samyutta Nikaya
From "The Pocket Zen Reader
***
The sign of the friend of God is that he has three qualities: a generosity like that of the ocean, a compassion like that of the sun, and a humility like that of the earth.
-Bayazid in 'Attar, "Tadhkirat"
From "The Wisdom of Sufism,"
***
Good friendships are fragile things and require as much care as any other fragile and precious thing.
-Randolph Bourne
- Paul Nathan, German community leader, 1887
***
If the chimney is full of smoke, how can the light be seen? If the mind is full of dirt, how can the soul shine?
-Yogaswami of Jaffna
***
Every perfect life is a parable invented by God.
-Simone Weil
***
The whole world we travel with our thoughts,
Finding nowhere anyone as precious as one's own self.
Since each and every person is so precious to themselves
Let the self-respecting harm no other being.
-Samyutta Nikaya
From "The Pocket Zen Reader
***
The sign of the friend of God is that he has three qualities: a generosity like that of the ocean, a compassion like that of the sun, and a humility like that of the earth.
-Bayazid in 'Attar, "Tadhkirat"
From "The Wisdom of Sufism,"
***
Good friendships are fragile things and require as much care as any other fragile and precious thing.
-Randolph Bourne
-
Guest
Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.
-T.S. Eliot
***
Prosperous as his life may appear, unless a man
measures well his wealth, it will disappear without a trace.
How swiftly a generous man's riches dwindle and die,
if he does not evaluate the limits of his means.
-Tirukkural 48: 479-480
Excerpted from the Tirukkural
***
Those who try to hang on when God is trying to move on will always be miserable.
-Joyce Meyer
***
If knowledgeable people praise him,
having observed him
day after day
to be blameless in conduct, intelligent,
endowed with discernment & virtue:
like an ingot of gold--
who's fit to find fault with him?
Even devas praise him.
Even by Brahmas he's praised.
-Dhammapada, 17, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
But those who believe and work righteousness, and humble themselves before their Lord, they will be companions of the gardens, to dwell therein for aye!
-Qur'an, The Prophet Hud, Surah 11:23
***
Don't let other people tell you what you want.
-Pat Riley
-T.S. Eliot
***
Prosperous as his life may appear, unless a man
measures well his wealth, it will disappear without a trace.
How swiftly a generous man's riches dwindle and die,
if he does not evaluate the limits of his means.
-Tirukkural 48: 479-480
Excerpted from the Tirukkural
***
Those who try to hang on when God is trying to move on will always be miserable.
-Joyce Meyer
***
If knowledgeable people praise him,
having observed him
day after day
to be blameless in conduct, intelligent,
endowed with discernment & virtue:
like an ingot of gold--
who's fit to find fault with him?
Even devas praise him.
Even by Brahmas he's praised.
-Dhammapada, 17, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
But those who believe and work righteousness, and humble themselves before their Lord, they will be companions of the gardens, to dwell therein for aye!
-Qur'an, The Prophet Hud, Surah 11:23
***
Don't let other people tell you what you want.
-Pat Riley
-
Guest
Don't cross the stream to look for water.
-Swedish Proverb (submitted by Superyooper)
***
This itself is the whole of the journey, opening your heart to that which is lovely. Because of their feeling for the lovely, beings who are afraid of birth and death, aging and decaying, are freed from their fear. This is the way you must train yourself: I will become your friend and an intimate of the lovely. To do this I must closely observe and embrace all states of mind that are good.
-Samyutta Nikaya
From "Buddha Speaks,"
***
Since you are in love with yourself, you are inclined to overestimate your own strengths, and underestimate your own weaknesses; equally you are inclined to underestimate the strengths of others, and overestimate their weaknesses. If you allow this attitude to grow freely, without any restraint, it becomes conceit.
-Razi, "Kitab al-Muluki"
From "366 Readings From Islam,"
-Swedish Proverb (submitted by Superyooper)
***
This itself is the whole of the journey, opening your heart to that which is lovely. Because of their feeling for the lovely, beings who are afraid of birth and death, aging and decaying, are freed from their fear. This is the way you must train yourself: I will become your friend and an intimate of the lovely. To do this I must closely observe and embrace all states of mind that are good.
