Rest. Rest. Rest in God's love. The only work you are required now to do is to give your most intense attention to His still, small voice within.
-Madame Jeanne Guyon
***
Two things a man should never be angry at: what he can help, and what he cannot help.
-Thomas Fuller
***
Dhu'l-Nun was asked: "What causes a devotee to be worthy of entrance to paradise?" He said: "One merits entrance to paradise by five things: unwavering constancy, unflagging effort, meditation on God in solitude and society, anticipating death by preparing provision for the hereafter, and bringing oneself to account before one is brought to judgment."
-'Attar, "Tadhkirat"
***
Intention is the core of all conscious life. It is our intentions that create karma, our intentions that help others, our intentions that lead us away from the delusions of individuality toward the immutable verities of enlightened awareness. Conscious intention colors and moves everything.
-Master Hsing Yun, "Describing the Indescribable"
Quote
The best cure for loneliness is developing an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
-Unknown
***
Tell me whom you love, and I will tell you who you are.
-Houssaye
***
Enjoin worship upon your people and persevere therein. Remember, We do not ask you for any provision. Instead it is We who sustain you. Blessed is the end of the righteous.
-Qur'an, Ta Ha, Surah 20:132
***
We want to worship a living God. I have not seen anything but God all my life, nor have you. To see this chair you first see God, and then the chair in and through Him. He is everywhere, saying, "I am." The moment you feel "I am," you are conscious of Existence. Where shall we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being?
-Vivekananda
***
If you really want freedom, happiness will arise
From happiness will come rapture
When your mind is enraptured, your body is tranquil
When your body is tranquil, you will know bliss
Because you are blissful, your mind will concentrate easily
Being concentrated, you will see things as they really are
In so seeing, you will become aware that life is a miracle
Being so aware, you will lose all your attachments
As you cease grasping, so you will be freed.
-Digha Nikaya
-Unknown
***
Tell me whom you love, and I will tell you who you are.
-Houssaye
***
Enjoin worship upon your people and persevere therein. Remember, We do not ask you for any provision. Instead it is We who sustain you. Blessed is the end of the righteous.
-Qur'an, Ta Ha, Surah 20:132
***
We want to worship a living God. I have not seen anything but God all my life, nor have you. To see this chair you first see God, and then the chair in and through Him. He is everywhere, saying, "I am." The moment you feel "I am," you are conscious of Existence. Where shall we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being?
-Vivekananda
***
If you really want freedom, happiness will arise
From happiness will come rapture
When your mind is enraptured, your body is tranquil
When your body is tranquil, you will know bliss
Because you are blissful, your mind will concentrate easily
Being concentrated, you will see things as they really are
In so seeing, you will become aware that life is a miracle
Being so aware, you will lose all your attachments
As you cease grasping, so you will be freed.
-Digha Nikaya
The depths of our spirituality does not depend upon changing the things we do, but in doing for God what we ordinarily do for ourselves.
-Brother Lawrence
***
Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.
-Confucius (submitted by Nikole)
***
An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.
-Mahatma Gandhi, 1931
***
Knowledge has two wings. Conjecture is one wing. Conjecture alone is lacking and cuts short the flight. The one-winged bird continues to struggle, hoping to reach the nest somehow with one wing. And then wisdom shows his shining face. Delivered from conjecture, the bird now spreads both wings (and soars once again).
-Rumi, "The Life and Thought of Rumi"
***
People must realize that even with all these comforts, all this money and a GNP that increases every year, they are still not happy. They need to understand that the real culprits are our unceasing desires. Our wants have no end.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama, "Imagine All the People"
-Brother Lawrence
***
Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.
-Confucius (submitted by Nikole)
***
An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.
-Mahatma Gandhi, 1931
***
Knowledge has two wings. Conjecture is one wing. Conjecture alone is lacking and cuts short the flight. The one-winged bird continues to struggle, hoping to reach the nest somehow with one wing. And then wisdom shows his shining face. Delivered from conjecture, the bird now spreads both wings (and soars once again).
-Rumi, "The Life and Thought of Rumi"
***
People must realize that even with all these comforts, all this money and a GNP that increases every year, they are still not happy. They need to understand that the real culprits are our unceasing desires. Our wants have no end.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama, "Imagine All the People"
The income of God's Word is the outcome of a changed life.
-Ed Cole
***
Leadership is doing what is right when no one is watching.
-George Van Valkenburg
***
Someone who practices only bhakti yoga is like a blind man who cannot see where to go, and in his enthusiasm wanders off in the wrong direction. Someone who practices only gnana yoga, on the other hand, is like a lame man who can see the distant destination but, because his knowledge remains only theoretical, makes no progress towards it. However, if the love and energy of the bhakta is combined with the wisdom and discrimination of the gnani, seekers are sure to reach their destination.
-Hindu teaching story
***
A group of religious leaders came to Rabi'a. She asked one of them: 'Why do you worship the Lord?' He replied: 'There are seven levels of hell, which I regard with great fear and dread; I wish to avoid passing through them.' She asked another man the same question. He replied: 'There are many levels of paradise, where there is much joy; I wish to dwell in one of the levels.' Rabi'a said: 'It is wrong to worship God from fear of punishment, or from hope of reward.'
-Attar, "Rabi'a"
***
Owing to worldly beliefs, which he is free to accept or reject, a person wanders in Samsara. Therefore, practicing the Dharma, freed from every attachment, grasp the whole essence of these teachings.
-Tibetan Book of The Great Liberation
-Ed Cole
***
Leadership is doing what is right when no one is watching.
-George Van Valkenburg
***
Someone who practices only bhakti yoga is like a blind man who cannot see where to go, and in his enthusiasm wanders off in the wrong direction. Someone who practices only gnana yoga, on the other hand, is like a lame man who can see the distant destination but, because his knowledge remains only theoretical, makes no progress towards it. However, if the love and energy of the bhakta is combined with the wisdom and discrimination of the gnani, seekers are sure to reach their destination.
