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"
***
Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
***
Words are the shell, meditation the kernel. Words are the body of the prayer, and meditation its spirit.
- Bahya, Hobot HaLebabot, 1040
***
There are those with enlightened knowledge: this is not knowledge by birth, or knowledge by learning: it is beginningless in here, having transcended the bounds of self and other, it is being unbound by knowledge of self and other.
-Dogen; Rational Zen
***
If you do not hope, you will not find out what is beyond your hopes.
-Clement of Alexandria
***
****
"When a person is sleeping soundly, free from dreams, with a still mind, that is the Self, fearless and deathless. That is Brahman, the supreme."
-Chandogya Upanishad
***
A kind word with forgiveness is preferred over charity followed by injury. Allah is Absolute, Clement.
-Qur'an, Al-Baqara, Surah 2:263
***
I believe that to meet the challenges of our times, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. Each of us must learn to work not just for oneself, one's own family or nation, but for the benefit of all humankind. Universal responsibility is the key to human survival. It is the best foundation for world peace.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
****
Always think of the end, and you will never do amiss.
- Apocrypha: Ben Sira 7:36
***
Quote
Enough of the pursuit of pleasure,
Enough of wealth and righteous deeds!
In the dark forest of the world
What peace of mind can they bring you?
-Ashtavakra Gita 10:7
****
Seek a true friend,
for a friend seeks the benefit of a friend,
Do good to the people for the sake of God
or for the peace of your own soul
that you may always see what is pure
and save your heart from the darkness of hate.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
****
Anger deprives a sage of his wisdom, a prophet of his vision.
- Rabbi Simeon b. Lakish, Talmud: Pesahim, 66b
****
The beautiful thing about this adventure called faith is that we can count on Him never to lead us astray.
-Charles Swindoll
****
Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby.
-Ruth E. Renkel
****
Bodies come and go like clothes.
-Sankara
****
A man must always be exceedingly careful to show honor to his wife.
- Babylonian Talmud, Bava Mezia, 59a
****
Arouse your will, supreme and great,
Practice love, give joy and protection;
Let your giving be like space,
Without discrimination or limitation.
Do good things, not for your own sake
But for all the beings in the universe;
Save and make free everyone you encounter,
Help them attain the wisdom of the way.
-Prajnaparamita
***
Pray with the mind in the heart.
-St. Theophan the Recluse
***
Enough of wealth and righteous deeds!
In the dark forest of the world
What peace of mind can they bring you?
-Ashtavakra Gita 10:7
****
Seek a true friend,
for a friend seeks the benefit of a friend,
Do good to the people for the sake of God
or for the peace of your own soul
that you may always see what is pure
and save your heart from the darkness of hate.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
****
Anger deprives a sage of his wisdom, a prophet of his vision.
- Rabbi Simeon b. Lakish, Talmud: Pesahim, 66b
****
The beautiful thing about this adventure called faith is that we can count on Him never to lead us astray.
-Charles Swindoll
****
Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby.
-Ruth E. Renkel
****
Bodies come and go like clothes.
-Sankara
****
A man must always be exceedingly careful to show honor to his wife.
- Babylonian Talmud, Bava Mezia, 59a
****
Arouse your will, supreme and great,
Practice love, give joy and protection;
Let your giving be like space,
Without discrimination or limitation.
Do good things, not for your own sake
But for all the beings in the universe;
Save and make free everyone you encounter,
Help them attain the wisdom of the way.
-Prajnaparamita
***
Pray with the mind in the heart.
-St. Theophan the Recluse
***
Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?
-Corrie Ten Boom
****
See everyone as Buddha. This purifies the mind of ignorance and arrogance.
-Master Baek, "Polishing The Diamond"
***
Anyone who repudiates idolatry is a Jew.
- Rabbi Johanan bar Nappaha, Talmud: Megilla, 13a
****
What have I to fear if everything is guided and sustained by God?
-Carlo Carretto
****
It is improper to ever forget a kindness,
But good to forget at once an injury received.
The deadliest injury is effaced the moment
The mind recalls a single kindness received from the injurer.
-Tirukkural 11:108-109
***
Those who wish to guard their practice
Should very attentively guard their minds
For those who do not guard their minds
Will be unable to guard their practice.
-Santideva, “Bodhicaryavatara”
****
To stand on one leg and prove God's existence is a very different thing from going on one's knees and thanking Him.
-Søren Kierkegaard
***
Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
****
-Corrie Ten Boom
****
See everyone as Buddha. This purifies the mind of ignorance and arrogance.
-Master Baek, "Polishing The Diamond"
***
Anyone who repudiates idolatry is a Jew.
- Rabbi Johanan bar Nappaha, Talmud: Megilla, 13a
****
What have I to fear if everything is guided and sustained by God?
-Carlo Carretto
****
It is improper to ever forget a kindness,
But good to forget at once an injury received.
The deadliest injury is effaced the moment
The mind recalls a single kindness received from the injurer.
-Tirukkural 11:108-109
***
Those who wish to guard their practice
Should very attentively guard their minds
For those who do not guard their minds
Will be unable to guard their practice.
-Santideva, “Bodhicaryavatara”
****
To stand on one leg and prove God's existence is a very different thing from going on one's knees and thanking Him.
-Søren Kierkegaard
***
Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
****
It is true the body is perishable, but
within it dwells the imperishable Self. This
body is subject to pleasure and pain; no one
who identifies with the body can escape from
pleasure and pain. But those who know they
are not the body pass beyond pleasure and
pain to live in abiding joy.
-Chandogya Upanishad
****
Sympathy is no substitute for action.
-David Livingstone
***
Humankind, you have received manifest proof from your Lord. A radiant light to dispel your darkness was sent down to you. Those who believe in their Lord and hold fast to Him shall be admitted to His grace and bounty. He will guide them to Himself by the straight path.
-Qur'an, An-Nisa, Surah 4:175-176
***
Spirituality I take to be concerned with those qualities of the human spirit—such as love and compassion, patience, a sense of responsibility, a sense of harmony, which bring happiness to both self and others.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
****
As the eye needs light to see, so the soul needs labor to comprehend.
- Philo, "Sacrifices of Abel and Cain"
within it dwells the imperishable Self. This
body is subject to pleasure and pain; no one
who identifies with the body can escape from
pleasure and pain. But those who know they
are not the body pass beyond pleasure and
pain to live in abiding joy.
-Chandogya Upanishad
****
Sympathy is no substitute for action.
-David Livingstone
***
Humankind, you have received manifest proof from your Lord. A radiant light to dispel your darkness was sent down to you. Those who believe in their Lord and hold fast to Him shall be admitted to His grace and bounty. He will guide them to Himself by the straight path.
-Qur'an, An-Nisa, Surah 4:175-176
***
Spirituality I take to be concerned with those qualities of the human spirit—such as love and compassion, patience, a sense of responsibility, a sense of harmony, which bring happiness to both self and others.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
****
As the eye needs light to see, so the soul needs labor to comprehend.
- Philo, "Sacrifices of Abel and Cain"
Laugh when troubles come your way.
There is nothing better to conquer calamity.
A flood of troubles will vanish the moment
The mind of a wise man collects itself to face them.
-Tirukkural 63: 621-622
****
Let evil be rewarded with evil. But those who forgive and seek reconciliation, will be rewarded by God. Those who do evil, are not loved by God.