-Samyutta Nikaya
From "Buddha Speaks,"
***
Since you are in love with yourself, you are inclined to overestimate your own strengths, and underestimate your own weaknesses; equally you are inclined to underestimate the strengths of others, and overestimate their weaknesses. If you allow this attitude to grow freely, without any restraint, it becomes conceit.
-Razi, "Kitab al-Muluki"
From "366 Readings From Islam,"
-
Guest
-
Guest
Ease destroys bravery, trouble...creates strength.
- Maimonides, "Guide for the Perplexed"
***
The greatest support we can have is mindfulness, which means being totally present in each moment. If the mind remains centered, it cannot make up stories about the injustice of the world or one's friends, or about one's desires or sorrows. All these stories could fill many volumes, but when we are mindful such verbalizations stop. Being mindful means being fully absorbed in the moment, leaving no room for anything else. We are filled with the momentary happening, whatever it is--standing or sitting or lying down, feeling pleasure or pain--and we maintain a nonjudgmental awareness, a "just knowing."
-Ayya Khema, "Be an Island"
Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001
***
If you want to sit with God, sit with saints. If you do not consort with saints, you will be lost; you will be separated from the whole.
-Rumi, "Masnavi"
From "366 Readings From Islam,"
***
- Maimonides, "Guide for the Perplexed"
***
The greatest support we can have is mindfulness, which means being totally present in each moment. If the mind remains centered, it cannot make up stories about the injustice of the world or one's friends, or about one's desires or sorrows. All these stories could fill many volumes, but when we are mindful such verbalizations stop. Being mindful means being fully absorbed in the moment, leaving no room for anything else. We are filled with the momentary happening, whatever it is--standing or sitting or lying down, feeling pleasure or pain--and we maintain a nonjudgmental awareness, a "just knowing."
-Ayya Khema, "Be an Island"
Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001
***
If you want to sit with God, sit with saints. If you do not consort with saints, you will be lost; you will be separated from the whole.
-Rumi, "Masnavi"
From "366 Readings From Islam,"
***
-
Guest
It is vital that people "count their blessings" to appreciate what they possess without having to undergo its actual loss.
-Abraham Maslow
***
Kind words are the music of the world. They have a power which seems to be beyond natural causes, as if they were some angel’s song which had lost its way and come to earth.
- Frederick William Faber
***
What sort of God would that be who has only one way in which He can be served!
- Yaakov Yitzhak, quoted by Martin Buber, "Way of Man"
***
The most precious wealth is the wealth acquired by the ear
Indeed, of all wealth that wealth is the crown.
Only when no nourishment exists for the ear
Is it time to offer the stomach a morsel.
-Tirukkural 42: 411-412
Excerpted from the Tirukkural
***
Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.
-Henri Nouwen
***
No flower's scent
goes against the wind—
not sandalwood,
jasmine,
tagara.
But the scent of the good
does go against the wind.
The person of integrity
wafts a scent
in every direction.
-Dhammapada, 4, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
All living beings that dwell on the earth are doomed to die. Only your Lord's countenance will abide forever, powerful and glorious. Then which of your Lord's blessings will you deny? All those who dwell in the heavens and on the earth entreat Him for sustenance, and every day He executes universal power. Which then of your Lord's blessings will you deny?
-Qur'an, Ar-Rahman, Surah 55:26-30
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
-Abraham Maslow
***
Kind words are the music of the world. They have a power which seems to be beyond natural causes, as if they were some angel’s song which had lost its way and come to earth.
- Frederick William Faber
***
What sort of God would that be who has only one way in which He can be served!
- Yaakov Yitzhak, quoted by Martin Buber, "Way of Man"
***
The most precious wealth is the wealth acquired by the ear
Indeed, of all wealth that wealth is the crown.
Only when no nourishment exists for the ear
Is it time to offer the stomach a morsel.
-Tirukkural 42: 411-412
Excerpted from the Tirukkural
***
Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.
-Henri Nouwen
***
No flower's scent
goes against the wind—
not sandalwood,
jasmine,
tagara.
But the scent of the good
does go against the wind.
The person of integrity
wafts a scent
in every direction.