-Hindu teaching story
***
A group of religious leaders came to Rabi'a. She asked one of them: 'Why do you worship the Lord?' He replied: 'There are seven levels of hell, which I regard with great fear and dread; I wish to avoid passing through them.' She asked another man the same question. He replied: 'There are many levels of paradise, where there is much joy; I wish to dwell in one of the levels.' Rabi'a said: 'It is wrong to worship God from fear of punishment, or from hope of reward.'
-Attar, "Rabi'a"
***
Owing to worldly beliefs, which he is free to accept or reject, a person wanders in Samsara. Therefore, practicing the Dharma, freed from every attachment, grasp the whole essence of these teachings.
-Tibetan Book of The Great Liberation
The Scriptures teach us the best way of living, the noblest way of suffering, and the most comfortable way of dying!
-John Flavel
***
No man was ever wise by chance.
-Seneca
***
Lord, I do not want wealth,
nor children, nor learning. If it be Thy will
I will go to a hundred hells, but grant me this,
that I may love Thee without the hope of reward,
unselfishly love for love’s sake.
-Hindu prayer
***
Good conjecture is a gift from divine grace.
-The Prophet Muhammad, as reported by Abu Hurairah
***
A person getting enlightened is like the moon reflecting in the water. The moon does not get wet, the water is not disturbed. Though it is a great expanse of light, it reflects in a little bit of water; the whole moon and the whole sky reflect even in the dew on the grass; they reflect even in a single drop of water. Enlightenment not disturbing the person is like the moon not piercing the water. A person not obstructing enlightenment is like the dewdrop not obstructing the heavens.
-Dogen, "Flowers Fall"
-John Flavel
***
No man was ever wise by chance.
-Seneca
***
Lord, I do not want wealth,
nor children, nor learning. If it be Thy will
I will go to a hundred hells, but grant me this,
that I may love Thee without the hope of reward,
unselfishly love for love’s sake.
-Hindu prayer
***
Good conjecture is a gift from divine grace.
-The Prophet Muhammad, as reported by Abu Hurairah
***
A person getting enlightened is like the moon reflecting in the water. The moon does not get wet, the water is not disturbed. Though it is a great expanse of light, it reflects in a little bit of water; the whole moon and the whole sky reflect even in the dew on the grass; they reflect even in a single drop of water. Enlightenment not disturbing the person is like the moon not piercing the water. A person not obstructing enlightenment is like the dewdrop not obstructing the heavens.
-Dogen, "Flowers Fall"
Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love, and the future to God’s providence.
-St. Augustine of Hippo
***
Don't solve your problems, dissolve your problems--so that they should not recur again.
-Yogi Bhajan
***
I say to you that you must either believe the Quran or deny it. Some people were given spiritual knowledge before the Quran was revealed. When the Quran is recited to them, they exclaim: 'Glory be to our Lord; his promise has been fulfilled.' They fall down on their faces, and weep; and as they listen to the Quran, their humility increases.
-Qur'an, Al-Isra, Surah 17:107-109
From "366 Readings From Islam," translated
***
One act of pure love in saving life is greater than spending the whole of one’s time in religious offerings to the gods.
-Dhammapada
-St. Augustine of Hippo
***
Don't solve your problems, dissolve your problems--so that they should not recur again.
-Yogi Bhajan
***
I say to you that you must either believe the Quran or deny it. Some people were given spiritual knowledge before the Quran was revealed. When the Quran is recited to them, they exclaim: 'Glory be to our Lord; his promise has been fulfilled.' They fall down on their faces, and weep; and as they listen to the Quran, their humility increases.
-Qur'an, Al-Isra, Surah 17:107-109
From "366 Readings From Islam," translated
***
One act of pure love in saving life is greater than spending the whole of one’s time in religious offerings to the gods.
-Dhammapada
Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it.
-J.I. Packer
***
Growth in wisdom may be exactly measured by decrease in bitterness.
-Friedrich Nietzsche
***
If you return kindness for injuries received and forget both,
Those who harmed you will be punished by their own shame.
-Tirukkural 314
***
Knowledge is the spirit that saves the heart from the death of ignorance; it is the light that saves it from the darkness of iniquity. The hearts of the iniquitous are dead because they are oblivious to God, and the hearts of the heedless are sick because they ignore His commandments.
-Abu Ali Thaqafi, "The Kashf al-Mahjub"
***
Do not go after the past,
Nor lose yourself in the future.
For the past no longer exists,
And the future is not yet here.
By looking deeply at things just as they are,
In this moment, here and now,
The seeker lives calmly and freely.
You should be attentive today,
For waiting until tomorrow is too late.
Death can come and take us by surprise--
How can we gainsay it?
The one who knows
How to live attentively
Night and day
Is the one who knows
The best way to be independent.
-Bhaddekaratta Sutra
-J.I. Packer
***
Growth in wisdom may be exactly measured by decrease in bitterness.
-Friedrich Nietzsche
***
If you return kindness for injuries received and forget both,
Those who harmed you will be punished by their own shame.
-Tirukkural 314
***
Knowledge is the spirit that saves the heart from the death of ignorance; it is the light that saves it from the darkness of iniquity. The hearts of the iniquitous are dead because they are oblivious to God, and the hearts of the heedless are sick because they ignore His commandments.
-Abu Ali Thaqafi, "The Kashf al-Mahjub"
***
Do not go after the past,
Nor lose yourself in the future.
For the past no longer exists,
And the future is not yet here.
By looking deeply at things just as they are,
In this moment, here and now,
The seeker lives calmly and freely.
You should be attentive today,
For waiting until tomorrow is too late.
Death can come and take us by surprise--
How can we gainsay it?
The one who knows
How to live attentively
Night and day
Is the one who knows
The best way to be independent.
-Bhaddekaratta Sutra
Weave the unfailing fabric of God’s Word through your heart and mind. It will hold strong, even if the rest of life unravels.