-Qur'an, Ash-Shura, Surah 42:4
****
To deny oneself is to be aware only of Christ and no more of self, to see only Him who goes before and no more the road which is too hard for us.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
****
I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure—try to please everybody.
-Herbert Bayard Swope
****
God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse them.
***
Show class, have pride, and display character. If you do, winning takes care of itself.
-Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant
****
A man lost his way in the desert, and wandered aimlessly for several days. He ran out of food, and thought he would die. Then he saw a bag lying in the sand. He opened it, and at first he thought it was filled with grains of barley. He was overjoyed. But when he tried to eat them, he discovered they were pearls—and he plunged into despair.
-Sadi, "Gulistan"
There is nothing better to conquer calamity.
A flood of troubles will vanish the moment
The mind of a wise man collects itself to face them.
-Tirukkural 63: 621-622
****
Let evil be rewarded with evil. But those who forgive and seek reconciliation, will be rewarded by God. Those who do evil, are not loved by God.
-Qur'an, Ash-Shura, Surah 42:4
****
To deny oneself is to be aware only of Christ and no more of self, to see only Him who goes before and no more the road which is too hard for us.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
****
I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure—try to please everybody.
-Herbert Bayard Swope
****
God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse them.
***
Show class, have pride, and display character. If you do, winning takes care of itself.
-Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant
****
A man lost his way in the desert, and wandered aimlessly for several days. He ran out of food, and thought he would die. Then he saw a bag lying in the sand. He opened it, and at first he thought it was filled with grains of barley. He was overjoyed. But when he tried to eat them, he discovered they were pearls—and he plunged into despair.
-Sadi, "Gulistan"
Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself.
-Suzanne Somers
***
With clear and steady insight
He sees this world is a mirage,
And he no longer wonders about it.
How can he fear the approach of death?
-Ashtavakra Gita 3:11
***
A person once asked the Prophet Muhammad to pray for him. So the Prophet implored, "O Allah, kindle within his heart the light of faith, and afford him with the courage to avert earthly wiles and submit himself before Your will." When a person turns away from the world, he adheres to God, and God lavishes incredible bounty on him.
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
***
Before you can find God, you must lose yourself.
- Baal Shem Tov
Reprinted from 'A Treasury of Jewish Quotations,' edited by Joseph L. Baron, Jason Aronson Inc.
***
Right meditation is not escapism; it is not meant to provide hiding-places for temporary oblivion. Realistic meditation has the purpose of training the mind to face, to understand and to conquer this very world in which we live.
-Nyanaponika Thera, "Power of Minfulness"
***
It is only the impossible that is possible for God.
-Simone Weil
***
What a lovely surprise to finally discover how unlonely being alone can be.
-Ellen Burstyn
***
-Suzanne Somers
***
With clear and steady insight
He sees this world is a mirage,
And he no longer wonders about it.
How can he fear the approach of death?
-Ashtavakra Gita 3:11
***
A person once asked the Prophet Muhammad to pray for him. So the Prophet implored, "O Allah, kindle within his heart the light of faith, and afford him with the courage to avert earthly wiles and submit himself before Your will." When a person turns away from the world, he adheres to God, and God lavishes incredible bounty on him.
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
***
Before you can find God, you must lose yourself.
- Baal Shem Tov
Reprinted from 'A Treasury of Jewish Quotations,' edited by Joseph L. Baron, Jason Aronson Inc.
***
Right meditation is not escapism; it is not meant to provide hiding-places for temporary oblivion. Realistic meditation has the purpose of training the mind to face, to understand and to conquer this very world in which we live.
-Nyanaponika Thera, "Power of Minfulness"
***
It is only the impossible that is possible for God.
-Simone Weil
***
What a lovely surprise to finally discover how unlonely being alone can be.
-Ellen Burstyn
***
Strength, rest, guidance, grace, help, sympathy, love--all from God to us! What a list of blessings!
-E. Stenbock
****
Good people are good because they've come to wisdom through failure. We get very little wisdom from success, you know.
-William Saroyan
***
Whatever attitudes we habitually use toward ourselves, we will use on others, and whatever attitudes we habitually use toward others, we will use on ourselves. The situation is comparable to our serving food to ourselves and to other people from the same bowl. Everyone ends up eating the same thing--we must examine carefully what we are dishing out.
-Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, "Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness"
Copyright
***
God is delighted to watch your soul enlarge.
-Meister Eckhart
***
The face of David shone with His glory,
and the mountains sang His praise.
The mountains sang along with David;
both elated in praising the King.
He hears the melody of the pure-spirited,
every moment, every place.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
***
Some people live closely guarded lives, fearful of encountering someone or something that might shatter their insecure spiritual foundation. This attitude, however, is not the fault of religion but of their own limited understanding. True Dharma leads in exactly the opposite direction. It enables one to integrate all the many diverse experiences of life into a meaningful and coherent whole, thereby banishing fear and insecurity completely.
-Lama Thubten Yeshe, "Wisdom Energy"
***
Better prayer without synagogue than synagogue without prayer.
- Abraham Heschel
-E. Stenbock
****
Good people are good because they've come to wisdom through failure. We get very little wisdom from success, you know.
-William Saroyan
***
Whatever attitudes we habitually use toward ourselves, we will use on others, and whatever attitudes we habitually use toward others, we will use on ourselves. The situation is comparable to our serving food to ourselves and to other people from the same bowl. Everyone ends up eating the same thing--we must examine carefully what we are dishing out.
-Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, "Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness"
Copyright
***
God is delighted to watch your soul enlarge.
-Meister Eckhart
***
The face of David shone with His glory,
and the mountains sang His praise.
The mountains sang along with David;
both elated in praising the King.
He hears the melody of the pure-spirited,
every moment, every place.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
***
Some people live closely guarded lives, fearful of encountering someone or something that might shatter their insecure spiritual foundation. This attitude, however, is not the fault of religion but of their own limited understanding. True Dharma leads in exactly the opposite direction. It enables one to integrate all the many diverse experiences of life into a meaningful and coherent whole, thereby banishing fear and insecurity completely.
-Lama Thubten Yeshe, "Wisdom Energy"
***
Better prayer without synagogue than synagogue without prayer.
- Abraham Heschel
Blessings hemmed with praise will not unravel.
-Unknown
****
The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over.
-Aesop
****
All is change in the world of the senses,
But changeless is the supreme Lord of Love,
Meditate on him, be absorbed in him,
Wake up from this dream of separateness.
-Shvetashvatara Upanishad
***
Without good motivation, science and technology, instead of helping, bring more fear and threaten global destruction. Compassionate thought is very important for humankind.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
***
At a time when the community is in need, one should not say, "I will go home and peace be to you," but rather one should participate in the alleviating the community's trouble.
- Pisikei Zutari, B'Shalach 17
****
"Listen to the principles of yoga. By practicing these you can break through the bonds of karma. On this path effort never goes to waste, and there is not failure. Even a little effort toward spiritual awareness will protect you from the greatest fear. Those who follow this path, resolving deep within themselves to seek Me alone, attain singleness of purpose. For those who lack resolution, the decisions of life are many--branched and endless."
-Bhagavad Gita 2:39-41
***
Faith will become vision, hope will become possession, but the love of Jesus Christ that is stronger than death endures forever. In the end, it is the one thing you can hang onto.