-Dhammapada, 4, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
All living beings that dwell on the earth are doomed to die. Only your Lord's countenance will abide forever, powerful and glorious. Then which of your Lord's blessings will you deny? All those who dwell in the heavens and on the earth entreat Him for sustenance, and every day He executes universal power. Which then of your Lord's blessings will you deny?
-Qur'an, Ar-Rahman, Surah 55:26-30
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
-
Guest
Listen for your angel's voice in music, in kind words, and in loving thoughts.
- Suzanne Siegel Zenkel,
"Your Secret Angel"
***
As the skin of a snake is sloughed onto an
Anthill, so does the mortal body fall; but
The Self, freed from the body, merges in
Brahman, infinite life, eternal light.
-Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
Translated by Eknath Easwaran
***
Build your home in such a way that a stranger may feel happy in your midst.
- Theodor Herzl, Dia
***
This is our Lord's will...that our prayer and our trust be, alike, large.
-St. Julian of Norwich
***
Those who maintain kinship with the detached, who continue to provide for those who let them down and willingly forgive their oppressors, shall indeed excel both in this world and the next.
-The Prophet Muhammad, as reported by 'Uqbah bin Amir
Hadith translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed.
***
What is meant by nonduality, Mahatmi? It means that light and shade, long and short, black and white, can only be experienced in relation to each other; light is not independent of shade, nor black of white. There are no opposites, only relationships. In the same way, nirvana and the ordinary world of suffering are not two things but related to each other. There is no nirvana except where the world of suffering is; there is no world of suffering apart from nirvana. For existence is not mutually exclusive.
-Lankavatara Sutra
From "Buddha Speaks,"
***
Avoid the crowd. Do your own thinking independently. Be the chess player, not the chess piece.
-Ralph Charell
- Suzanne Siegel Zenkel,
"Your Secret Angel"
***
As the skin of a snake is sloughed onto an
Anthill, so does the mortal body fall; but
The Self, freed from the body, merges in
Brahman, infinite life, eternal light.
-Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
Translated by Eknath Easwaran
***
Build your home in such a way that a stranger may feel happy in your midst.
- Theodor Herzl, Dia
***
This is our Lord's will...that our prayer and our trust be, alike, large.
-St. Julian of Norwich
***
Those who maintain kinship with the detached, who continue to provide for those who let them down and willingly forgive their oppressors, shall indeed excel both in this world and the next.
-The Prophet Muhammad, as reported by 'Uqbah bin Amir
Hadith translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed.
***
What is meant by nonduality, Mahatmi? It means that light and shade, long and short, black and white, can only be experienced in relation to each other; light is not independent of shade, nor black of white. There are no opposites, only relationships. In the same way, nirvana and the ordinary world of suffering are not two things but related to each other. There is no nirvana except where the world of suffering is; there is no world of suffering apart from nirvana. For existence is not mutually exclusive.
-Lankavatara Sutra
From "Buddha Speaks,"
***
Avoid the crowd. Do your own thinking independently. Be the chess player, not the chess piece.
-Ralph Charell
Do you prefer that you be right, or that you be happy?
-A Course in Miracles
***
May God grant you always
A sunbeam to warm you,
A moonbeam to charm you,
A sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you.
- Irish saying
***
Who ignores the time walks in darkness, and who explores it is illumined by a great light.
- Moses Ibn Ezra, "Shirat Yisrael"
***
They are completely fulfilled by spiritual wisdom and Self-realization. Having conquered their senses, they have climbed to the summit of human consciousness. To such people a clod of dirt, a stone, and gold are the same. They are equally disposed to family, enemies, and friends, to those who support them and those who are hostile, to the good and the evil alike. Because they are impartial, they rise to great heights.
-Bhagavad Gita 6:8-9
***
Sympathy is no substitute for action.
-David Livingstone
***
When the ear hears, observe the mind. Does it get caught up and make a story out of the sound? Is it disturbed? You can know this, stay with it, be aware. At times you may want to escape from the sounds, but that is not the way out. You must escape through awareness.
-Ajahn Chah, "Still Forest Pool"
From "365 Buddha:
***
Knowledge is light; avarice ice.
Knowledge is water; this world dirt.
A trickle of wisdom appears from beyond
to check the vices of this world.
