Even as a solid rock is unshaken by the wind, so are the wise unshaken by praise or blame.

– Gautama Buddha.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Jeremiah

Liberation cannot be achieved except through perceiving the identity of the individual spirit with the Universal Spirit. Atman and Brahman are identical. Their essence is pure Consciousness.

– Sankara

Undisciplined love dwells in the senses, for it is still entangled with earthly things. . . . Disciplined love lives in the soul and rises above the human senses and forbids the body its own will.

Mechthild of Magdeburg

Once a friend asked Diogenes, “what must I do to take revenge on my enemies ?”

“Become more virtuous than they are” was the terse answer.

J. Marcus,

‘Anectodes of the Great’

God is not to be found within the folds of a particular religion or sect. He is neither confined within certain forms or rituals nor is He to be traced out within the scriptures. Him we have to seek in the innermost core of our heart. Really God is very simple and plain. He is not in solid forms. There is no solidity whatsoever of any kind in Him. God is simple and extremely subtle. In fact the very simplicity and purity of the Ultimate has become a veil to it.

BABUJI MAHARAJ.
CWRC. Vol.–1. Pg.–307.

Find peace in doing things for God. Don’t spare yourself. Conquer the flesh and you will see Him in front of you. The more you cater to flesh, the more you grumble, the worse you will be. Other temptations will invade you. That is why working hard for Him and meditating is the best way.

– Paramahansa Yogananda

You don’t know how free you are, when you have no husband nor wife to fuss about. First God; seek God first. I am not talking to those who are married. Those who are married, let them find out for themselves. But if you are already married you can find God just the same. But if you are free, why should you lose your freedom? God first. It is His world. It is He who is trying to delude us with wine, sex and money.

– Paramhansa Yogananda

When God’s decree becomes your pleasure, you become a willing slave, not because of burdening yourself, not on account of recompense, but by virtue of the nature now so pure that wherever divine edict may take you, living and dying will appear the same. You live for God, not for riches; you die for God, not from fear or pain.

– Rumi

You must try to rise above these changing scenes. Do not become discouraged when people strike you. You must remember to control yourself. Don’t talk too much. Those who talk too much are liable to talk useless things and waste their time. Avoid useless talk, and don’t be inquisitive about others. Be curious about God. about Gita, and about your lessons. Seek quiet places where you can be alone. Meditate and find your spiritual balance.

– Paramhansa Yogananda