***
Enthusiasm is a kind of faith that has been set on fire.
-George Matthew Adams
-Unknown
****
The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over.
-Aesop
****
All is change in the world of the senses,
But changeless is the supreme Lord of Love,
Meditate on him, be absorbed in him,
Wake up from this dream of separateness.
-Shvetashvatara Upanishad
***
Without good motivation, science and technology, instead of helping, bring more fear and threaten global destruction. Compassionate thought is very important for humankind.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
***
At a time when the community is in need, one should not say, "I will go home and peace be to you," but rather one should participate in the alleviating the community's trouble.
- Pisikei Zutari, B'Shalach 17
****
"Listen to the principles of yoga. By practicing these you can break through the bonds of karma. On this path effort never goes to waste, and there is not failure. Even a little effort toward spiritual awareness will protect you from the greatest fear. Those who follow this path, resolving deep within themselves to seek Me alone, attain singleness of purpose. For those who lack resolution, the decisions of life are many--branched and endless."
-Bhagavad Gita 2:39-41
***
Faith will become vision, hope will become possession, but the love of Jesus Christ that is stronger than death endures forever. In the end, it is the one thing you can hang onto.
***
Enthusiasm is a kind of faith that has been set on fire.
-George Matthew Adams
I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.
-Laura Ingalls Wilder
****
Every night during a certain hour the blessings of both this world and the next are bestowed upon those who seek.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Ja'bir bin Abd'Allah
****
If a man's kindred cleave to him with unfailing love,
His fortunes will never fail to flourish.
-Tirukkural 53:522
****
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.
****
-Laura Ingalls Wilder
****
Every night during a certain hour the blessings of both this world and the next are bestowed upon those who seek.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Ja'bir bin Abd'Allah
****
If a man's kindred cleave to him with unfailing love,
His fortunes will never fail to flourish.
-Tirukkural 53:522
****
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.
****
Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel the artistry moving through and be silent.
-Rumi
****
Humility and pleasant words are the jewels
That adorn a man; there are none other.
If a man seeks good works while speaking sweet words,
His virtues will wax and his vices wane.
-Tirukkural 10:95-96
***
A man went back to transgressing after he had sincerely asked forgiveness of God and swore never to sin again. "How will God forgive me this time?" he asked in despair.
A heavenly voice responded, "You obeyed Me and I made amends for you, then you abandoned Me and I indulged you, and now that you returned to Me I shall receive you."
-Al-Hujwiri, "The Kashf al-Mahjub"
***
Be not like those who honor their gods in prosperity and curse them in adversity. In pleasure or pain, give thanks!
- Mekhilta on Exodus 20.20
Reprinted
***
"'I am breathing in and making my whole body calm and at peace. I am breathing out and making my whole body calm and at peace.' This is how one practices."
-The Sutra on Full Awareness of Breathing
***
Faith is something given, not achieved. It is created by God’s word in Christ.
-H.A. Williams
-Rumi
****
Humility and pleasant words are the jewels
That adorn a man; there are none other.
If a man seeks good works while speaking sweet words,
His virtues will wax and his vices wane.
-Tirukkural 10:95-96
***
A man went back to transgressing after he had sincerely asked forgiveness of God and swore never to sin again. "How will God forgive me this time?" he asked in despair.
A heavenly voice responded, "You obeyed Me and I made amends for you, then you abandoned Me and I indulged you, and now that you returned to Me I shall receive you."
-Al-Hujwiri, "The Kashf al-Mahjub"
***
Be not like those who honor their gods in prosperity and curse them in adversity. In pleasure or pain, give thanks!
- Mekhilta on Exodus 20.20
Reprinted
***
"'I am breathing in and making my whole body calm and at peace. I am breathing out and making my whole body calm and at peace.' This is how one practices."
-The Sutra on Full Awareness of Breathing
***
Faith is something given, not achieved. It is created by God’s word in Christ.
-H.A. Williams
Smaller than a grain of rice, smaller than a grain of barley, smaller than a mustard seed, smaller than a grain of millet, smaller even than the kernel of a grain of millet is the Self. This is the Self dwelling in my heart, greater than the earth, greater than the sky, greater than all the worlds.
-Chandogya Upanishad
***
Did my critics create themselves out of nothing? Did they create the heavens and the earth? Their ideas are foolish. Do they possess and control the treasures of you Lord? Do they have a ladder by which they climb up to God, and overhear him? Let their eavesdroppers bring proof that they have heard him. Do they know the mysteries of existence, and can they write them down? ...Do they have another god besides God? Let God be exalted above their idols. If they saw part of the heavens fall from the sky, they would still say: "It is only a mass of clouds."
-Qur'an, At-Tur, Surah 52:35-44
***
The path to material gain
goes one way,
the way to Unbinding,
another.
Realizing this, the monk,
a disciple to the Awakened One,
should not relish offerings,
should cultivate seclusion
instead.
-Dhammapada, 5, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
****
Jesus Christ is not valued at all until He is valued above all.
-St. Augustine
***
-Chandogya Upanishad
***
Did my critics create themselves out of nothing? Did they create the heavens and the earth? Their ideas are foolish. Do they possess and control the treasures of you Lord? Do they have a ladder by which they climb up to God, and overhear him? Let their eavesdroppers bring proof that they have heard him. Do they know the mysteries of existence, and can they write them down? ...Do they have another god besides God? Let God be exalted above their idols. If they saw part of the heavens fall from the sky, they would still say: "It is only a mass of clouds."
-Qur'an, At-Tur, Surah 52:35-44
***
The path to material gain
goes one way,
the way to Unbinding,
another.
Realizing this, the monk,
a disciple to the Awakened One,
should not relish offerings,
should cultivate seclusion
instead.
-Dhammapada, 5, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
****
Jesus Christ is not valued at all until He is valued above all.
-St. Augustine
***
Melancholy may enter your soul, and ambush your happiness; but it will prepare you for true joy. Melancholy drives out all other emotions and feelings, so the source of all goodness may occupy the whole house. It shakes the yellow leaves from the tree, allowing fresh leaves to grow. It pulls up old bodily pleasures by the roots, allowing divine spiritual pleasures to be planted. Melancholy takes many things from the soul, in order to bring better things in return.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
***
Struggling or at rest,
Nothing is won or lost.
I have forsaken the joy of winning
And the sorrow of losting.
And I am happy.
-Ashtavakra Gita 13:6
***
Birth is an expression complete this moment. Death is an expression complete this moment. They are like winter and spring. You do not call winter the beginning of spring, nor summer the end of spring.
-Genjo Koan
***
Better to lease one garden and cultivate it than to lease many and neglect them. As the proverb goes: who leases a garden eats birds; who leases gardens is eaten by birds.
- Ecclesiastes
***
Life is a lighthouse guiding those who are lost, true hope shines on, and even in blackest darkness cannot overcome the power of its light.
-Kim Miller
***
First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.
-Thomas a Kempis
***
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
***
Struggling or at rest,
Nothing is won or lost.
I have forsaken the joy of winning
And the sorrow of losting.
And I am happy.
-Ashtavakra Gita 13:6
***
Birth is an expression complete this moment. Death is an expression complete this moment. They are like winter and spring. You do not call winter the beginning of spring, nor summer the end of spring.