Should the trickle become abundant,
none would endure, be it virtue or vice.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
***
Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.
-Auguste Rodin
-A Course in Miracles
***
May God grant you always
A sunbeam to warm you,
A moonbeam to charm you,
A sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you.
- Irish saying
***
Who ignores the time walks in darkness, and who explores it is illumined by a great light.
- Moses Ibn Ezra, "Shirat Yisrael"
***
They are completely fulfilled by spiritual wisdom and Self-realization. Having conquered their senses, they have climbed to the summit of human consciousness. To such people a clod of dirt, a stone, and gold are the same. They are equally disposed to family, enemies, and friends, to those who support them and those who are hostile, to the good and the evil alike. Because they are impartial, they rise to great heights.
-Bhagavad Gita 6:8-9
***
Sympathy is no substitute for action.
-David Livingstone
***
When the ear hears, observe the mind. Does it get caught up and make a story out of the sound? Is it disturbed? You can know this, stay with it, be aware. At times you may want to escape from the sounds, but that is not the way out. You must escape through awareness.
-Ajahn Chah, "Still Forest Pool"
From "365 Buddha:
***
Knowledge is light; avarice ice.
Knowledge is water; this world dirt.
A trickle of wisdom appears from beyond
to check the vices of this world.
Should the trickle become abundant,
none would endure, be it virtue or vice.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
***
Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.
-Auguste Rodin
-
Guest
If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.
-Buddha
***
The path to sound credence is through the thick forest of skepticism.
- G.J. Nathan, "Matria Critica"
***
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
Reprinted with permission from "The Wisdom of the Hindu Gurus,"
***
I know the power obedience has of making things easy which seem impossible.
-St. Teresa of Avila
***
We also often add to our pain and suffering by being overly sensitive, over-reacting to minor things, and sometimes taking things too personally.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
From "The Pocket Dalai Lama
***
The highest person is he who is of most use to humankind.
-'Ali bin Abi Talib, "Masters of the Path"
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
-Buddha
***
The path to sound credence is through the thick forest of skepticism.
- G.J. Nathan, "Matria Critica"
***
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
Reprinted with permission from "The Wisdom of the Hindu Gurus,"
***
I know the power obedience has of making things easy which seem impossible.
-St. Teresa of Avila
***
We also often add to our pain and suffering by being overly sensitive, over-reacting to minor things, and sometimes taking things too personally.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
From "The Pocket Dalai Lama
***
The highest person is he who is of most use to humankind.
-'Ali bin Abi Talib, "Masters of the Path"
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
-
Guest
Being considerate of others will take your children further in life than any college degree.
-Marian Wright Edelman
***
They say it is to know union with love
That the soul takes union with the body.
Love makes a man affectionate toward all,
And affection affords the priceless treasure of friendship.
They say love's greatness is this: it yields to good families
Worldly happiness here and heavenly bliss there.
-Tirukkural 8:72-74
Excerpted from the Tirukkural
***
If thou art willing to suffer no adversity, how wilt thou be the friend of Christ?
-Thomas à Kempis
***
One who stays focused on the beautiful,
is unrestrained with the senses,
knowing no moderation in food,
apathetic, unenergetic:
Maya overcomes him
as the wind, a weak tree.
One who stays focused on the soul,
is restrained with regard to the senses,
knowing moderation in food,
full of conviction & energy:
Maya does not overcome him
as the wind, a mountain of rock.
-Dhammapada, 1, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
-Marian Wright Edelman
***
They say it is to know union with love
That the soul takes union with the body.
Love makes a man affectionate toward all,
And affection affords the priceless treasure of friendship.
They say love's greatness is this: it yields to good families
Worldly happiness here and heavenly bliss there.
-Tirukkural 8:72-74
Excerpted from the Tirukkural
***
If thou art willing to suffer no adversity, how wilt thou be the friend of Christ?
-Thomas à Kempis
***
One who stays focused on the beautiful,
is unrestrained with the senses,
knowing no moderation in food,
apathetic, unenergetic:
Maya overcomes him
as the wind, a weak tree.
One who stays focused on the soul,
is restrained with regard to the senses,
knowing moderation in food,
full of conviction & energy:
Maya does not overcome him
as the wind, a mountain of rock.