-Gigi Graham Tchvidjian
***
Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.
-John F. Kennedy
***
Knowledge or ignorance,
Freedom or bondage,
What are they?
What is "I,"
Or "mine,"
Or "this"?
Or the form of the true Self?
I am always one.
What do I care for freedom
In life or in death,
Or for my present karma?
-Ashtavakra Gita 20:3-4
***
The strong man is not the good wrestler; the strong man is only the one who controls himself when he is angry.
-Prophet Muhammad, from Sayings of Muhammad by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad
***
Just as a monkey roaming through the forest grabs hold of one branch, lets that go and grabs another, then lets go and grabs still another, so too that which is called "mind" and "mentality" and "consciousness" arises as one thing and ceases as another by day and by night.
-Buddha, "The Connected Discourses of the Buddha"
-Gigi Graham Tchvidjian
***
Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.
-John F. Kennedy
***
Knowledge or ignorance,
Freedom or bondage,
What are they?
What is "I,"
Or "mine,"
Or "this"?
Or the form of the true Self?
I am always one.
What do I care for freedom
In life or in death,
Or for my present karma?
-Ashtavakra Gita 20:3-4
***
The strong man is not the good wrestler; the strong man is only the one who controls himself when he is angry.
-Prophet Muhammad, from Sayings of Muhammad by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad
***
Just as a monkey roaming through the forest grabs hold of one branch, lets that go and grabs another, then lets go and grabs still another, so too that which is called "mind" and "mentality" and "consciousness" arises as one thing and ceases as another by day and by night.
-Buddha, "The Connected Discourses of the Buddha"
A man may study because his brain is hungry for knowledge, even Bible knowledge. But he prays because his soul is hungry for God.
-Leonard Ravenhill
***
Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
-Mother Teresa
***
If you follow the greater majority on earth they would lead you astray. They follow nothing but the conjectures of others and mislead those who follow them. Your Lord knows best who stray from the path of Truth; He knows best who are rightly guided.
-Qur'an, Al-An'am, Surah 6:117-18
***
The point is to love God even as the mother loves her child, the chaste wife her husband, and the worldly man his wealth. Join together these three forces of love, these three powers of attraction, and direct them all to God. Then you will certainly see him.
-Ramakrishna
***
Plunge boldly into the Beyond, then be free wherever you are.
-Shoitsu
-Leonard Ravenhill
***
Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
-Mother Teresa
***
If you follow the greater majority on earth they would lead you astray. They follow nothing but the conjectures of others and mislead those who follow them. Your Lord knows best who stray from the path of Truth; He knows best who are rightly guided.
-Qur'an, Al-An'am, Surah 6:117-18
***
The point is to love God even as the mother loves her child, the chaste wife her husband, and the worldly man his wealth. Join together these three forces of love, these three powers of attraction, and direct them all to God. Then you will certainly see him.
-Ramakrishna
***
Plunge boldly into the Beyond, then be free wherever you are.
-Shoitsu
Either we are adrift in chaos or we are individuals, created, loved, upheld and placed purposefully, exactly where we are. Can you believe that? Can you trust God for that?
-Elisabeth Elliot
***
Great occasions do not make heroes or cowards; they simply unveil them to the eyes. Silently and imperceptibly, as we wake or sleep, we grow strong or we grow weak, and at last some crisis shows us what we have become.
-Bishop Westcott
***
God sometimes does try to the uttermost those whom he wishes to bless.
-Mahatma Gandhi, 1931
***
If in the darkness of ignorance,
you don’t recognize a person’s true nature,
look to see whom he has chosen for his leader.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi" [IV, 1640]
***
When we demand the rights and freedoms we so cherish, we should also be aware of our responsibilities. If we accept that the others have an equal right to peace and happiness as ourselves, do we not have a responsibility to help those in need?
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
-Elisabeth Elliot
***
Great occasions do not make heroes or cowards; they simply unveil them to the eyes. Silently and imperceptibly, as we wake or sleep, we grow strong or we grow weak, and at last some crisis shows us what we have become.
-Bishop Westcott
***
God sometimes does try to the uttermost those whom he wishes to bless.
-Mahatma Gandhi, 1931
***
If in the darkness of ignorance,
you don’t recognize a person’s true nature,
look to see whom he has chosen for his leader.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi" [IV, 1640]
***
When we demand the rights and freedoms we so cherish, we should also be aware of our responsibilities. If we accept that the others have an equal right to peace and happiness as ourselves, do we not have a responsibility to help those in need?
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
The Christian message is what sets Christian music apart. We've got hope, and we’ve got to be upfront about that hope.
-Rebecca St. James
***
Hearing is one of the body's five senses. But listening is an art.
-Frank Tyger
***
He alone sees truly who sees the Lord the same in every creature, who sees the Deathless in the hearts of all that die. Seeing the same Lord everywhere, he does not harm himself or others. Thus he attains the supreme goal.
-Bhagavad Gita 13: 27-28
***
Since the dawn of human consciousness, religion has been the mightiest force driving humankind toward an unknown goal. It has allowed the teeming millions to experience a greater joy and a creative fervor; it has furnished them with the strength and the courage to achieve imperishable cultural feats and enabled them to reach unimaginable spiritual heights.
-Muhammad Asad Loepold Weiss, "Islamic Sufism"
***
Overcoming attachment does not mean becoming cold and indifferent. On the contrary, it means learning to have relaxed control over our mind through understanding the real causes of happiness and fulfillment, and this enables us to enjoy life more and suffer less.
-Kathleen McDonald, "How to Meditate"
-Rebecca St. James
***
Hearing is one of the body's five senses. But listening is an art.
-Frank Tyger
***
He alone sees truly who sees the Lord the same in every creature, who sees the Deathless in the hearts of all that die. Seeing the same Lord everywhere, he does not harm himself or others. Thus he attains the supreme goal.