-Genjo Koan
***
Better to lease one garden and cultivate it than to lease many and neglect them. As the proverb goes: who leases a garden eats birds; who leases gardens is eaten by birds.
- Ecclesiastes
***
Life is a lighthouse guiding those who are lost, true hope shines on, and even in blackest darkness cannot overcome the power of its light.
-Kim Miller
***
First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.
-Thomas a Kempis
***
Talk as much philosophy as you like,
worship as many gods as you please,
observe ceremonies and sing devotional hymns,
but liberation will never come, even after a hundred
aeons, without realizing the Oneness.
-Sankara
***
The search of knowledge is an obligation laid on every Muslim.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
***
Charity is equal in importance to all the other commandments combined.
- Babylonian Talmud, "Bava Bathra"
***
The most valuable learning is not about memorizing facts and figures. It is not about higher grade point averages and accumulating degrees. It is about life itself, and its impact is on the heart.
-Rodney Smith, "Lessons From the Dying"
***
God does not comfort us to make us comfortable only, but to make us comforters.
-Dr. John Henry Jowett
***
It may be that those who do most, dream most.
-Stephen Leacock
worship as many gods as you please,
observe ceremonies and sing devotional hymns,
but liberation will never come, even after a hundred
aeons, without realizing the Oneness.
-Sankara
***
The search of knowledge is an obligation laid on every Muslim.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
***
Charity is equal in importance to all the other commandments combined.
- Babylonian Talmud, "Bava Bathra"
***
The most valuable learning is not about memorizing facts and figures. It is not about higher grade point averages and accumulating degrees. It is about life itself, and its impact is on the heart.
-Rodney Smith, "Lessons From the Dying"
***
God does not comfort us to make us comfortable only, but to make us comforters.
-Dr. John Henry Jowett
***
It may be that those who do most, dream most.
-Stephen Leacock
Once a person said to a dervish, "All I ask for is a small dwelling in Paradise."
The dervish replied, "If you displayed the same contentment with what you already have in this world, you would have found ultimate bliss."
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
****
Circumstances are beyond the control of man; but his conduct is in his own power.
- Benjamin Disraeli, English statesman and novelist (1804-81)
***
I'm constantly finding things to be grateful for...For me, it's just a constant, steady cadence. It's a metronome to my life.
-Deborah Norville
***
We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it.
-Abraham Lincoln
***
To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top.
-Robert M. Pirsig
The dervish replied, "If you displayed the same contentment with what you already have in this world, you would have found ultimate bliss."
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
****
Circumstances are beyond the control of man; but his conduct is in his own power.
- Benjamin Disraeli, English statesman and novelist (1804-81)
***
I'm constantly finding things to be grateful for...For me, it's just a constant, steady cadence. It's a metronome to my life.
-Deborah Norville
***
We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it.
-Abraham Lincoln
***
To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top.
-Robert M. Pirsig
Hate hidden in a kinsman's heart will cause
many miseries, and more--it will kill a man.
When hatred arises, dissension destroys unity,
and men fall inescapably toward ever-ready death.
-Tirukkural 885-886
***
Give to your close relatives what they need, and also give generously to the destitute and to wayfarers. Do not squander your wealth; those who are wasteful are the brothers and sisters of Satan—and Satan is always ungrateful to his Lord. But if, while waiting for the Lord's bounty, you are unable to help your relatives, the destitute and wayfarers, then at least speak kindly to them.
-Qur'an, Al-Isra, Surah 17:26-28
***
Common sense is strengthened by joy.
- Rabbi Nahman of Breslov
***
The problem isn't materialism as such. Rather it is the underlying assumption that full satisfaction can arise from gratifying the senses alone. Unlike animals whose quest for happiness is restricted to survival and to the immediate gratification of sensory desires, we human beings have the capacity to experience happiness at a deeper level which, when achieved, can overwhelm unhappy experiences.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
***
many miseries, and more--it will kill a man.
When hatred arises, dissension destroys unity,
and men fall inescapably toward ever-ready death.
-Tirukkural 885-886
***
Give to your close relatives what they need, and also give generously to the destitute and to wayfarers. Do not squander your wealth; those who are wasteful are the brothers and sisters of Satan—and Satan is always ungrateful to his Lord. But if, while waiting for the Lord's bounty, you are unable to help your relatives, the destitute and wayfarers, then at least speak kindly to them.
-Qur'an, Al-Isra, Surah 17:26-28
***
Common sense is strengthened by joy.
- Rabbi Nahman of Breslov
***
The problem isn't materialism as such. Rather it is the underlying assumption that full satisfaction can arise from gratifying the senses alone. Unlike animals whose quest for happiness is restricted to survival and to the immediate gratification of sensory desires, we human beings have the capacity to experience happiness at a deeper level which, when achieved, can overwhelm unhappy experiences.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
***
Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
***
Sri Krishna: I have revealed to you the nature of the field and the meaning and object of true knowledge. Those who are devoted to me, knowing these things, are united with me.
-Bhagavad Gita 13:18
***
Allah accepts repentance, as long as it is not at the time of death.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Ibn Umar
***
Winning gives birth to hostility.
Losing, one lies down in pain.
The calmed lie down with ease,
having set
winning & losing
aside.
-Dhammapada, 15, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
Concentrate on three things and you will not fall into the grip of sin. Know from where you came, where you are going, and before Whom you will have to give account and reckoning.
- Pirkei Avot 3:1
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
***
Sri Krishna: I have revealed to you the nature of the field and the meaning and object of true knowledge. Those who are devoted to me, knowing these things, are united with me.
-Bhagavad Gita 13:18
***
Allah accepts repentance, as long as it is not at the time of death.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Ibn Umar
***
Winning gives birth to hostility.
Losing, one lies down in pain.
The calmed lie down with ease,
having set
winning & losing
aside.
-Dhammapada, 15, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
***
Concentrate on three things and you will not fall into the grip of sin. Know from where you came, where you are going, and before Whom you will have to give account and reckoning.
- Pirkei Avot 3:1
A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.
-St. Francis of Assisi
***
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
-Theodore Roosevelt
***
Once the ego is overcome peace follows. "Only God and no living creature has the power to control destinies." With that conviction entrust all your cares to the Lord and follow the path of the Truth, conforming to the divine edicts, until you attain union with Him and become as pure as Adam before whom all creatures prostrated.
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
***
Nothing lasts.
Nothing is real.
It is all suffering,
Threefold affliction!
It is all beneath contempt.
Know this.
Give it up.
Be still.
-Ashtavakra Gita 9:3
***
Delight not in excessive luxury, for double is its poverty.
- Apocrypha: The Wisdom of Ben Sira, 18.32
****
Enlightenment--that magnificent escape from anguish and ignorance--never happens by accident. It results from the brave and sometimes lonely battle of one person against his own weaknesses.
-Bhikkhu Nyanasobhano, "Landscapes of Wonder"
***
-St. Francis of Assisi
***
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
-Theodore Roosevelt
***
Once the ego is overcome peace follows. "Only God and no living creature has the power to control destinies." With that conviction entrust all your cares to the Lord and follow the path of the Truth, conforming to the divine edicts, until you attain union with Him and become as pure as Adam before whom all creatures prostrated.
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
***
Nothing lasts.
Nothing is real.
It is all suffering,
Threefold affliction!
It is all beneath contempt.
Know this.