-Dhammapada, 1, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
-
Guest
Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.
-William A. Ward
***
The beginning of all participation in good things is hope.
- Philo, "Abraham"
***
In this world
Men try all kinds of paths.
But they overlook the Self,
The Beloved.
Awake and pure,
Flawless and full,
Beyond the world.
-Ashtavakra Gita 18:35
From "The Heart of Awareness:
***
Those who are afraid of all the sufferings in the world, and yet who are afraid of death, seek for nirvana. But they do not know that the world and death and nirvana are not to be separated from one another. They imagine that nirvana is to be found through annihilation of the senses, not knowing that the world of the senses is already a mirage or a miracle when it is no longer clutched at.
-Lankavatara Sutra
From "Buddha Speaks,"
***
-William A. Ward
***
The beginning of all participation in good things is hope.
- Philo, "Abraham"
***
In this world
Men try all kinds of paths.
But they overlook the Self,
The Beloved.
Awake and pure,
Flawless and full,
Beyond the world.
-Ashtavakra Gita 18:35
From "The Heart of Awareness:
***
Those who are afraid of all the sufferings in the world, and yet who are afraid of death, seek for nirvana. But they do not know that the world and death and nirvana are not to be separated from one another. They imagine that nirvana is to be found through annihilation of the senses, not knowing that the world of the senses is already a mirage or a miracle when it is no longer clutched at.
-Lankavatara Sutra
From "Buddha Speaks,"
***
-
Guest
-
Guest
-
Guest
Only through labor is one at home in the world.
- Berthold Auerbach, "Das Landhaus am Rhein"
***
Those who follow the path of service, who have completely purified themselves and conquered their senses and self-will, see the Self in all creatures and are untouched by any activity they perform.
-Bhagavad Gita 5:7
Excerpted from The Bhagavad Gita, translated by Eknath Easwaran, copyright 1985.
***
My heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee.
-St. Augustine
***
There are too many things in this world to be learned, and life is too short to learn everything, so we should complete that which we have begun rather than dabbling in many things.
-Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey, "Advice From a Spiritual Friend"
Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001.
***
Rejoice in sorrow; it will unite you with God.
Bow down and reach the highest peak.
Turn inward, toward the heart,
and delight in the green shade of trees
and many gushing springs.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
- Berthold Auerbach, "Das Landhaus am Rhein"
***
Those who follow the path of service, who have completely purified themselves and conquered their senses and self-will, see the Self in all creatures and are untouched by any activity they perform.
-Bhagavad Gita 5:7
Excerpted from The Bhagavad Gita, translated by Eknath Easwaran, copyright 1985.
***
My heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee.
-St. Augustine
***
There are too many things in this world to be learned, and life is too short to learn everything, so we should complete that which we have begun rather than dabbling in many things.
-Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey, "Advice From a Spiritual Friend"
Copyright Wisdom Publications 2001.
***
Rejoice in sorrow; it will unite you with God.
Bow down and reach the highest peak.
Turn inward, toward the heart,
and delight in the green shade of trees
and many gushing springs.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
-
Guest
Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?
-Abraham Lincoln
***
The test of humility is your attitude to subordinates.
- Orchot Tzaddikim
***
Even though he has no learning, if a man but listens to the learned
That will be his staff of strength in adversity.
Words from the lips of upright men
Are like a steadying staff in a slippery place.
-Tirukkural 42:414-415
Excerpted from the Tirukkural
***
The will of God for your life is simply that you submit yourself to Him each day and say, "Father, Your will for today is mine. Your pleasure for today is mine. Your work for today is mine. I trust You to be God. You lead me today and I will follow."
-Kay Arthur
***
Better to conquer yourself
than others.
When you've trained yourself,
living in constant self-control,
neither a deva nor gandhabba,
nor a Mara banded with Brahmas,
could turn that triumph
back into defeat.
-Dhammapada, 8, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
Did We not comfort your heart and relieve you of the burden weighing down your back? Did We not exalt your renown? Every hardship is followed by comfort. Indeed every hardship is followed by comfort.
-Qur'an, Ash-Sharh, Surah 94:1-6
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
***
Own only what you can carry with you; know language, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag.