-Bhagavad Gita 13: 27-28
***
Since the dawn of human consciousness, religion has been the mightiest force driving humankind toward an unknown goal. It has allowed the teeming millions to experience a greater joy and a creative fervor; it has furnished them with the strength and the courage to achieve imperishable cultural feats and enabled them to reach unimaginable spiritual heights.
-Muhammad Asad Loepold Weiss, "Islamic Sufism"
***
Overcoming attachment does not mean becoming cold and indifferent. On the contrary, it means learning to have relaxed control over our mind through understanding the real causes of happiness and fulfillment, and this enables us to enjoy life more and suffer less.
-Kathleen McDonald, "How to Meditate"
Spirituality is important in every aspect of my life. I mean, that's why I'm here. That's what I've been blessed to do.
-Denzel Washington
***
Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change.
-Erick Golnik
***
Hasten with your charity, because disaster does not trample it.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by 'Ali bin Abi Talib
***
Fire is not seen until one firestick rubs
Against another, though fire is still there,
Hidden in the firestick. So does the Lord
Remain hidden in the body until
He is revealed through the mystic mantram.
Let your body be the lower firestick;
Let the mantram be the upper. Rub them
Against each other in meditation
And realize the Lord.
-Shvetashvatara Upanishad
***
The Buddha said: "When a person has thoroughly understood the world, from top to bottom, when there is nothing in the world that agitates him anymore, then he has become somebody who is free from confusion and fears and tremblings and the longings of desire. He has gone beyond getting old and beyond birth and death."
-Sutta Nipata
-Denzel Washington
***
Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change.
-Erick Golnik
***
Hasten with your charity, because disaster does not trample it.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by 'Ali bin Abi Talib
***
Fire is not seen until one firestick rubs
Against another, though fire is still there,
Hidden in the firestick. So does the Lord
Remain hidden in the body until
He is revealed through the mystic mantram.
Let your body be the lower firestick;
Let the mantram be the upper. Rub them
Against each other in meditation
And realize the Lord.
-Shvetashvatara Upanishad
***
The Buddha said: "When a person has thoroughly understood the world, from top to bottom, when there is nothing in the world that agitates him anymore, then he has become somebody who is free from confusion and fears and tremblings and the longings of desire. He has gone beyond getting old and beyond birth and death."
-Sutta Nipata
A mother is not a person to lean on,
but a person to make leaning unnecessary.
-Dorothy Canfield Fisher
****
Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of.
-Anonymous
***
My Guru told me;"Trust me. I tell you; you are divine. Take it as the absolute truth. Your joy is divine, your suffering is divine too. All comes from God. Remember it always. You are God, your will alone is done." I did believe him and soon realized how wonderfully true and accurate were his words.
-Nisargadatta Maharaj
***
Believers, uphold justice. Always bear true witness, even if it be against yourself, your parents, or your relatives—and regardless of whether the person against whom you are speaking is rich or poor. God is close to people regardless of their material circumstances. Do not be led by emotion, as this may cause you to swerve from the truth. If you distort your testimony, or refuse to testify, remember that God is aware of all your actions.
-Qur'an, An-Nisa, Surah 4:135
***
The pain, the discomfort, the sickness are what they are. We can always cope with the way life moves and changes. The mind of an enlightened human being is flexible and adaptable. The mind of the ignorant person is conditioned and fixed.
-Ajahn Sumedho, “Seeing the Way”
but a person to make leaning unnecessary.
-Dorothy Canfield Fisher
****
Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of.
-Anonymous
***
My Guru told me;"Trust me. I tell you; you are divine. Take it as the absolute truth. Your joy is divine, your suffering is divine too. All comes from God. Remember it always. You are God, your will alone is done." I did believe him and soon realized how wonderfully true and accurate were his words.
-Nisargadatta Maharaj
***
Believers, uphold justice. Always bear true witness, even if it be against yourself, your parents, or your relatives—and regardless of whether the person against whom you are speaking is rich or poor. God is close to people regardless of their material circumstances. Do not be led by emotion, as this may cause you to swerve from the truth. If you distort your testimony, or refuse to testify, remember that God is aware of all your actions.
-Qur'an, An-Nisa, Surah 4:135
***
The pain, the discomfort, the sickness are what they are. We can always cope with the way life moves and changes. The mind of an enlightened human being is flexible and adaptable. The mind of the ignorant person is conditioned and fixed.
-Ajahn Sumedho, “Seeing the Way”
I cannot forget my mother. She is my bridge. When I needed to get across, she steadied herself long enough for me to run across safely.
-Renita Weems
***
An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy.
-Spanish Proverb
***
She heard a voice in her ears: 'Be careful, lest you want me to fulfill your material desires, and take away your desire for me. Material desires and the desire for me cannot exist within the same heart.'
-Attar, "Rabi'a"
***
If you desire liberation,
But you still say "mine,"
If you feel you are the body,
You are not a wise man or a seeker.
You are simply a man who suffers.
-Ashtavakra Gita 16:10
***
The mind is often compared to a horseman and the breath to the horse. A wild and untamed horse is difficult for the rider; a very good and well-trained horse is quite useful. If both rider and horse are extremely well trained and skilled, an excellent combination has been made.
-Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, "Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen"
-Renita Weems
***
An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy.
-Spanish Proverb
***
She heard a voice in her ears: 'Be careful, lest you want me to fulfill your material desires, and take away your desire for me. Material desires and the desire for me cannot exist within the same heart.'
-Attar, "Rabi'a"
***
If you desire liberation,
But you still say "mine,"
If you feel you are the body,
You are not a wise man or a seeker.
You are simply a man who suffers.
-Ashtavakra Gita 16:10
***
The mind is often compared to a horseman and the breath to the horse. A wild and untamed horse is difficult for the rider; a very good and well-trained horse is quite useful. If both rider and horse are extremely well trained and skilled, an excellent combination has been made.
-Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, "Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen"
It is not how much you do, but how much Love you put into the doing that matters.
-Mother Teresa
***
All I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother.
-Abraham Lincoln
***
People shed whole jugs of tears for wife and children. They swim in tears for money. But who weeps for God? Cry to Him with a real cry.
-Ramakrishna
***
We have ordained humankind to show kindness toward their parents, for in pain their mothers carry them and in pain do they give birth. In thirty months they bear and wean; thus when they attain maturity they may pray, "Lord, inspire us that we may be thankful for the blessings You bestowed upon us and our parents. Kindle within us the desire to do what is upright and pleasing to You. Grant us righteous offspring, Lord. Verily, we turn to You in repentance, surrendering ourselves in earnest."
-Qur'an, Al-Ahqaf, Surah 46:15
***
There is an extremely easy way to become Buddha. Refraining from all evil, not clinging to birth and death, working in deep compassion for all sentient beings, respecting those over you and pitying those below you, without any detesting or desiring, worrying or lamentation—this is what is called Buddha. Do not search beyond it.
-“Birth and Death,” by Zen Master Dogen
-Mother Teresa
***
All I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother.
-Abraham Lincoln
***
People shed whole jugs of tears for wife and children. They swim in tears for money. But who weeps for God? Cry to Him with a real cry.
-Ramakrishna
***
We have ordained humankind to show kindness toward their parents, for in pain their mothers carry them and in pain do they give birth. In thirty months they bear and wean; thus when they attain maturity they may pray, "Lord, inspire us that we may be thankful for the blessings You bestowed upon us and our parents. Kindle within us the desire to do what is upright and pleasing to You. Grant us righteous offspring, Lord. Verily, we turn to You in repentance, surrendering ourselves in earnest."
-Qur'an, Al-Ahqaf, Surah 46:15
***
There is an extremely easy way to become Buddha. Refraining from all evil, not clinging to birth and death, working in deep compassion for all sentient beings, respecting those over you and pitying those below you, without any detesting or desiring, worrying or lamentation—this is what is called Buddha. Do not search beyond it.
-“Birth and Death,” by Zen Master Dogen
Beautiful pearl of advices
Ya Ali Madad
While I was thinking following beautiful pearl of advices came to my mind and kept it writing and that turn into 'the beautiful pearl of advices' which I post below;
Beautiful pearl of advices
The more you read; more you learn
The more you write; more you develop
The more you think; more you get mature
The more you be with; more you understand
The more you fight; more you get distance
The more you cooperate; more you gain
The more you humble; more you become intelligent
The more you arrogant; more you go non-sense
The more you stubborn; more you take U turn
The more you open minded; more you find
The more you respect; more you in command
The more you suspect; least you get respect
The more you thinking; more you clicking
The more you outspoken; least you reckon
The more you lonely; more you remain disturb
The more you in line of truth; get divinely fruits
The more you meditate; more you dedicate
The more you sensible; more you acceptable
The more you realistic; more you accomplish
The more you practice; the more you establish
The more you intuitive; serve your motive
The more you negative; least you intuitive
The more you help; more you flourish
The more you smile; more you go cherish
The more you simple; more you become humble
The more you in light; more you get delight
The more you religious; more you become serene
The more you honest; more you safe and secure
The more you in politics; more you worried
The more you with elites; more you get vision
The more you intelligent; more you have talents
The more you superstitious; more you suspicious
Amir Samji
Thank you so much for your time.
While I was thinking following beautiful pearl of advices came to my mind and kept it writing and that turn into 'the beautiful pearl of advices' which I post below;
Beautiful pearl of advices
The more you read; more you learn
The more you write; more you develop
The more you think; more you get mature
The more you be with; more you understand
The more you fight; more you get distance
The more you cooperate; more you gain
The more you humble; more you become intelligent
The more you arrogant; more you go non-sense
The more you stubborn; more you take U turn
The more you open minded; more you find
The more you respect; more you in command
The more you suspect; least you get respect
The more you thinking; more you clicking
The more you outspoken; least you reckon
The more you lonely; more you remain disturb
The more you in line of truth; get divinely fruits
The more you meditate; more you dedicate
The more you sensible; more you acceptable
The more you realistic; more you accomplish
The more you practice; the more you establish
The more you intuitive; serve your motive
The more you negative; least you intuitive
The more you help; more you flourish
The more you smile; more you go cherish
The more you simple; more you become humble
The more you in light; more you get delight
The more you religious; more you become serene
The more you honest; more you safe and secure
The more you in politics; more you worried
The more you with elites; more you get vision
The more you intelligent; more you have talents
The more you superstitious; more you suspicious
Amir Samji
Thank you so much for your time.
If you want to have sustained joy, you have to not only make sure that you think right, but you also have to make decisions now that are going to guarantee some joy in the future.
-Joyce Meyer
***
Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.
-Karl Barth
***
In this world there are two orders of being: the perishable, separate creature and the changeless spirit. But beyond these there is another, the supreme Self, the eternal Lord, who enters into the entire cosmos and supports it from within.
-Bhagavad Gita 15:16-17
***
Unless a benefit exists for someone else within,
buried in such a heart,
rough-hewn granite
and precious stones are one.
-Sa’di: “Kulliyyat-I Sa’di”
***
We meet to part again. I have no words to respond to this double inspiration.
-Wen Chao, The Clouds Should Know Me By Now
-Joyce Meyer
***
Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.
-Karl Barth
***
In this world there are two orders of being: the perishable, separate creature and the changeless spirit. But beyond these there is another, the supreme Self, the eternal Lord, who enters into the entire cosmos and supports it from within.
-Bhagavad Gita 15:16-17
***
Unless a benefit exists for someone else within,
buried in such a heart,
rough-hewn granite
and precious stones are one.
-Sa’di: “Kulliyyat-I Sa’di”
***
We meet to part again. I have no words to respond to this double inspiration.
-Wen Chao, The Clouds Should Know Me By Now
If there are two persons praying, there are three. If three meet to pray, there are four praying. There is always one more than you can see.
-S.D. Gordon
***
To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.
-Henri Bergson
***
Constant development is the law of life, and a man who always tries to maintain his dogmas in order to appear consistent drives himself into a false position.
-Mahatma Gandhi, 1928
***
The light of God is an ornament of wisdom.
That is the meaning of "light upon light."
The light of reason draws toward the earth.
The light of God carries you aloft.
Things of reason are of the lower world.
The light of God is an ocean,
reason merely a dewdrop.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
***
In religion there are no national boundaries. A religion can and should be used by any people or person who finds it beneficial.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
-S.D. Gordon
***
To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.
-Henri Bergson
***
Constant development is the law of life, and a man who always tries to maintain his dogmas in order to appear consistent drives himself into a false position.
-Mahatma Gandhi, 1928
***
The light of God is an ornament of wisdom.
That is the meaning of "light upon light."
The light of reason draws toward the earth.
The light of God carries you aloft.
Things of reason are of the lower world.
The light of God is an ocean,
reason merely a dewdrop.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
***
In religion there are no national boundaries. A religion can and should be used by any people or person who finds it beneficial.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
To have prevented one single sin is reward enough for the labors and efforts of a whole lifetime.
-St. Ignatius of Loyola
***
Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.
-Albert Schweitzer
***
Mind is consciousness which has put on limitations. You are originally unlimited and perfect. Later you take on limitations and become the mind.
-Sri Ramana Maharshi
***
You are the sole companion of my heart, though my body is available for those who wish its company. This body is hospitable to its guests; the love of my heart is the guest of my soul.
-Rabi'a, "Rabi’a the Mystic"
***
Tibetan lamas often say: "Not seeing is the perfect seeing." Strange words, perhaps, but they have a profound meaning. They describe the advanced meditator's experience of spacious, universal reality, the experience beyond dualism.
-Lama Thubten Yeshe, "Introduction to Tantra"
-St. Ignatius of Loyola
***
Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.
-Albert Schweitzer
***
Mind is consciousness which has put on limitations. You are originally unlimited and perfect. Later you take on limitations and become the mind.
-Sri Ramana Maharshi
***
You are the sole companion of my heart, though my body is available for those who wish its company. This body is hospitable to its guests; the love of my heart is the guest of my soul.
-Rabi'a, "Rabi’a the Mystic"
***
Tibetan lamas often say: "Not seeing is the perfect seeing." Strange words, perhaps, but they have a profound meaning. They describe the advanced meditator's experience of spacious, universal reality, the experience beyond dualism.
-Lama Thubten Yeshe, "Introduction to Tantra"
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
-John 15:12-13 (Revised Standard Version)
***
One must care about a world one will never see.
-Bertrand Russell
***
The highest form of grace is silence.
-Swami Chinmayananda
***
The Almighty Allah says: "For the righteous I have prepared that which no eyes have envisioned and no hearts conceived. Search all you want, no living soul shall ever perceive what ultimate bliss is concealed from them."
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Abu Hurairah
***
-John 15:12-13 (Revised Standard Version)
***
One must care about a world one will never see.
-Bertrand Russell
***
The highest form of grace is silence.
-Swami Chinmayananda
***
The Almighty Allah says: "For the righteous I have prepared that which no eyes have envisioned and no hearts conceived. Search all you want, no living soul shall ever perceive what ultimate bliss is concealed from them."
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Abu Hurairah
***
The world today is upside down because there is so very little love in the home, and in family life. We have no time for each other. Everybody is in such a terrible rush, and so anxious…and in the home begins the disruption of the peace of the world.
-Mother Teresa
****
How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something
but to be someone.
-Coco Chanel
***
Do not follow advice which you do not understand. Make detailed inquiries with your eyes, ears and mind.
Do not strut about proudly. You cannot possess the earth, and you cannot rival the mountains in stature.
-Qu'ran, Al-Isra, Surah 17:37
***
The man who is wise
Knows himself in all things
And all things in himself.
Yet how strange!
He still says, “This is mine.”
Determined to be free,
He abides in the oneness
Beyond all things.
Yet how strange!
Indulging in passion, he weakens,
And lust overwhelms him.
-Ashtavakra Gita 3:5-6
***
What does the spring wind have in mind,
Coming day and night to these groves and gardens?
It never asks who owns the peach and damson trees
But blows away their crimson without a word.
-Ch'i-chi, "Clouds Should Know Me By Now"
-Mother Teresa
****
How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something
but to be someone.
-Coco Chanel
***
Do not follow advice which you do not understand. Make detailed inquiries with your eyes, ears and mind.
Do not strut about proudly. You cannot possess the earth, and you cannot rival the mountains in stature.
-Qu'ran, Al-Isra, Surah 17:37
***
The man who is wise
Knows himself in all things
And all things in himself.
Yet how strange!
He still says, “This is mine.”
Determined to be free,
He abides in the oneness
Beyond all things.
Yet how strange!
Indulging in passion, he weakens,
And lust overwhelms him.
-Ashtavakra Gita 3:5-6
***
What does the spring wind have in mind,
Coming day and night to these groves and gardens?
It never asks who owns the peach and damson trees
But blows away their crimson without a word.
-Ch'i-chi, "Clouds Should Know Me By Now"
The remarkable thing is, we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.
-Charles Swindoll
***
He deserves paradise who can make his companions laugh.
-The Qur'an
***
Gluttony feeds on itself. The more that the appetite is indulged, the stronger it becomes - and the harder it is to control. But if the appetite is restrained, then it soon grows weak and feeble, and finally disappears altogether.
-Razi, "Kitab al-Muluki"
***
You're like milk
in water: I cannot tell
what comes before,
what after,
which is the master,
which is the slave;
what's big,
what's small.
O lord white as jasmine
if an ant should love you
and praise you,
will he not grow
to demon powers?
-Mahadeviyakka
***
When you see others’ errors and you want to guide them because you think they are wrong and you feel compassion for them, you should employ tact to avoid angering them, and contrive to appear as if you were talking about something else.
-Tact, Dogen
-Charles Swindoll
***
He deserves paradise who can make his companions laugh.
-The Qur'an
***
Gluttony feeds on itself. The more that the appetite is indulged, the stronger it becomes - and the harder it is to control. But if the appetite is restrained, then it soon grows weak and feeble, and finally disappears altogether.
-Razi, "Kitab al-Muluki"
***
You're like milk
in water: I cannot tell
what comes before,
what after,
which is the master,
which is the slave;
what's big,
what's small.
O lord white as jasmine
if an ant should love you
and praise you,
will he not grow
to demon powers?
-Mahadeviyakka
***
When you see others’ errors and you want to guide them because you think they are wrong and you feel compassion for them, you should employ tact to avoid angering them, and contrive to appear as if you were talking about something else.
-Tact, Dogen
The meek man will attain a place of soul rest. As he walks on in meekness he will be happy to let God defend him. The old struggle to defend himself is over. He has found the peace which meekness brings.
-A.W. Tozer
***
If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.
-Yogi Berra
***
The same undivided and indivisible space is outside and inside of a thousand pots. Likewise the Self pervades all beings.
-Maharamayana
***
"Rabi'a," Hasan asked, "how have you attained such a degree of holiness?"
Rabi'a replied: "By losing in him all that I have attained."
Hasan asked, "How do you know God?"
Rabi'a replied: "You want to know how to know God. I know God, without knowing how to know him."
-Attar: Rabi'a
***
-A.W. Tozer
***
If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.
-Yogi Berra
***
The same undivided and indivisible space is outside and inside of a thousand pots. Likewise the Self pervades all beings.
-Maharamayana
***
"Rabi'a," Hasan asked, "how have you attained such a degree of holiness?"
Rabi'a replied: "By losing in him all that I have attained."
Hasan asked, "How do you know God?"
Rabi'a replied: "You want to know how to know God. I know God, without knowing how to know him."
-Attar: Rabi'a
***
The best things are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of God just before you.
-Robert Louis Stevenson
***
Argue for your limitations and sure enough they're yours.
-Richard Bach
***
Glory to God; let God be praised. He is high above all falsehood. The seven heavens, the earth below, and all which live on the earth and in the heavens, give glory to God. All creatures praise him--except some men and women, who do not understand his glory. God is benign and forgiving.
-Qur'an, Al-Isra, Surah 17:43-44
***
You are always the same
Unfathomable awareness,
Limitless and free,
Serene and unperturbed.
Desire only your own awareness.
-Ashtavakra Gita 1:17
***
With a free mind,
In no debt,
Enjoy what has been given to you.
-Therigatha, translated by Susan Murcott
-Robert Louis Stevenson
***
Argue for your limitations and sure enough they're yours.
-Richard Bach
***
Glory to God; let God be praised. He is high above all falsehood. The seven heavens, the earth below, and all which live on the earth and in the heavens, give glory to God. All creatures praise him--except some men and women, who do not understand his glory. God is benign and forgiving.
-Qur'an, Al-Isra, Surah 17:43-44
***
You are always the same
Unfathomable awareness,
Limitless and free,
Serene and unperturbed.
Desire only your own awareness.
-Ashtavakra Gita 1:17
***
With a free mind,
In no debt,
Enjoy what has been given to you.
-Therigatha, translated by Susan Murcott
See in the meantime that your faith bringeth forth obedience, and God in due time will cause it to bring forth peace.
-John Owen
***
Humility is the solid foundation of all the virtues.
-Confucius
***
This world is full of remedies. But you have no remedy until God opens a window for you. You may not be aware of that remedy just now. In the hour of need it will be made clear to you. The Prophet said God made a remedy for every pain.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
***
Unwearied ceaseless effort is the price that must be paid for turning faith into a rich infallible experience.
-Mahatma Gandhi, 1936
***
When other beings, especially those who hold a grudge against you, abuse and harm you out of envy, you should not abandon them, but hold them as objects of your greatest compassion and take care of them.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
-John Owen
***
Humility is the solid foundation of all the virtues.
-Confucius
***
This world is full of remedies. But you have no remedy until God opens a window for you. You may not be aware of that remedy just now. In the hour of need it will be made clear to you. The Prophet said God made a remedy for every pain.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
***
Unwearied ceaseless effort is the price that must be paid for turning faith into a rich infallible experience.
-Mahatma Gandhi, 1936
***
When other beings, especially those who hold a grudge against you, abuse and harm you out of envy, you should not abandon them, but hold them as objects of your greatest compassion and take care of them.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Prayer is faith passing into action.
-Richard Cecil
***
Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or to lose.
-Lyndon B. Johnson
***
To see God everywhere you have to have special eyes, otherwise you cannot bear the shock.
-Neem Karoli Baba
***
Liberate yourself from the fetters of the ego and surrender yourself before God. Let the Lord be your shepherd, allow Him to attend to all your cares, and do not allow temptations to entice you. Aspirations of this world are the cause of all concern. Aspire to God and obtain freedom.
-Sheikh Abdul Qadier Jillani, "Futhul Ghaib"
***
When we fall on the ground it hurts us, but we also need to rely on the ground to get back up.
-Kathleen McDonald, How to Meditate
-Richard Cecil
***
Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or to lose.
-Lyndon B. Johnson
***
To see God everywhere you have to have special eyes, otherwise you cannot bear the shock.
-Neem Karoli Baba
***
Liberate yourself from the fetters of the ego and surrender yourself before God. Let the Lord be your shepherd, allow Him to attend to all your cares, and do not allow temptations to entice you. Aspirations of this world are the cause of all concern. Aspire to God and obtain freedom.
-Sheikh Abdul Qadier Jillani, "Futhul Ghaib"
***
When we fall on the ground it hurts us, but we also need to rely on the ground to get back up.
-Kathleen McDonald, How to Meditate
Peace to each manly soul that sleepeth;
Rest to each faithful eye that weepeth...
-Thomas More
***
Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring and integrity, they think of you.
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
***
Those who glorified Allah both in open and in secret will be the foremost to enter Paradise on the Day of Resurrection.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Abd'Allah ibn Abbas
***
Afflictions have reasons based on mind; when mindless, where can afflictions abide? If you do not bother to discriminate and grasp appearances, you will attain the way naturally in an instant. While dreaming, you act in dreams; when you awaken, dreamland doesn’t exist. If you think back to waking and dreaming, they are not different from deluded dualism.
-Pao-chih
Rest to each faithful eye that weepeth...
-Thomas More
***
Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring and integrity, they think of you.
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
***
Those who glorified Allah both in open and in secret will be the foremost to enter Paradise on the Day of Resurrection.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Abd'Allah ibn Abbas
***
Afflictions have reasons based on mind; when mindless, where can afflictions abide? If you do not bother to discriminate and grasp appearances, you will attain the way naturally in an instant. While dreaming, you act in dreams; when you awaken, dreamland doesn’t exist. If you think back to waking and dreaming, they are not different from deluded dualism.
-Pao-chih
One rare and exceptional deed is worth far more than a thousand commonplace ones.
-St. Ignatius of Loyola
***
Each day we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.
-Charles Swindoll
***
I say that if the sea were ink with which to write the words of my Lord, the sea would surely be consumed before his words were complete. Even if there were a second sea, it too would be consumed—and the task would still not be finished.
-Qur'an, Al-Kahf, Surah 18:109
***
Like a silkworm weaving
her house with love
from her marrow,
and dying
in her body's threads
winding tight, round
and round,
I burn
desiring what the heart desires.
-Mahadeviyakka
***
You follow desire, and you are not satisfied.
Again you follow desire, and again you are not satisfied.
Again you try, and again you are not satisfied.
-Lama Zopa Rinpoche, "Transforming Problems Into Happiness"
***
-St. Ignatius of Loyola
***
Each day we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.
-Charles Swindoll
***
I say that if the sea were ink with which to write the words of my Lord, the sea would surely be consumed before his words were complete. Even if there were a second sea, it too would be consumed—and the task would still not be finished.
-Qur'an, Al-Kahf, Surah 18:109
***
Like a silkworm weaving
her house with love
from her marrow,
and dying
in her body's threads
winding tight, round
and round,
I burn
desiring what the heart desires.
-Mahadeviyakka
***
You follow desire, and you are not satisfied.
Again you follow desire, and again you are not satisfied.
Again you try, and again you are not satisfied.
-Lama Zopa Rinpoche, "Transforming Problems Into Happiness"
***
I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light.
-John Keith Falconer
***
Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.
-William Jennings Bryan
***
A religious leader came to visit Rabi'a, and was shocked to see that her clothes were in tatters. He said: 'There are many people who would provide you with decent clothes, if you would only allow them.' Rabi'a replied: 'Everything in this world is on loan to us from God. I am ashamed to accept the loan of a loan.' The man went away, and said to others: 'It is astonishing that a mere woman has reached such spiritual heights. She refuses to spend any time on material matters.'
-Attar, "Rabi'a"
***
In paradise there is [no such thing as] fear;
Thou art not there, nor shrinks one from old age.
Hunger and thirst, these two transcending,
Sorrow, surpassing, a man makes merry in paradise.
-Katha Upanishad
***
When facing the end, generally beautiful scenes appear. According to your mental inclinations, the most impressive are experienced first. If you do not do bad things right now, then there will be no unpleasant scenes when you face death. Even if there are some unpleasant scenes, they too will change into pleasant scenes.
-Pai-chang
-John Keith Falconer
***
Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.
-William Jennings Bryan
***
A religious leader came to visit Rabi'a, and was shocked to see that her clothes were in tatters. He said: 'There are many people who would provide you with decent clothes, if you would only allow them.' Rabi'a replied: 'Everything in this world is on loan to us from God. I am ashamed to accept the loan of a loan.' The man went away, and said to others: 'It is astonishing that a mere woman has reached such spiritual heights. She refuses to spend any time on material matters.'
-Attar, "Rabi'a"
***
In paradise there is [no such thing as] fear;
Thou art not there, nor shrinks one from old age.
Hunger and thirst, these two transcending,
Sorrow, surpassing, a man makes merry in paradise.
-Katha Upanishad
***
When facing the end, generally beautiful scenes appear. According to your mental inclinations, the most impressive are experienced first. If you do not do bad things right now, then there will be no unpleasant scenes when you face death. Even if there are some unpleasant scenes, they too will change into pleasant scenes.
-Pai-chang
It is not the cards you are dealt but what you do with them that counts.
-Anonymous
***
He who remembers his Lord and he who does not are like the living and dead.
-The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
***
Just as a stone, a tree, a straw, grain, a mat, a cloth, a pot, and so on, when burned, are reduced to earth (from which they came), so the body and its sense organs, on being burned in the fire of Knowledge, become Knowledge and are absorbed in Brahman, like darkness in the light of the sun.
-Shankaracharya
***
Millions of angels are at God's command and at our service... So don't be afraid. God is for you. He has committed his angels to wage war in the conflict of the ages--and they will win the victory.
-Billy Graham,
-Anonymous
***
He who remembers his Lord and he who does not are like the living and dead.
-The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
***
Just as a stone, a tree, a straw, grain, a mat, a cloth, a pot, and so on, when burned, are reduced to earth (from which they came), so the body and its sense organs, on being burned in the fire of Knowledge, become Knowledge and are absorbed in Brahman, like darkness in the light of the sun.
-Shankaracharya
***
Millions of angels are at God's command and at our service... So don't be afraid. God is for you. He has committed his angels to wage war in the conflict of the ages--and they will win the victory.
-Billy Graham,