Give it up.
Be still.
-Ashtavakra Gita 9:3
***
Delight not in excessive luxury, for double is its poverty.
- Apocrypha: The Wisdom of Ben Sira, 18.32
****
Enlightenment--that magnificent escape from anguish and ignorance--never happens by accident. It results from the brave and sometimes lonely battle of one person against his own weaknesses.
-Bhikkhu Nyanasobhano, "Landscapes of Wonder"
***
The fear of God kills all other fears.
-Hugh Black
***
To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end in life.
-Baruch Spinoza
***
Out of Supreme love
they swallow up each other
But separate again
for the joy of being two.
They are not completely the same
but neither are they different.
No one can tell exactly what they are.
-Jnaneshwar (also known as Jnanadeva)
From Teachings of the Hindu Mystics, ©
***
God knows all that the heavens and the earth contain. Are you not aware of this? If three people talk in secret together, he is the fourth; if four people talk, he is the fifth; if five people talk, he is the sixth. Whatever the size of the group, and wherever they meet, he is present among them.
-Qur'an, Al-Mujadilah, Surah 58:7
***
Experiencing emptiness is also experiencing peace, and the potential of peace is its unfolding as harmony among all people, animals, plants, and things. The precepts formulate this harmony, showing how the absence of killing and stealing is the very condition of mercy and charity.
-Robert Aiken, "Mind Of Clover"
***
Death was decreed for all, so that men may not be righteous just for the sake of life.
- Jonathan ben Eleazar, Jewish scholar of the third century, Palestine
***
-Hugh Black
***
To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end in life.
-Baruch Spinoza
***
Out of Supreme love
they swallow up each other
But separate again
for the joy of being two.
They are not completely the same
but neither are they different.
No one can tell exactly what they are.
-Jnaneshwar (also known as Jnanadeva)
From Teachings of the Hindu Mystics, ©
***
God knows all that the heavens and the earth contain. Are you not aware of this? If three people talk in secret together, he is the fourth; if four people talk, he is the fifth; if five people talk, he is the sixth. Whatever the size of the group, and wherever they meet, he is present among them.
-Qur'an, Al-Mujadilah, Surah 58:7
***
Experiencing emptiness is also experiencing peace, and the potential of peace is its unfolding as harmony among all people, animals, plants, and things. The precepts formulate this harmony, showing how the absence of killing and stealing is the very condition of mercy and charity.
-Robert Aiken, "Mind Of Clover"
***
Death was decreed for all, so that men may not be righteous just for the sake of life.
- Jonathan ben Eleazar, Jewish scholar of the third century, Palestine
***
Prosperity is not for the envious,
Nor is greatness for men of impure conduct.
-Tirukkural 14:135
***
Everyone can see the effects of God's mercy. But who, except God himself, understands the essence of his mercy? Most people cannot understand the essence of any of God's attibutes; they only know his attributes through their effects--and also through analogy. Only mystics have eyes to see the essence of God's attributes.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
***
Form is suffering. The cause and condition for the arising of form is also suffering. As form has originated from what is suffering, how could it be happiness?
-"The Connected Discourses of the Buddha"
***
Days are scrolls: write on them what you want to be remembered.
- Bahya, "Hovot HaLevavot"
Nor is greatness for men of impure conduct.
-Tirukkural 14:135
***
Everyone can see the effects of God's mercy. But who, except God himself, understands the essence of his mercy? Most people cannot understand the essence of any of God's attibutes; they only know his attributes through their effects--and also through analogy. Only mystics have eyes to see the essence of God's attributes.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
***
Form is suffering. The cause and condition for the arising of form is also suffering. As form has originated from what is suffering, how could it be happiness?
-"The Connected Discourses of the Buddha"
***
Days are scrolls: write on them what you want to be remembered.
- Bahya, "Hovot HaLevavot"
God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies.
-Hudson Taylor
***
Reputation is character minus what you’ve been caught doing.
-Michael Iapoce
***
I struggled hard but did not reap the fruits of my labors. Then I gazed into myself and found that my ego and my heart were unified. When the ego and the heart are united, a portion of all that shines upon the heart is seized by the self. Thus I came to know the cause of my dilemma, that the light illuminating my heart was being seized by my ego.
-Al-Nuri, in "Islamic Sufism"
***
Said Uddalaka to Shvetaketu:
"In the beginning was only Being,
One without a second.
Out of himself he brought forth the cosmos
And entered into everything in it.
There is nothing that does not come from him.
Of everything he is the inmost Self.
He is the truth; he is the Self supreme.
You are that, Shvetaketu; you are that."
-Chandogya Upanishad
***
He who for himself or others craves not for sons or power or wealth, who puts not his own success before the success of righteousness, he is virtuous, and righteous and wise.
-Buddha
***
Criticism has few terrors for a man with a great purpose.
- Benjamin Disraeli, "Life of Lord George Bentinck"
-Hudson Taylor
***
Reputation is character minus what you’ve been caught doing.
-Michael Iapoce
***
I struggled hard but did not reap the fruits of my labors. Then I gazed into myself and found that my ego and my heart were unified. When the ego and the heart are united, a portion of all that shines upon the heart is seized by the self. Thus I came to know the cause of my dilemma, that the light illuminating my heart was being seized by my ego.
-Al-Nuri, in "Islamic Sufism"
***
Said Uddalaka to Shvetaketu:
"In the beginning was only Being,
One without a second.
Out of himself he brought forth the cosmos
And entered into everything in it.
There is nothing that does not come from him.
Of everything he is the inmost Self.
He is the truth; he is the Self supreme.
You are that, Shvetaketu; you are that."
-Chandogya Upanishad
***
He who for himself or others craves not for sons or power or wealth, who puts not his own success before the success of righteousness, he is virtuous, and righteous and wise.
-Buddha
***
Criticism has few terrors for a man with a great purpose.
- Benjamin Disraeli, "Life of Lord George Bentinck"
Lord, forgive us our transgressions.
Help us remain steadfast.
We seek Your support against the transgressors.
-From the prayer book "Al-Hizbul-A'zam"
****
Since the seed does not contain anything other than the seed, even the flowers and the fruits are of the same nature as the seed: the substance of the seed is the substance of subsequent effects, too. Even so, the homogenous mass of cosmic consciousness does not give rise to anything other than what it is in essence. When this truth is realized, duality ceases.
-Yoga Vasishtha
***
Death is experienced only once, but he who fears it dies each minute.
- Solomon Rubin, Sefer HaMiddot
***
Happiness and suffering come from your own mind, not from outside. Your own mind is the cause of happiness; your own mind is the cause of suffering. To obtain happiness and pacify suffering, you have to work within your own mind.
-Lama Zopa Rinpoche, "The Door To Satisfaction"
***
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
-Matthew 11: 28
***
Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present.
-Unknown
Help us remain steadfast.
We seek Your support against the transgressors.
-From the prayer book "Al-Hizbul-A'zam"
****
Since the seed does not contain anything other than the seed, even the flowers and the fruits are of the same nature as the seed: the substance of the seed is the substance of subsequent effects, too. Even so, the homogenous mass of cosmic consciousness does not give rise to anything other than what it is in essence. When this truth is realized, duality ceases.
-Yoga Vasishtha
***
Death is experienced only once, but he who fears it dies each minute.
- Solomon Rubin, Sefer HaMiddot
***
Happiness and suffering come from your own mind, not from outside. Your own mind is the cause of happiness; your own mind is the cause of suffering. To obtain happiness and pacify suffering, you have to work within your own mind.
-Lama Zopa Rinpoche, "The Door To Satisfaction"
***
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
-Matthew 11: 28
***
Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present.
-Unknown
Do they not observe the birds above them, spreading their wings and folding them in? None can uphold them except (Allah) Most Gracious: Truly (Allah) Most Gracious: Truly it is He that watches over all things.
Nay, who is there that can help you, (even as) an army, besides (Allah) Most Merciful? In nothing but delusion are the Unbelievers. Or who is there that can provide you with Sustenance if He were to withhold His provision? Nay, they obstinately persist in insolent impiety and flight (from the Truth).
-Qur'an, Al-Mulk, Surah 67:19-21
***
There is only one Self in all creatures.
The One appears many, just as the moon
Appears many, reflected in water.
The Self appears to change its location
But does not, just as the air in a jar
Changes not when the jar is moved about.
When the jar is broken, the air knows not;
But the Self knows well when the body is shed.
-Amritabindu Upanishad
****
In this world, in order to enable society to develop, all its members have to assume responsibilites and make their contribution. If we do not make collective contributions then there will be no development.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
***
Depression does tremendous damage. Use every ploy you can think of to bring yourself to joy.
- Rabbi Nachman of Breslov
***
Events make known the will of God.
-Unknown
***
Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
-Will Rogers
Nay, who is there that can help you, (even as) an army, besides (Allah) Most Merciful? In nothing but delusion are the Unbelievers. Or who is there that can provide you with Sustenance if He were to withhold His provision? Nay, they obstinately persist in insolent impiety and flight (from the Truth).
-Qur'an, Al-Mulk, Surah 67:19-21
***
There is only one Self in all creatures.
The One appears many, just as the moon
Appears many, reflected in water.
The Self appears to change its location
But does not, just as the air in a jar
Changes not when the jar is moved about.
When the jar is broken, the air knows not;
But the Self knows well when the body is shed.
-Amritabindu Upanishad
****
In this world, in order to enable society to develop, all its members have to assume responsibilites and make their contribution. If we do not make collective contributions then there will be no development.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
***
Depression does tremendous damage. Use every ploy you can think of to bring yourself to joy.
- Rabbi Nachman of Breslov
***
Events make known the will of God.
-Unknown
***
Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
-Will Rogers
When a person wakes up in the early hours of dawn, an angel proclaims, "Glorify the Lord, Most Holy!"
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Al-Zubayr bin al-Awwam
***
The Self thought, "How can this be without me?
If speaking is done by speech, breathing by
Breath, seeing by eyes, hearing by ears, smelling
By nose, and meditation by the mind,
Then who am I?" Entering the body
Through the gateway at the crown of the head,
He passed into the three states of consciousness
In which the Self resides.
-Aitareya Upanishad
***
Our mind is like an onion, and each day and month of practice progressively peels away the layers of delusion.
-Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey, "Advice From a Spiritual Friend"
***
Desires must be purified and idealized, not exterminated.
- Rav Eliyahu of Vilna (The Vilma Gaon)
***
For daily need there is daily grace; for sudden need, sudden grace, and for overwhelming need, overwhelming grace.
-John Blanchard
***
It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out--it's the grain of sand in your shoe.
-Robert Service
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Al-Zubayr bin al-Awwam
***
The Self thought, "How can this be without me?
If speaking is done by speech, breathing by
Breath, seeing by eyes, hearing by ears, smelling
By nose, and meditation by the mind,
Then who am I?" Entering the body
Through the gateway at the crown of the head,
He passed into the three states of consciousness
In which the Self resides.
-Aitareya Upanishad
***
Our mind is like an onion, and each day and month of practice progressively peels away the layers of delusion.
-Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey, "Advice From a Spiritual Friend"
***
Desires must be purified and idealized, not exterminated.
- Rav Eliyahu of Vilna (The Vilma Gaon)
***
For daily need there is daily grace; for sudden need, sudden grace, and for overwhelming need, overwhelming grace.
-John Blanchard
***
It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out--it's the grain of sand in your shoe.
-Robert Service
A devotee who can call on God while living a householder's life is a hero indeed. God thinks: "He who has renounced the world for My sake will surely pray to Me; he must serve Me. Is there anything very remarkable about it? People will cry shame on him if he fails to do so. But he is blessed indeed who prays to Me in the midst of his worldly duties. He is trying to find Me, overcoming a great obstacle–pushing away, as it were, a huge block of stone weighing a ton. Such a man is a real hero."
-Ramakrishna
****
The truest and highest stage of worship is to see God face to face, and to receive his guidance from his own mouth. Those who attain this highest stage, choose for themselves whatever God chooses for them. Their entire characters are transformed by God. They are God's friends; so they no longer discriminate between people, but regard all people as friends. Wherever they go, they go from God; wherever they arrive, they arrive at God. Whatever they do, they do for God; whatever service they perform, they perform it in God. The self has been truly annihilated.
-Junayd, "Tawhid"
****
Faith seeks understanding. I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand.
-St. Anselm of Canterbury
***
The greatest single distinguishing feature of the omnipotence of God is that our imagination gets lost thinking about it.
-Blaise Pascal
***
It is a funny thing about life: If you refuse to accept anything but the best you very often get it.
-Somerset Maugham
***
It is better to see God in everything than to try and figure it out.
-Neem Karoli Baba
***
God scatters His light over all spirits. The fortunate hold up their skirts to receive it. Those who receive His light turn from all except God. Without the skirt of love, we cannot receive our share.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
***
Kindness is Christianity with its working clothes on.
-Unknown
***
Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life, and when it comes, hold your head high. Look it squarely in the eye, and say, "I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me."
-Ann Landers
****
As water changes according to the soil through which it flows,
so a man assimilates the character of his associates.
By knowing his thoughts, a man's mind is discovered.
By knowing his associates, his character is revealed.
-Tirukkural 46:452-453
***
As a tree with strong uninjured roots, though cut down, grows up again, so, when deep craving is not rooted out, suffering arises again and again.
-Dhammapada
-Ramakrishna
****
The truest and highest stage of worship is to see God face to face, and to receive his guidance from his own mouth. Those who attain this highest stage, choose for themselves whatever God chooses for them. Their entire characters are transformed by God. They are God's friends; so they no longer discriminate between people, but regard all people as friends. Wherever they go, they go from God; wherever they arrive, they arrive at God. Whatever they do, they do for God; whatever service they perform, they perform it in God. The self has been truly annihilated.
-Junayd, "Tawhid"
****
Faith seeks understanding. I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand.
-St. Anselm of Canterbury
***
The greatest single distinguishing feature of the omnipotence of God is that our imagination gets lost thinking about it.
-Blaise Pascal
***
It is a funny thing about life: If you refuse to accept anything but the best you very often get it.
-Somerset Maugham
***
It is better to see God in everything than to try and figure it out.
-Neem Karoli Baba
***
God scatters His light over all spirits. The fortunate hold up their skirts to receive it. Those who receive His light turn from all except God. Without the skirt of love, we cannot receive our share.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
***
Kindness is Christianity with its working clothes on.
-Unknown
***
Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life, and when it comes, hold your head high. Look it squarely in the eye, and say, "I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me."
-Ann Landers
****
As water changes according to the soil through which it flows,
so a man assimilates the character of his associates.
By knowing his thoughts, a man's mind is discovered.
By knowing his associates, his character is revealed.
-Tirukkural 46:452-453
***
As a tree with strong uninjured roots, though cut down, grows up again, so, when deep craving is not rooted out, suffering arises again and again.
-Dhammapada
Learn to look with an equal eye upon all things, seeing the one Self in all.
-Srimad Bhagavatam
***
Worship is like a work of art mastered only by the sincere, the learned scholars who practice what they know, who live and walk among people like everyone else, but in their hearts they seek freedom in the serenity of the wilderness. Because of this yearning they continue to grow until their spirits soar and become united with the numinous. About such God says, "Indeed they are the finest of human beings, cherished by us."
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
***
We believe we own our thoughts and have to do something about them, especially if they are negative. This is bound to create suffering.
-Ayya Khema, "Be an Island"
***
Churchgoers are like coals in a fire. When they cling together, they keep the flame aglow; when they separate, they die out.
-Billy Graham
***
Creativity is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to God.
-Bob Moawad
****
I cannot teach you violence, as I do not myself believe in it. I can only teach you not to bow your heads before any one even at the cost of your life.
-Mahatma Gandhi
****
Wars arise from a failure to understand one another's humanness. Instead of summit meetings, why not have families meet for a picnic and get to know each other while the children play together?
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
***
The love of God is like the Amazon river flowing down to water one daisy.
-Unknown
***
-Srimad Bhagavatam
***
Worship is like a work of art mastered only by the sincere, the learned scholars who practice what they know, who live and walk among people like everyone else, but in their hearts they seek freedom in the serenity of the wilderness. Because of this yearning they continue to grow until their spirits soar and become united with the numinous. About such God says, "Indeed they are the finest of human beings, cherished by us."
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
***
We believe we own our thoughts and have to do something about them, especially if they are negative. This is bound to create suffering.
-Ayya Khema, "Be an Island"
***
Churchgoers are like coals in a fire. When they cling together, they keep the flame aglow; when they separate, they die out.
-Billy Graham
***
Creativity is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to God.
-Bob Moawad
****
I cannot teach you violence, as I do not myself believe in it. I can only teach you not to bow your heads before any one even at the cost of your life.
-Mahatma Gandhi
****
Wars arise from a failure to understand one another's humanness. Instead of summit meetings, why not have families meet for a picnic and get to know each other while the children play together?
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
***
The love of God is like the Amazon river flowing down to water one daisy.
-Unknown
***
When you see a good man, think of emulating him; when you see a bad man, examine your heart.
-Chinese Proverb
****
When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always.
-Mahatma Gandhi
***
When God fills an adept with the desire to comprehend His essence, knowledge becomes vision, vision revelation, revelation contemplation, and contemplation existence in God. Words are hushed to silence, life becomes death, explanations come to an end, signs are effaced, and disputes are cleared up.
-Junayd, in "Rabi'a the Mystic"
****
Posing like a follower of the Buddha but acting totally against what he has advised is like insulting the Buddha himself.
-The Dalai Lama
***
At the beginning, mankind and the obligation of selfless service were created together. "Through selfless service, you will always be fruitful and find the fulfillment of your desires": this is the promise of the Creator.
-Bhagavad Gita 3:10
***
Renunciation of the world is followed by peace; its desire brings sorrow. Restrain your desires, discipline your self, and do not allow anyone to oppress your soul.
-Rabi'a, "Rabi'a the Mystic"
***
Fools are happy when acquiring wealth; noble people find happiness in giving it all away. Lepers feel better when they scratch their sores, but note how the wise dread leprosy.
-Sakya Pandita, In Ordinary Wisdom
***
-Chinese Proverb
****
When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always.
-Mahatma Gandhi
***
When God fills an adept with the desire to comprehend His essence, knowledge becomes vision, vision revelation, revelation contemplation, and contemplation existence in God. Words are hushed to silence, life becomes death, explanations come to an end, signs are effaced, and disputes are cleared up.
-Junayd, in "Rabi'a the Mystic"
****
Posing like a follower of the Buddha but acting totally against what he has advised is like insulting the Buddha himself.
-The Dalai Lama
***
At the beginning, mankind and the obligation of selfless service were created together. "Through selfless service, you will always be fruitful and find the fulfillment of your desires": this is the promise of the Creator.
-Bhagavad Gita 3:10
***
Renunciation of the world is followed by peace; its desire brings sorrow. Restrain your desires, discipline your self, and do not allow anyone to oppress your soul.
-Rabi'a, "Rabi'a the Mystic"
***
Fools are happy when acquiring wealth; noble people find happiness in giving it all away. Lepers feel better when they scratch their sores, but note how the wise dread leprosy.
-Sakya Pandita, In Ordinary Wisdom
***
My soul cries out, snared by the beauty of the formless one. As I cry by myself, night and day, beauty amassed before my eyes surpasses numberless moons and suns. If I look at the clouds in the sky, I see his beauty afloat; and I see him walk on the stars blazing my heart.
-Fikirchand
***
O you who believe! Strengthen yourselves with resolution and prayer. Indeed Allah is with those who persevere in adversity.
-Qur'an, Al-Baqara, Surah 2:153
***
Phenomena are preceded by the heart
ruled by the heart,
made of the heart.
If you speak or act
with a calm, bright heart,
then happiness follows you,
like a shadow
that never leaves.
-Dhammapada, 1, translated by Thanissaro Bhikku.
***
All the masterpieces of art contain both light and shadow. A happy life is not one filled with only sunshine, but one which uses both light and shadow to produce beauty.
-Billy Graham
***
Like the wind, like clouds, like thunder and
lightning, which rise from space without
physical shape and reach the transcendent
light in their own form, those who rise above
body-consciousness ascend to the transcendent
light in their real form, the Self.
-Chandogya Upanishad
***
What is Faith? When your good deed pleases you and your evil deed grieves you, you are a believer. What is Sin? When a thing disturbs (the peace of) your heart, give it up.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), from "Sayings of Muhammad" by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad
***
When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy.
-Corrie Ten Boom
***
Security is not the absence of danger, but the presence of God, no matter what the danger.
-Anonymous
***
-Fikirchand
***
O you who believe! Strengthen yourselves with resolution and prayer. Indeed Allah is with those who persevere in adversity.
-Qur'an, Al-Baqara, Surah 2:153
***
Phenomena are preceded by the heart
ruled by the heart,
made of the heart.
If you speak or act
with a calm, bright heart,
then happiness follows you,
like a shadow
that never leaves.
-Dhammapada, 1, translated by Thanissaro Bhikku.
***
All the masterpieces of art contain both light and shadow. A happy life is not one filled with only sunshine, but one which uses both light and shadow to produce beauty.
-Billy Graham
***
Like the wind, like clouds, like thunder and
lightning, which rise from space without
physical shape and reach the transcendent
light in their own form, those who rise above
body-consciousness ascend to the transcendent
light in their real form, the Self.
-Chandogya Upanishad
***
What is Faith? When your good deed pleases you and your evil deed grieves you, you are a believer. What is Sin? When a thing disturbs (the peace of) your heart, give it up.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), from "Sayings of Muhammad" by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad
***
When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy.
-Corrie Ten Boom
***
Security is not the absence of danger, but the presence of God, no matter what the danger.
-Anonymous
***
When all is said and done, more is said than done.
-Lou Holtz
***
Neither attachment nor aversion can touch me;
Neither greed, delusion, pride, nor jealousy are mine at all.
I am not duty, nor wealth, nor happiness—
I am Consciousness and Bliss.
I am Shiva! I am Shiva!
-Shankaracharya
***
Even in the case of individuals, there is no possibility to feel happiness through anger. If in a difficult situation one becomes disturbed internally, overwhelmed by mental discomfort, then external things will not help at all. However, if despite external difficulties or problems, internally one's attitude is of love, warmth, and kindheartedness, then problems can be faced and accepted.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
***
Forgiveness means giving up all hope of a better past.
-Landrum Bolling
***
Charity for God's sake has a hundred signs within the heart--
the good deed, a hundred tokens.
Though in charity riches are consumed,
a hundred lives come to the heart in return.
A sowing of pure seeds in God's earth, and then no income! Impossible.
-Mathnawi [IV, 1757-1759]
***
Although there are countless teachings that instruct how to obtain enlightenment in a future life, almost all of them are nothing more than expedients. As the ultimate instruction there is simply no teaching that is superior to the true practice of the awakening to one's own nature.
-Hakuin, "Zen Master Hakuin"
***
The smallest things become great when God requires them of us; they are small only in themselves; they are always great when they are done for God, and when they serve to unite us with Him eternally.
-Francois Fenelon
***
-Lou Holtz
***
Neither attachment nor aversion can touch me;
Neither greed, delusion, pride, nor jealousy are mine at all.
I am not duty, nor wealth, nor happiness—
I am Consciousness and Bliss.
I am Shiva! I am Shiva!
-Shankaracharya
***
Even in the case of individuals, there is no possibility to feel happiness through anger. If in a difficult situation one becomes disturbed internally, overwhelmed by mental discomfort, then external things will not help at all. However, if despite external difficulties or problems, internally one's attitude is of love, warmth, and kindheartedness, then problems can be faced and accepted.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
***
Forgiveness means giving up all hope of a better past.
-Landrum Bolling
***
Charity for God's sake has a hundred signs within the heart--
the good deed, a hundred tokens.
Though in charity riches are consumed,
a hundred lives come to the heart in return.
A sowing of pure seeds in God's earth, and then no income! Impossible.
-Mathnawi [IV, 1757-1759]
***
Although there are countless teachings that instruct how to obtain enlightenment in a future life, almost all of them are nothing more than expedients. As the ultimate instruction there is simply no teaching that is superior to the true practice of the awakening to one's own nature.
-Hakuin, "Zen Master Hakuin"
***
The smallest things become great when God requires them of us; they are small only in themselves; they are always great when they are done for God, and when they serve to unite us with Him eternally.
-Francois Fenelon
***
A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word darkness on the walls of his cell.
-C.S. Lewis
****
The great gift of family life is to be intimately acquainted with people you might never even introduced yourself to had life not done it for you.
-Kendall Hailey
***
Be unremitting in the doing of good deeds.
Do them with all your might and by every possible means.
Keep the mind free of impurity. That alone is the practice of virtue.
All else is nothing but empty display.
-Tirukkural 4:33-34
***
Fear is a state of darkness in which the soul wanders, bewildered, seeking help, and then comes hope as a ray of light, and grace prevails.
-Al-Sarraj, "Rabi'a the Mystic"
***
Buddha isn’t found by searching.
Look at the characteristic of your mind.
-Adept Godrakpa, in Hermit of Go Cliffs
***
One of the first things Christ says in the Gospel is this: "Happy the simple-hearted!" Yes, happy those who head towards simplicity, simplicity of heart and simplicity of life.
-Brother Roger of Taizé
-C.S. Lewis
****
The great gift of family life is to be intimately acquainted with people you might never even introduced yourself to had life not done it for you.
-Kendall Hailey
***
Be unremitting in the doing of good deeds.
Do them with all your might and by every possible means.
Keep the mind free of impurity. That alone is the practice of virtue.
All else is nothing but empty display.
-Tirukkural 4:33-34
***
Fear is a state of darkness in which the soul wanders, bewildered, seeking help, and then comes hope as a ray of light, and grace prevails.
-Al-Sarraj, "Rabi'a the Mystic"
***
Buddha isn’t found by searching.
Look at the characteristic of your mind.
-Adept Godrakpa, in Hermit of Go Cliffs
***
One of the first things Christ says in the Gospel is this: "Happy the simple-hearted!" Yes, happy those who head towards simplicity, simplicity of heart and simplicity of life.
-Brother Roger of Taizé
Sooner or later
Fortune or misfortune
May befall you.
When you know this,
You desire nothing,
You grieve for nothing.
Subduing the senses,
You are happy.
-Ashtavakra Gita 11:3
***
By charity, goodness, restraint, and self-control men and woman alike can store up a well-hidden treasure -- a treasure which cannot be given to others and which robbers cannot steal. A wise person should do good -- that is the treasure which will not leave one.
-"Khuddhaka Patha"
***
..Seek urgently the forgiveness of God, that you many enter paradise; it is vast as the sky and the earth, and has been prepared for those who believe in God and his apostle. God's grace in infinite; and he bestows it as he likes.
-Qur'an, Al-Hadid, Surah 57:21
****
A shaven head
Doesn't mean a contemplative.
The liar observing no duties,
Filled with greed & desire:
What kind of contemplative's he?
But whoever tunes out
The dissonance
Of his evil qualities
--large or small--
in every way
by bringing evil to consonance;
he's called a contemplative.
-Dhammapada, 19, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
****
One of the first things Christ says in the Gospel is this: "Happy the simple-hearted!" Yes, happy those who head towards simplicity, simplicity of heart and simplicity of life.
-Brother Roger of Taizé
***
A man with outward courage dares to die. A man with inward courage dares to live.
-Lao-Tzu
****
Fortune or misfortune
May befall you.
When you know this,
You desire nothing,
You grieve for nothing.
Subduing the senses,
You are happy.
-Ashtavakra Gita 11:3
***
By charity, goodness, restraint, and self-control men and woman alike can store up a well-hidden treasure -- a treasure which cannot be given to others and which robbers cannot steal. A wise person should do good -- that is the treasure which will not leave one.
-"Khuddhaka Patha"
***
..Seek urgently the forgiveness of God, that you many enter paradise; it is vast as the sky and the earth, and has been prepared for those who believe in God and his apostle. God's grace in infinite; and he bestows it as he likes.
-Qur'an, Al-Hadid, Surah 57:21
****
A shaven head
Doesn't mean a contemplative.
The liar observing no duties,
Filled with greed & desire:
What kind of contemplative's he?
But whoever tunes out
The dissonance
Of his evil qualities
--large or small--
in every way
by bringing evil to consonance;
he's called a contemplative.
-Dhammapada, 19, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
****
One of the first things Christ says in the Gospel is this: "Happy the simple-hearted!" Yes, happy those who head towards simplicity, simplicity of heart and simplicity of life.
-Brother Roger of Taizé
***
A man with outward courage dares to die. A man with inward courage dares to live.
-Lao-Tzu
****