-Alexander Solzhenitsyn
-Abraham Lincoln
***
The test of humility is your attitude to subordinates.
- Orchot Tzaddikim
***
Even though he has no learning, if a man but listens to the learned
That will be his staff of strength in adversity.
Words from the lips of upright men
Are like a steadying staff in a slippery place.
-Tirukkural 42:414-415
Excerpted from the Tirukkural
***
The will of God for your life is simply that you submit yourself to Him each day and say, "Father, Your will for today is mine. Your pleasure for today is mine. Your work for today is mine. I trust You to be God. You lead me today and I will follow."
-Kay Arthur
***
Better to conquer yourself
than others.
When you've trained yourself,
living in constant self-control,
neither a deva nor gandhabba,
nor a Mara banded with Brahmas,
could turn that triumph
back into defeat.
-Dhammapada, 8, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
Did We not comfort your heart and relieve you of the burden weighing down your back? Did We not exalt your renown? Every hardship is followed by comfort. Indeed every hardship is followed by comfort.
-Qur'an, Ash-Sharh, Surah 94:1-6
Translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
***
Own only what you can carry with you; know language, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag.
-Alexander Solzhenitsyn
-
Guest
In the pursuit of happiness, the difficulty lies in knowing when you have caught up.
-R.H. Grenville
***
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.
- Martin Buber
***
Earth, sky, worlds above, quarters and their halves;
Fire, air, sun, moon, and stars; water, herbs, trees,
Space, and entity are the elements.
Eye, ear, mind, tongue, and touch; skin, flesh, muscle.
Marrow, and skeleton; and the five
Vital forces constitute the body.
The sage, contemplating these sets of five,
Discovered that everything is holy.
Man can complete the inner with the outer.
-Taittiriya Upanishad
From The Upanishads, translated by Eknath Easwaran
***
When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.
-Billy Graham
***
"Where, for instance, is the identity of myself? There's a special quality that makes me different from everything else and also from all other selves. And I want that identity, my own self, to continue. So where does that identity dwell?"
"Where indeed?" asked the Buddha. "That self to which you cling is in constant change. Years ago you were a baby, then a youth, and now a man. Which is your true self—that of yesterday, that of today, or that of tomorrow which you so long to preserve?"
"I see I have misunderstood things," replied Kutadanta slowly, "and although I find it hard to endure the light, the truth now dawns on me that there is no separate and enduring self. I will take my refuge in your teaching and find that which is continuing and everlasting in the truth."
-Majjhima Nikaya
From "The Pocket Buddha Reader,"
***
Strive for Paradise. A small nook within its bliss is better than the whole world and all the riches within.
-The Prophet Muhammad, as reported by Abu Hurairah
Hadith translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed
-R.H. Grenville
***
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.
- Martin Buber
***
Earth, sky, worlds above, quarters and their halves;
Fire, air, sun, moon, and stars; water, herbs, trees,
Space, and entity are the elements.
Eye, ear, mind, tongue, and touch; skin, flesh, muscle.
Marrow, and skeleton; and the five
Vital forces constitute the body.
The sage, contemplating these sets of five,
Discovered that everything is holy.
Man can complete the inner with the outer.
-Taittiriya Upanishad
From The Upanishads, translated by Eknath Easwaran
***
When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.
-Billy Graham
***
"Where, for instance, is the identity of myself? There's a special quality that makes me different from everything else and also from all other selves. And I want that identity, my own self, to continue. So where does that identity dwell?"
"Where indeed?" asked the Buddha. "That self to which you cling is in constant change. Years ago you were a baby, then a youth, and now a man. Which is your true self—that of yesterday, that of today, or that of tomorrow which you so long to preserve?"
"I see I have misunderstood things," replied Kutadanta slowly, "and although I find it hard to endure the light, the truth now dawns on me that there is no separate and enduring self. I will take my refuge in your teaching and find that which is continuing and everlasting in the truth."
-Majjhima Nikaya
From "The Pocket Buddha Reader,"
***
Strive for Paradise. A small nook within its bliss is better than the whole world and all the riches within.
-The Prophet Muhammad, as reported by Abu Hurairah
Hadith translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed