Devotion and love, of course, remain so easy and yet so difficult an achievement at once. Real devotion has no tinge of affection in it and goes hand in glove with enlightenment. In the initial stages the devotee may be conscious of his feeling towards the object of his love; but at higher stages the foam and fury is dimmed to the extent of an almost total loss of its awareness at the Ultimate stage.

Ram Chandra, Complete Works of Ram Chandra, Vol. 1, p. 353

If we understand it (love) correctly, we find love is giving, and the more one gives, the more one loves, and we can therefore say with confidence that one gives totally when one loves totally. And this is what the master gives. He comes to us totally Himself and gives Himself totally to us in an endeavour, in an effort, to make us like Himself.

Taken from the book “The Role of Master in Human Evolution”, Chapter “Vorauf – June 29, 1986”, pg. 15, by Revered Chariji

A son took his father to a restaurant to enjoy a delicious dinner. His father was of advanced age, and therefore, a little weak, too. While he was eating, a little bit of food fell from time to time on his shirt and his trousers. The other diners watched the older man with their faces distorted in disgust, but his son remained totally calm.
Once both were done eating, the son, without being remotely ashamed, helped his father by taking him to the restroom. He cleaned up the leftovers from his wrinkled face, and tried to wash the stains of food from his clothes. He lovingly combed his hair gray and I finally got his glasses cleaned. On the way out of the restroom, a profound silence reigned in the restaurant. The son was going to pay the bill and get ready to escort his father out of the restaurant. Just then a man rose from his chair among the diners, and asked the son ” don’t you think that you’ve left something here? “The young man replied, “No, I haven’t missed anything”. Then the stranger said to him, ” Yes you’ve left something! You left here a lesson for each child, and hope for every parent!” The entire restaurant was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.
One of the biggest honors that exists, is the ability to take care of those older adults who cared for us. Our parents, and all those elderly who sacrificed their lives, with time, money, effort and unconditional love. They deserve our utmost respect. If you also feel respect for older adults, share this story with all your friends.

Q:- What precautions should be taken during spiritual practice?

Shri Ramakrishna:- Those who wish to attain God or make progress in their devotional practice should particularly guard themselves against the snares of lust and wealth. Otherwise they will never attain perfection.

For the attainment of the objective, we have to create in us intense longing or extreme impatience, which forces our passage on to it just as the latent motion did at the time of creation.

Ram Chandra, Complete Works of Ram Chandra, Vol. 1 (1st Indian edn., 1989), p. 217

Salient Thought for the Day.
The sign of life’s fulfilment is in softness and
mellowness.

Lines to Memorize.
Soul in search is never at rest.
Soul in slumber knoweth not the precious
peace.
Soul in wakeful communion is at rest and hath
found its peace.

Lesson.
One feels• suffocated within the boundary line of
dogmatic religion. We must avoid fanaticism.. A
fanatic never has clear vision. We need a balanced.
attitude of mind. The greatest mellowness and gentleness
are to be found in those who have realized most.
A man has nothing to give until he has learned to
shut the door and commune with his own soul.

Prayer.
0 Thou All-knowing One, free me from the
anguish of doubt and calculation.
May I never close my being to Thee.
May I open every channel to receive Thy Divine
inspiration.
May I find my home in Truth
And rest my life and happiness in Truth alone.

– Parmananda
Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers

No one can have a monopoly of spirituality.
No one can claim exclusive right to it. It is not
something cut and dried. Spirituality means getting
away from all that is calculating, cold and hard.
No one can rob us of it except when we ourselves
yield to our lower instincts.

Swami Parmananda
Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers (BDTP)

The desire for happiness (sukha prema) is a proof of the ever-existing happiness of the Self. Otherwise how can desire for it arise in you?
If headache was natural to human beings no one would try to get rid of it. But everyone that has a headache tries to get rid of it, because he has known a time when he had no headache. He desires only that which is natural to him. So too he desires happiness because happiness is natural to him.
Being natural, it is not acquired. Man’s attempts can only be to get rid of misery. If that be done the ever-present bliss is felt.
Ramana Maharishi
TWSRM

Salient Thought for the Day.

It is a great blessing when we are struck. If
there is anything in us, the blow will bring it out.

Lines to Memorize.

These dark shadow that fall upon the path of
my life,
Causing me sadness, distress and pain :
I have learned to welcome these through Thy
holy grace.
They show me how I lack wisdom ;
How failing and faltering is my strength.

Lesson.

Be brave and hold fast. Patience conquers everything
in the end. Our moods and feelings are only
momentary—they come and go, being fleeting in
nature; therefore we must try to endure them and
look upon them as a witness. Never tear down your
peace and happiness unnecessarily. Never lose faith
in yourself. Pray that Mother may make your faith.
ever stronger and stronger and give you joy, selflessness
and true devotion.

Prayer.

Do Thou, 0 Eternal One, awaken in me such
wisdom
That I may find safety in Thee alone.
Grant unto me true fortitude and spiritual
strength.
May I be enduring and unaffrighted by pain
and trouble.
If I fail or stumble, may I always turn to Thee
for help,
And find renewed courage and life in Thy
Blessed Presence.

Swami Parmananda
Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers

Solitude is in the mind of man. One might be in the thick of the world and maintain
serenity of mind; such a one is in solitude. Another may stay in a forest, but still be unable to
control his mind. He cannot be said to be in solitude. Solitude is a function of the mind. A
man attached to desire cannot get solitude wherever he may be; a detached man is always in
solitude.

Ramana Maharishi

A Disciple asks Ramana Maharishi a few questions and the Maharishi answers:
D.: They say that there are many saints in Tibet who remain in solitude and are still very
helpful to the world. How can it be?
M.: It can be so. Realisation of the Self is the greatest help that can be rendered to humanity.
Therefore, the saints are said to be helpful, though they remain in forests. But it should not be
forgotten that solitude is not in forests only. It can be had even in towns, in the thick of
worldly occupations.
D.: It is not necessary that the saints should mix with people and be helpful to them?
M.: The Self alone is the Reality; the world and the rest of it are not. The realised being does
not see the world as different from himself.
D.: Thus then, the saint’s realisation leads to the uplift of humanity without the latter being
aware of it. Is it so?
M.: Yes. The help is imperceptible but is still there. A saint helps the whole of humanity,
unknown to the latter.

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharishi

A Disciple asks Ramana Maharishi some questions and the Maharishi replies
D.: Jesus Christ cured people of their diseases. Is that only an occult power (siddhi)?
M.: Was Jesus aware at the time that he was curing men of their diseases? He could not have
been conscious of his powers. There is a story related as follows: Jesus had once cured a man
of his blindness. The man turned wicked, in course of time. Meeting him after some years,
Jesus observed his wickedness and asked him why he was so. He replied saying that, when he
was blind, he could not commit any sin. But after Jesus had cured him of blindness he grew
wicked and Jesus was responsible for his wickedness.
D.: Was not Jesus a Perfected Being possessing occult powers (siddhi)?
M.: He could not have been aware of his powers (siddhis).

From: Talks with Sri Ramana Maharishi

An examination of the ephemeral nature of external phenomena leads to vairagya. Hence enquiry (vichara) is the first and foremost step to be taken. When vichara continues automatically, it results in a contempt for wealth, fame, ease, pleasure, etc. The ‘I’ thought becomes clearer for inspection. The source of ‘I’ is the Heart – the final goal.

If, however, the aspirant is not temperamentally suited to Vichara Marga (to the introspective analytical
method), he must develop bhakti (devotion) to an ideal – may be God, Guru, humanity in general, ethical laws, or even the idea of beauty. When one of these takes possession of the individual, other attachments grow weaker, i.e., dispassion (vairagya) develops. Attachment for the ideal simultaneously grows and finally holds the field. Thus ekagrata (concentration) grows simultaneously and imperceptibly – with or without visions and direct aids.

In the absence of enquiry and devotion, the natural sedative pranayama (breath regulation)
may be tried. This is known as Yoga Marga. If life is imperilled the whole interest centres round the one point, the saving of life. If the breath is held the mind cannot afford to (and does not) jump at its pets – external objects. Thus there is rest for the mind so long as the breath is held. All attention being turned on breath or its regulation, other interests are lost.

Again, passions are attended with irregular breathing, whereas calm and happiness are attended with slow and regular breathing. Paroxysm of joy is in fact as painful as one of pain, and both are accompanied by ruffled breaths. Real peace is happiness. Pleasures do not form happiness. The mind improves by practice and becomes finer just as the razor’s edge is sharpened by stropping. The mind is then better able to tackle internal or external problems.

If an aspirant be unsuited temperamentally for the first two methods and circumstantially (on account of age) for the third method, he must try the Karma Marga (doing good deeds, for example, social service). His nobler instincts become more evident and he derives impersonal pleasure. His smaller self is less assertive and has a chance of expanding its good side. The man becomes duly equipped for one of the three aforesaid paths. His intuition may also develop directly by this single method.

Ramana Maharishi
TWSRM

In order to clarify the relationship of “atma-Paramatma” we comp a re Paramatma with an infinite ocean, a limitless ocean, and the atma as a drop in this ocean. The atma is never out of this limitless ocean ( P a r a m a t m a ) . The atma can never be out of Paramatma because Paramatma is infinite and unlimited. How can the atma come out of, or have a place beyond, the limitlessness of the limitless? Therefore the a t m a is in P a r a m a t m a

Meher Baba

After establishing the primary fact that the atma is in Paramatma we go a step further and say that atma is Paramatma. How ? For example, let us imagine an unlimited ocean. Let us also imagine that we separate or take out one iota of ocean from the limitless expanse of this unlimited ocean. It follows then that this iota of ocean, while in the limitless ocean, before separation is ocean itself, and is not there in the shoreless ocean as an iota of the ocean, because every iota of ocean, when not limited by the limitations of a drop, is unlimited ocean

— Meher Baba

There are yogis (those who practice a systematic course of esoteric knowledge) who can of themselves suspend their physical bodies in mid-air during the time they are in a temporary samadhi (trance). There are some who can bodily walk on water or fly in the air without the aid of external means, and yet all this is no sign or p roof of their having experienced divine love. Weighed on spiritual scales these miracles have no value whatsoever. In fact, miracle mongering by the average yogi is not only poles apart from the spiritual path, but is actually a hindrance to the individual’s evolution towards spiritual progress

— Meher Baba

The following incident in the life of a Hindu Master shows the disregard in which it (occult power or Siddhi) is held by Perfect Masters, who are Truth personified: The Master was one day by the river’s edge waiting for one of the little ferry boats that take passengers across the stream for the diminutive fare of one anna. A yogi seeing him thus waiting, came up to him, literally walked across the river and back, and said, “That was much easier, was it not?” The Master smilingly replied, “Yes, and had less value than that of the boat fare—one anna.”

— Meher Baba

The ability to exercise constant control over one’s low desires is no mean achievement. Success in establishing a lasting sublimation of all desires is indeed a greater one. But the greatest is the burning away of all one’s desires once and for all, which divine love alone can do. As there is never any show about divine love, this “ burning” in love is always without “smoke,” i.e., without show. There are times when an outward expression of God-love may amount to heroism, but to make at any time a mere show of one’s love for God, for the sake of show, amounts to an insult to God. That is why Kabir says that in the act of meditation when one assumes an asan ( posture) to meditate upon God, one should at that time learn to avoid making any display such as the swaying motion of one’s body, even if it is only for one’s own gratification.

— Meher Baba

States of Consciousness by Meher Baba
ALL souls (atmas) were, are and will be in the Over-Soul
(Paramatma).
Souls (atmas) are all One.
All souls are infinite and eternal. They are formless.
All souls are One; there is no difference in souls or in their being
and existence as souls.
There is a difference in the consciousness of souls;
there is a difference in the planes of consciousness of souls;
there is a difference in the experience of souls and thus
there is a difference in the state of souls.
Most souls are conscious of the gross body (sthul sharir);
some souls are conscious of the subtle body (pran);
a few souls are conscious of the mental body (mind or mana);
and
a very few souls are conscious of Self.
Most souls have experience of the gross sphere (world);
some souls have experience of the subtle sphere (world);
a few souls have experience of the mental sphere (world); and
a very few souls have experience of the Over-Soul.
Most souls are on the gross plane (anna bhumika);
some souls are on the subtle plane (pran bhumika);
a few souls are on the mental plane (mano bhumika); and
a very few souls are on the plane beyond the mental plane
(vidnyan).
Most souls have great binding; some souls have little binding;
a few souls have very little binding; and a very few souls have
absolutely no binding.
All these souls (atmas) of diff e rent consciousness, of diff e re n t
experiences, of different states are in the Over-Soul (Paramatma).
If, now, all souls are in the Over-Soul and are all One, then why
is there any diff e rence in the consciousness, in the planes, in the
experiences and in the states?
The cause of this difference is that the souls have different and
diverse impressions (sanskaras).

Meher Baba
God Speaks

The Ascending Soul

I died as mineral and became a plant,
I died as plant and rose to animal,
I died as animal and I was man.
Why should I fear? When was I less by dying?
Yet, once more, I shall die as man, to soar
With angels blessed; but even from angelhood
I must pass on; all except God doth perish.
When I have sacrificed my angel soul,
I shall become what no mind e’er conceived.
Oh, Let me not exist! For Non-existence
Proclaims in organ tones, “To Him we shall return!”

—Rumi

The better (Shreyas) is one thing, and the pleasanter (Prayas) quite another. Both these of different nature, bind a person. Of these two, well is it for him who takes the better; he fails of his aim who chooses the pleasanter.

Kathopanishad

Salient Thought for the Day.
When we consult our inner being in everything,
we begin to hear the voice of God and perceive His
Presence.

Lines to Memorize.
Lo ! a perfect cave in the utmost depths of my
heart was awaiting, ever ready and ever still.
It was afar, yea, out of reach of all our ills.
Now I sit with Thee in unbroken peace—in rain,
storm and wind.
They come and beat against my outer life, but
have no access to where my heart’s treasure
lies.

Lesson.
The ultimate vision of Reality far surpasses all
that we can picture. When we attain it, we no longer
think whether we are worthy or unworthy, rich or
poor, happy or unhapy. We gain a new spirit. We
seem to breathe the real oxygen of life, we find fresh
hope and courage. As we have certain hours for our
outer duties, so we must have a time which we devote
to our soul culture. When day after day we strive
to cultivate this inward sight, we cannot fail to
unfold it.

Prayer.
0 Thou in-dwelling Spirit,
May I learn that my own strength is never
sufficient,
But that my strength lies always in Thy strength.
May I so offer up my life that all my thoughts
and actions may have their source in Thee.

– Swami Parmananda

Thanksgiving prises opens in your consciousness
the way for spiritual growth and cosmic energy supply to come to you.
Spirit pushes Itself into visible manifestation as
soon as a channel is opened through which It can flow.
You should be thankful for everything at all times.
Realize that all power to think, and speak and act
comes from God, and that He is with you now, guiding
and inspiring you. (re-edited)

—Paramahansa Yogananda, “Thanksgiving Message”

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

The Holy Bible John 4:13, 14

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.

Holy Bible John 10:27-30

I will prepare for the coming of the Omnipresent
Baby Christ by cleaning the cradle of my consciousness,
now rusty with selfishness, indifference, and sense at-
tachments; and by polishing it with deep, daily, divine
meditation, introspection, and discrimination. I will re-
model the cradle with the dazzling soul-qualities of
brotherly love, humbleness, faith, desire for God-real-
ization, will power, self-control, renunciation, and un-
selfishness, that I may fittingly celebrate the birth of the
Divine Child.

Paramhansa Yogananda

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

The Holy Bible Matthew 7:7,8

Hanuman Chalisa translated in English
श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज बी
In the Lotus feet of my teacher/Guardian
निज मन मुकुर सुधारि।
I purify the mirror of my heart
बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु
I illustrate the story of immaculate Rama
जो दायकु फल चारि॥
which bestows four fruits (The 4 Purusharth : desire, prosperity, righteousness, liberation)
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिकै
Considering myself as frail & unwise
सुमिरौं पवनकुमार।
I contemplate Son of Wind (Hanuman)
बल बुद्धिविद्या देहु मोहिं
to impart power, knowledge & civilization
हरहु कलेश विकार ॥
& to eradicate all the miseries of life.
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुन सागर।
I glorify lord Hanuman, the deep sea of knowledge & virtues
जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर॥
I glorify The Monkey man “Vanara”, who lightens the three worlds (earth, atmosphere & beyond)
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा।
I glorify the faithful envoy of lord Ram,
अंजनि पुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥
who is also known as son of anjana (anjaniputra) & wind’s son (pavansuta)
महाबीर बिक्रम बजरंगी।
You are the distinguished warrior, the courageous & possess strength as “Indra’s vajra”
कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥
You demolish despicable mind and befriend fine intellect
कंचन बरन बिराज सुबेसा।
being gold complexioned he dwells in his handsome form
कानन कुंडल कुंचित केसा॥
You adorn earrings & curly hair.
हाथ बज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै। You hold “Vajra” in one hand & flag in the other
काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजै॥
You adorn the sacred thread “Janeu” prepared by “Munja grass” on your shoulder
शंकर सुवन केसरी नंदन।
You are the delight of Shiva, the son of Kesari
तेज प्रताप महा जग बंदन॥
You possess a majestic aura & are admired by the whole world
बिद्यावान गुनी अति चातुर।
You are the laudable abode of the eighteen types of Vidya
राम काज करिबे को आतुर॥
You are always willing to serve lord Rama
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया।
You adore listening Lord Rama’s legends
राम लखन सीता मन बसिया॥
You reside in the heart of Rama, his wife Sita & his younger brother Lakshman.
सूक्ष्म रूप धरी सियहिं दिखावा।
You searched Sita by adorning the miniscule form
बिकट रूप धरि लंक जरावा॥
And you set gold made Lanka ablaze by appearing in an outsized form
भीम रूप धरि असुर सँहारे।
You destroyed all the demons by taking horrendous form
रामचन्द्र के काज सँवारे॥
And that is how you performed all the deeds of Sri Rama.
लाय सँजीवनि लखन जियाए।
You carried the Dronagiri Mountain from Himalayas, which contained Sanjeevani to Lanka and saved Lakshman.
श्रीरघुबीर हरषि उर लाए॥
Elated by this act Sri Rama embraced you.
रघुपति कीन्हीं बहुत बड़ाई।
Rama applauded many times.
तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई॥
Rama even said that you are dear to him just like his brother Bharat.
सहस बदन तुम्हरो जस गावैं।
Thousands of people will pay tribute to you
अस कहि श्रीपति कंठ लगावैं॥
Saying this; Rama again embraces you
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा।
Many saints like Bhramha & Munisha
नारद सारद सहित अहीसा॥
Narad & Sarad have blessed Hanuman.
जम कुबेर दिक्पाल जहाँ ते।
Yama Kuber & Dikpal
कबी कोबिद कहि सकैं कहाँ ते॥
Kavi & Kovid, none could elucidate Hanuman’s glory.
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा।
You were extreme benevolent to Sugreev
राम मिलाय राजपद दीन्हा॥
Befriended him with Rama & acquired him his Kingdom Kishkindha
तुम्हरो मन्त्र बिभीषन माना।
Even Vibhishan endorsed your mantra, as a result, became king of Lanka
लंकेश्वर भए सब जग जाना॥
Ravan, former king of Lanka, was scared of you.
जुग सहस्र जोजन पर भानू।
Sun, which is at thousands of distance from Earth
लील्यो ताहि मधुर फल जानू॥
You swallowed it believing it to be a syrupy fruit.
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं।
Placing the ring in your mouth
जलधि लाँघि गये अचरज नाहीं॥
Its not astounding that you leaped the ocean
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते ।
The obscure tasks of the world
सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते॥
were achieved by your grace
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे।
You are the concierge & guardian of Rama’s court
होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे॥
No one can enter in his court without your consent
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी शरना।
All pleasures are attained by your refugee
तुम रक्षक काहू को डर ना॥
No fear can abode the one whom you protect
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै ।
Once you commemorate your powers
तीनौं लोक हाँक ते काँपे॥
all three world’s start trembling with fear
भूत पिशाच निकट नहिं आवै।
Evil spirits can not disturb
महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै॥
when one sings your hymns & remembers you.
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा।
you destroy all the ailments & take away all the pessimism
जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा॥
of those who regular remember you.
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा।
Though Rama is the Supreme Being
तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा॥
you accomplish all his tasks.
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै।
If anyone ever desires for something
तासु अमित जीवन फल पावै॥
You fulfill his desires manifolds
साधु संत के तुम रखवारे।
You are Saints & the one who meditates protector
असुर निकंदन राम दुलारे॥
You slay demons & are dear to Rama
अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि के दाता।
You possess eight supernatural powers & nine treasures
अस बर दीन्ह जानकी माता॥
and this has been granted to you by Rama’s wife Sita.
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै।
Whoever sings your hymns directly possess the Supreme Being, Rama
जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै॥
and gets rid of all the adversities & negativities of life.
अंत काल रघुबर पुर जाई।
The one who is y our devotee, goes to the Supreme being’s abode after his body death
जहाँ जन्म हरिभक्त कहाई॥
And when they are reborn after that, they are always known as God’s devotees
और देवता चित्त न धरई।
Anyone who does not prayer to any other God
हनुमत सेइ सर्व सुख करई॥
but only to you, even he attains all the treasures of life ( generally it is said that every god imparts something or the other)
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा।
All the ailments vanish & one is relieved from all the adversities
जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥
once when someone becomes your devotee & remembers you.
जय जय जय हनुमान गोसाईं।
I praise the victorious , the master of all senses, Hanuman
कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाईं॥
just like guru showers his blessings on his disciple, shower me with your blessings
जो शत बार पाठ कर कोई।
The one who recites this hymn 100 times
छूटहि बंदि महा सुख होई॥
All his troubles vanish & he gains all the life’s treasures.
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा।
Who ever recites this Chalisa
होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा॥
obtains all the powers & lord Shiva is the witness of this.
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा।
Tulsidas, who is the writer of this Chalisa, will always remain you disciple
कीजै नाथ हृदय महँ डेरा॥
and he prays to the lord enshrine in his soul always.
पवनतनय संकट हरन मंगल मूरति रूप।
I call upon son of wind, an auspicious form to remove all miseries of my life
राम लखन सीता सहित हृदय बसहु सुर भूप॥
I pray to you to reside in my heart with Rama, Sita & Lakshman.

Tulsidas

In the depths of the human condition, in the total acceptance of your humanity lies the ocean of divinity. The clear sky, the pure waters are not far away but in the middle of the struggle of human life. The yogis say, “The lotus grows in the mud.” This great compassion comes when one acknowledges one’s human condition, faults and failings, and learns to love greatly one’s own humanity, even one’s weaknesses and failings.

When one can have great compassion for oneself, one learns compassion for others. When sadhakas come together, these struggles come too, but they are part and parcel of the path and development of human kindness. Be kind to yourselves and to one another.

In the ocean of Brahma, on the shores of eternity, leave all baggage behind and give yourself over to the sea. Then like the salt doll that enters the ocean, let all that has been you return to its source. Let the grace of Bhagavan enfold you in the ocean of beatitude. Dissolve into the heart cavern of the universe where time has no beginning and no end, where mind ceases and you are finally home.

Anandamurti

n order to find our point of contact with God,
we must find our point of contact within. All ideals
are first conceived in that inner being ; and as they
are applied in the life, our life becomes fruitful or
unfruitful. Every one has some ideal, but all do not
live up to it. We must work it out. Those who from
the outset deny their power to do this, they accomplish
little ; but those who strive for it, their life is
productive. We must not leave our ideal indefinite.

Swami Parmananda
Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers

All-radiant Light of the Universe !
Make my heart so harmonious, so free from
alien and unworthy impulses,
That I may ever feel Thy infinite and all-loving
Presence within me.
Sun, moon, stars, all express Thy Divine radiance
Thou art my life ; Thou art the Light of my soul.
Shine brightly within me
And may I never veil Thy glory.

Swami Parmananda
Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers

Awakener, Thy robe of many hues
Hath transformed the dull sky into a lustre of
loveliness.
I never tire of Thy wondrous light ;
I am never sated by Thy ever-fresh beauty.

Swami Parmananda
Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers

He who is ever content and
meditative, self-subjugated and
possessed with firm conviction,
with mind and heart dedicated
to Me, he who is thus consecrated
to Me is dear to Me.

Bhagavad-Gita

We bring Thee our humble hearts.
No merit have we save our faith in Thine
infinite compassion.
Do Thou make of us Thy tools that at all
hours, in work and play,
We may revolve in Thy safe-keeping.

Swami Parmananda
Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers (BDTP)

The desire for happiness (sukha prema) is a proof of the ever-existing happiness of the Self. Otherwise how can desire for it arise in you?

If headache was natural to human beings no one would try to get rid of it. But everyone that has a headache tries to get rid of it, because he has known a time when he had no headache. He desires only that which is natural to him. So too he desires happiness because happiness is natural to him. Being natural, it is not acquired. Man’s attempts can only be to get rid of misery. If that be done the ever-present bliss is felt.

Ramana Maharishi
TWSRM

You start dying slowly – By Pablo Neruda
You start dying slowly
if you do not travel,
if you do not read,
If you do not listen to the sounds of life,
If you do not appreciate yourself.
You start dying slowly
When you kill your self-esteem;
When you do not let others help you.
You start dying slowly
If you become a slave of your habits,
Walking everyday on the same paths…
If you do not change your routine,
If you do not wear different colours
Or you do not speak to those you don’t know.
You start dying slowly
If you avoid to feel passion
And their turbulent emotions;
Those which make your eyes glisten
And your heart beat fast.
You start dying slowly
If you do not change your life when you are not satisfied with your job, or with your love,
If you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain,
If you do not go after a dream,
If you do not allow yourself,
At least once in your lifetime,
To run away from sensible advice…
Pablo Neruda,
(THE Spanish poet won Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971)

Help me to give myself to complete spiritual
union with the Source of strength and
illumination.
Lift me above all bondage and weakness.
Make my mind so free and one-pointed that it
may be full of strength.
May I turn towards the Light,
That Light which reveals, the Light that
redeems ;
To that Light which restores and replenishes.

Swami Parmananda
BDTP

Mr. Evans-Wentz: Is solitude necessary for a jnani?

Master.(Raman Maharishi): Solitude is in the mind of man. One might be in the thick of the world and maintain serenity of mind; such a one is in solitude. Another may stay in a forest, but still be unable to control his mind. He cannot be said to be in solitude. Solitude is a function of the mind. A man attached to desire cannot get solitude wherever he may be; a detached man is always in solitude.

Disciple.: So then, one might be engaged in work and be free from desire and keep up solitude. Is it so?

M.: Yes. Work performed with attachment is a shackle, whereas work performed with detachment does not affect the doer. He is, even while working, in solitude.

D.: They say that there are many saints in Tibet who remain in solitude and are still very helpful to the world. How can it be?

M.: It can be so. Realisation of the Self is the greatest help that can be rendered to humanity. Therefore, the saints are said to be helpful, though they remain in forests. But it should not be forgotten that solitude is not in forests only. It can be had even in towns, in the thick of worldly occupations.

D.: It is not necessary that the saints should mix with people and be helpful to them?

M.: The Self alone is the Reality; the world and the rest of it are not. The realised being does not see the world as different from himself.

D.: Thus then, the saint’s realisation leads to the uplift of humanity without the latter being aware of it. Is it so?

M.: Yes. The help is imperceptible but is still there. A saint helps the whole of humanity, unknown to the latter.

D.: Would it not be better if he mixed with others?

M.: There are no others to mix with. The Self is the one and only Reality.

Sri Raman Maharishi’s Discussion with a Disciple
Dated: 30th January, 1935
(Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers)

O Thou Infinite Deity, in this silent hour May I feel Thy love and protection. May I rest in that love and lose all fear and weakness. In both my sleeping and waking may I have the consciousness of Thy Presence, And may that consciousness destroy in me all self-interest and self-importance.

Swami Parmanand
Book of Daily Thoughts & Prayers (BDTP)

If a man thinks that his happiness is due to external causes and his possessions, it is reasonable to conclude that his happiness must increase with the increase of possessions and diminish in proportion to their diminution. Therefore if he is devoid of possessions, his happiness should be nil. What is the real experience of man? Does it conform to this view? In deep sleep the man is devoid of possessions, including his own body. Instead of being unhappy he is quite happy. Everyone desires to sleep soundly. The conclusion is that happiness is inherent in man and is not due to external causes. One must realise his Self in order to open the store of unalloyed happiness.

Sri Raman Maharishi

Go not to the temple to put flowers upon the feet of God,
First fill your own house with the Fragrance of love…
Go not to the temple to light candles before the altar of God,
First remove the darkness of sin from your heart…
Go not to the temple to bow down your head in prayer,
First learn to bow in humility before your fellowmen…
Go not to the temple to pray on bended knees,
First bend down to lift someone who is down-trodden.
Go not to the temple to ask for forgiveness for your sins,
First forgive from your heart those who have sinned against you.

‘Go not to the temple’
~ by Rabindranath Tagore

At the morning hour of ten, one day after the body
of Lahiri Mahasaya had been consigned to the flames,
the resurrected master, in a real but transfigured
body, appeared before three disciples, each of whom
was in a different city.
“So when this corruptible shall have put on
incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality,
then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:
Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy
sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (I Corinthians
15:45-55).”

—Paramahansa Yogananda, “Autobiography of a Yogi”

You must do your work with a sense of sanctity
and not feel that it is work. Do it in silence and
without noise. We must not talk of it and make
much of it. We must never bring a critical attitude
towards it. Better not to work at all than to work
with wrong spirit. Nothing is more purifying than
unselfish work.

Swami Parmanana
Book of Daily Thoughts & Prayers (BDTP)

If we keep our mind free, clear and open, then
there is no crisis in our life. We must never leave
our inner house in darkness ; we must ever keep
the light of consecration burning there. Where
there is light, God comes and no sense-robbers can
enter. If we keep our life in harmony, evil will
stay far from us. Some people pray only when in
trouble. If we pray continually, then when trouble
comes, our prayer will go on of itself.

Swami Parmanand
Book of Daily Thoughts

We must inform our minds that no one in this universe depends upon us; not one beggar depends on our charity; not one soul on our kindness; not one living thing on our help. All are helped on by nature, and will be so helped even though millions of us were not here. The course of nature will not stop for such as you and me; it is, as already pointed out, only a blessed privilege to you and to me that we are allowed, in the way of helping others, to educate ourselves. This is a great lesson to learn in life, and when we have learned it fully, we shall never be unhappy; we can go and mix without harm in society anywhere and everywhere.

Swami Vivekananda

He who, with devotion offereth to Me a leaf, a
flower, a fruit and water, that love-offering
I accept, made by the pure-hearted,
Even if the most wicked worships me with
undivided devotion, he should be regarded
as good, for he is rightly resolved.

Bhagavad-Gita

Compassionate One, I pray unto Thee to purify
and spiritualize my whole life.
I have no power to do aught of myself,
But Thou art an inexhaustible Storehouse of
power.
Inspire me to noble thought and action ;
Lift my aspiration and make me steadfast in
seeking and manifesting only that which is
lofty and up-building.
May I never fail to serve Thee with unfaltering
faith and devotion.

Swami Parmanand
(BDTP)

As rivers flow into the sea
and in so doing lose name
and form, so even the wise
man, freed from name and
form, attains the infinite.
— Mundaka Upanishad

The wise man does not rest by the roadside inns. He marches direct to the illimitable domain of eternal bliss, his ultimate destination.

Swami Sivananda

If a man thinks that his happiness is due to external causes and his possessions, it is reasonable to conclude that his happiness must increase with the increase of possessions and diminish in proportion to their diminution. Therefore if he is devoid of possessions, his happiness should be nil. What is the real experience of man? Does it conform to this view?

In deep sleep the man is devoid of possessions, including his own body. Instead of being unhappy he is quite happy. Everyone desires to sleep soundly. The conclusion is that happiness is inherent in man and is not due to external causes. One must realise his Self in order to open the store of unalloyed happiness.

Raman Maharishi

Meditation is not a state of concentration; it is not a state of mind at all. It is a state of
total mindlessness — and not a state of sleep either. No mind, no sleep; no mind, but total
awareness. Out of that awareness you bring a different quality to music, to painting, to
poetry. And out of that meditativeness you can bring a totally different quality to science
too. But before that can happen we will need large numbers of meditative people around
the earth.

Osho

If you try to reconcile Meditativeness and Science, it is not only difficult but impossible. It cannot be done. You will go mad — the very effort to reconcile them will drive you crazy. Avoid such an effort. Rather, on the contrary, simply watch.Life is paradoxical. It is already a synthesis of paradoxes; the opposites are already meeting in it. All that we need is a pure mirror-like consciousness, so that whatsoever life is it is reflected. And you will see in that reflection the meeting of the opposites: the meeting of East and West, the meeting of religion and science.

Osho

We cover all things with the Lord by perceiving the Divine Presence everywhere. When the consciousness is firmly fixed in God, the conception of diversity naturally drops away; because the One Cosmic Existence shines through all things. As we gain the light of wisdom, we cease to cling to the unrealities of this world and we find all our joy in the realm of Reality.

Isa Upanishad
Interpretation: Swami Parmananda

If one should desire to live in this world a hundred years, one should live performing Karma (righteous deeds). Thus thou mayest live; there is no other way. By doing this, Karma (the fruits of thy actions) will not defile thee.

If a man still clings to long life and earthly possessions, and is therefore unable to follow the path of Self-knowledge (Gnana-Nishta) as prescribed in the first Mantram (text), then he may follow the path of right action (Karma-Nishta). Karma here means actions performed without selfish motive, for the sake of the Lord alone. When a man performs actions clinging blindly to his lower desires, then his actions bind him to the plane of ignorance or the plane of birth and death; but when the same actions are performed with surrender to God, they purify and liberate him.

Isa Upanishad
Interpretation: Swami Parmananda

After leaving their bodies, they who have killed the Self go to the worlds of the Asuras, covered with blinding ignorance.

The idea of rising to bright regions as a reward for well-doers, and of falling into realms of darkness as a punishment for evil-doers is common to all great religions. But Vedanta claims that this condition of heaven and hell is only temporary; because our actions, being finite, can produce only a finite result.

What does it mean “to kill the Self?” How can the immortal Soul ever be destroyed? It cannot be destroyed, it can only be obscured. Those who hold themselves under the sway of ignorance, who serve the flesh and neglect the Atman or the real Self, are not able to perceive the effulgent and indestructible nature of their Soul; hence they fall into the realm where the Soul light does not shine. Here the Upanishad shows that the only hell is absence of knowledge. As long as man is overpowered by the darkness of ignorance, he is the slave of Nature and must accept whatever comes as the fruit of his thoughts and deeds. When he strays into the path of unreality, the Sages declare that he destroys himself; because he who clings to the perishable body and regards it as his true Self must experience death many times.

Isa Upanishad
Interpretation: Swami Parmananda

That One, though motionless, is swifter than the mind. The senses can never overtake It, for It ever goes before. Though immovable, It travels faster than those who run. By It the all-pervading air sustains all living beings.

This verse explains the character of the Atman or Self. A finite object can be taken from one place and put in another, but it can only occupy one space at a time. The Atman, however, is present everywhere; hence, though one may run with the greatest swiftness to overtake It, already It is there before him.

Even the all-pervading air must be supported by this Self, since It is infinite; and as nothing can live without breathing air, all living things must draw their life from the Cosmic Self.

Isa Upanishad
Interpretation: Swami Parmananda

I know now that I am a lion of cosmic power.
Bleating no more, I shake the error forest with
reverberations of Thine almighty voice. In divine
freedom I bound through the jungle of earthly
delusions, devouring the little creatures of vexing
worries and timidities, and the wild hyenas of
disbelief.

O Lion of Liberation, ever send through me Thy
roar of all-conquering courage.

— Paramahansa Yogananda, “Whispers from Eternity”

Why do you consider non-essentials so important?
Most people concentrate on breakfast, lunch, and
dinner, work, social activities, and so on. Make your
life more simple and put your whole mind on the
Lord.

—Paramahansa Yogananda, “How You Can Talk With God”

Mystic Trail, which started with the name Spiritual Diary in 2010 Completes 5 years on 22nd November 2015. We made efforts to see that none of the quotes are repeated. They were all different.

Sometimes it is also good to re-look at the quotes and pick out the ones you didn’t understand, or the ones you want to re absorb. So this time I am not giving you a new quote. I suggest you go to the Mystic Trail page and browse through the Masters, their quotes and their pictures.

Make it an occasional habit to visit the page. Sometimes a second look reveals something new you might not have noticed earlier. Also try to contemplate in silence on the quotes that affected you. You will discover a new dimension of experience.

Om Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya |
Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya |
Mrtyor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya |
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||

The Upanishad

Meaning:
1: Om, (O Lord) Keep me not in the Unreality (of the bondage of the Phenomenal World), but lead me towards the Reality(of the Eternal Self),
2: (O Lord) Keep me not in the Darkness (of Ignorance), but lead me towards the Light (of Spiritual Knowledge),
3: (O Lord) Keep me not in the (Fear of) Death (due to the bondage of the Mortal World), but lead me towards theImmortality (gained by the Knowledge of the Immortal Self beyond Death),
4: Om, (May there be) Peace, Peace, Peace (at the the three levels – Adidaivika, Adibhautika and Adhyatmika).

Path presupposes distance;
If He be near, no path needest thou at all.
Verily it maketh me smile
To hear of a fish in water athirst!

Sant Kabir

Ordinary love is selfish, darkly rooted in desires and satisfactions.
Divine love is without condition, without boundary, without change.
The flux of the human heart is gone forever at the transfixing touch of pure love.

Swami Sri Yukteshwar Giri

…….“Be like the divine leech and suck up a lot of wisdom even though torn to bits.
A smooth life is not a victorious life.”

………..”And I will give you lots of good karma so you will get through.
I will not only ever forgive you, but ever lift you up no matter how many times you fall.
Keep unceasingly trying to conquer. Not only will I invisibly help you,
but visibly through many disciples here”…………………

“I am not building a mansion for you to give you riches which will perish,
but I am making an imperishable home with all riches in my Divine Mother’s mansion.”

Paramhans Yogananda
(From a letter to a disciple)

The fact remains that man has become God and man can become God for the simple reason that, knowingly or unknowingly, man is God. Only so long as man’s ignorance lasts will there seem to be no end to the plural diversity of illusory things. When divine knowledge is gained he realizes that there is no end to the indivisible oneness of God.

Meher Baba

The last message that was sent to you was message no. 800 this is message # 801. The 700th message was sent With this we complete yet another milestone in the history of Mystic Trail (Originally known as ‘Spiritual Diary’) Since you have been receiving these quotes for so many years (Since November 22nd 2010), perhaps you could recommend those you love or care for to join this group so that they too can avail the benefit of these Divine Quotes from the greatest Master in History of Mankind
_______________________________________
The Supreme Entity is the vastest entity; the ultimate source of all cosmic emanations. The Supreme Entity, which is difficult to conceive, is the subtlest of the subtle. He is farther away than any other entity, but again He is nearer than the nearest. Only the one who looks into the innermost recesses of himself can realize the Supreme Entity.
Human society is one and indivisible. Don’t try to divide it. Each and every individual should be looked upon as the manifestation of the Cosmic Entity.
He is infinite. He has no beginning and no end. He is the unbroken flow of pure and serene bliss, stretching from beginninglessness to endlessness.

– Sri Sri Anandamurti

When any supposedly ill behaviour
of your Beloved the Great Lord
will not agitate your mind
upsetting your temperament
thus making you maintain
unbreakable constancy
to your Beloved the Great Lord
beware! It is a test of adherence
which is goading you on
in a modest manner
so that your character gets consoled ;
and that is indeed the way to be a heavenly man.

– Thakur Shri Shri Anukul Chandra

Kabir, referring to the removal of the seven folds of the veil, says:

Tere ghukghata ke pata khola tujhe Rama milega.

“Open the folds of your veil, and you shall find God.” The ghunghat literally means the covering that a woman extends over her head and face in a number of folds; in spiritual parlance it re p resents the heavy folds of ignorance that keep man hidden f rom his real identity. The lifting of it, fold by fold, corresponds to the stage-by-stage journey of a pilgrim from the first through the fifth plane of the divine path.

– Meher Baba (God Speaks)

Under the illusion of cosmic duality the apparent separation between man and God is invariably re f e rred to by masters in terms of the intervenient “veil” and “curtain.” Hafiz, who was a Perfect Master as well as a great poet, says:

Miyanah ’ashiq o m’ashuq hic hayal nist
Tu Kvud hijab-i Kvudi, Hafiz, az miyan barKiz.

“ There is no barrier between the lover and Beloved; Hafiz, lift yourself aside, you are yourself the covering over Self.”

– Meher Baba

Dar asitan-i janan asman biyandish
Kaz auj-i sar bulandi ufti biKak-i pasti.

“On the threshold of the Beloved, beware of the allurements of the heavens, lest you bring about your fall from the heights of progress and greatness to the depths of degradation and ruin.”

Hafiz

If a gift is to be real, then both the giver and receiver of the gift must forget the transaction comp letely. To forget completely would mean that the giver should not feel he has given, and the receiver should not know he has received. If the giver does not forget, then he has obligated the receiver; and if the receiver does not forget, he experiences a sense of obligation towards the giver. The real gift of love bestowed on man 12 comes from God alone, and remembrance is absent in both the One who gives and the one who receives. Because of this complete forgetfulness man can strive eternally to love God, and God remains the eternal Beloved for mankind.

-Meher Baba

If anyone hurts you and you forgive him, you are leading yourself to the kingdom of God. If anyone is quarrelsome and you give understanding, you are taking yourself to the kingdom of God. If someone is suffering and you reach out with aid and compassion, you are moving into the presence of God.

– Yogananda

Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.
Do not lose courage in considering you own imperfections
but instantly set about remedying them – every day begin the task anew.

– Saint Francis de Sales

Someone asked, “Why is there suffering?” Meher Baba gave this succinct reply: “Suffering is essential for the elimination of the ego, just as it was necessary for you to scrub and scrub in order to wash the stain from my coat.”

To learn the secret of the Unseen is only fitting for that one who can seal her lips and keep silent.
– Rumi

“Happiness is an inside job”
People go through their whole lives chasing everything in the material world, and they fail to discover the greatest treasure of all, which is within them.
Shut your eyes to the outside world. Direct your thoughts and words to the inside of you. The Master within you is the key to all the treasures in the world.
~ from the book ‘The Secret’ by Rhonda Byrne

Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made:
Our times are in His hand
Who saith, “A whole I planned,
Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!”

– Robert Browning

He who binds to himself a joy
Doth the winged life destroy.
But he who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in Eternity’s sunrise.

– William Blake

I kept searching for meaning and then love embraced me, all search disappeared.

~ Buddha

Lord, the night is gone. The dawn has lighted the sky. How I long to know if You accepted or rejected my prayers. Comfort me, Lord, for only you can comfort this state of mine.
You gave me life and nurtured me; Yours is all the praise. If You would ever drive me away from Your door, I would never abandon it for the sake of Your love, which I carry in my heart.-

~ Rabia Rabia the Mystic

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God.

Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.

– Anne Frank

It doesn’t take much inner listening to know that ” in there ” are many voices: speaking, singing, shouting and whispering.

*********************
What the inner voice says
Will not disappoint the hoping soul.

~ Friedrich Schiller

Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.

― Mother Teresa

Who dares impede my progress? Who presume
The spirit to control which guideth me?
Still must the arrow wing its destined flight!
Where danger is, there must Johanna be;
Nor now, nor here, am I foredoomed to fall;
Our monarch’s royal brow I first must see
Invested with the round of sovereignty.
No hostile power can rob me of my life,
Till I’ve accomplished the commands of God.

Freidrich Schiller
(The Maid of Orleans) (1801), Act II, Scene 4 (as translated by Anna Swanwick)

Never destroy your own happiness through impatience and thoughtlessness. The same thing can produce both happiness and unhappiness. We can make ourselves so uncontrolled, so unworthy of the blessings that surround us that we are not able to take good opportunities when they come. Truth is a light, a glowing spiritual light. When that light shines, there can be no darkness. Heaven is not a vague, visionary thing. It is something we create within ourselves. We make it out of the exuberance and radiance of our own soul.

Swami Parmananda

Prayer.
0 Thou All-abiding Spirit, make Thy care and guidance a reality to me.
May the consciousness of Thy Presence become so vivid
That I may find all my rest and strength in Thee alone.
May I walk by Thy light only and never turn away to follow darkness.

Swami Parmananda
(Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers)

Our happiness depends on the happiness of others. We should expand our little nature. There is no such thing as selfish happiness in political life ; there is no such thing as selfish happiness in social life ; there is no such thing as selfish happiness in spiritual life. Unhappiness means that we close our hearts to the higher avenues of true joy. True happiness is contained in the Infinite and Eternal.

Swami Parmananda
(Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers)

Prayer.
May the Divine Spirit protect me from selfishness and pettiness.
May I never yield to dejection or discontent.
May He grant me brightness of spirit and cheerfulness.
May I find all my happiness in Him, not in the things of this world.
May He bestow His peace and blessing upon my life

Swami Parmananda
(Book of daily Thoughts and Prayers)

If the door shuts, do not go away.
Be patient, even if every possibility seems closed.
The friend has secret ways known to no one else.

—- Rumi

He wept when they appointed him judge. The deputy asked, “Why do [you] cry? This is the time to rejoice.” “How can I who does not know decide between two who know?” “Accept no bribe,” the deputy said. “Then you will know. Do not give in to desire; it will make you blind. Since I turned from vain desires, my heart has become like a mirror bright. It recognizes truth from untruth.

-Rumi Mathnawi

Not allowing a day to pass without doing some good is a boulder that will block your passage on the path to rebirth. Only virtuous deeds abound in true joy. All other deeds are empty and devoid of distinction.

Tirukkal.

The degree of freedom from unwanted thoughts and the degree of concentration on a single thought are the measures to gauge spiritual progress.

Raman Maharishi

Lover, sit still and wait ;
Whom thou desirest will come.
Being alone is not lonely.
And how wilt thou receive Him if thou art
not alone ?
Waiting is for preparing ;
Watching with longing is sweet ;
And when He comes all this will end
And thou thyself will be lost in love.

Swami Parmanand

It is necessary to open the deeper side of one’s
nature by patience, humility and obedience before
one can take spiritual teaching. That is why the great
sages of India were so insistent in their discipline.
Those who cannot bear reprimand, it shows they are
shallow and empty. Discipleship is a very sacred
thing and it cannot be given to one who is not fully
prepared for it.

Swami Parmanand
(Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers)

The Infinite is the source of joy. There is no joy in the finite. Only in the Infinite is there joy. Ask to know the Infinite

– Chandogya Upanishad..

The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer,
and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.

– Brother Lawrence

Don’t mentally review any problem constantly.
Let it rest at times and it may work itself out; but see
that you do not rest so long that your discrimination is
lost. Rather, use these rest periods to go deep within
the calm regions of your inner Self.

–Paramahansa Yogananda, “The Law of Success”

The East has lived religiously — that is one pole — and because it has lived religiously it
has not been able to produce science. The West has lived scientifically, and because of its
science it has lost track of religion. Now for the first time, the East is no more East and
the West is no more West. The earth is becoming one: the earth is becoming one. global
village. This is the time when the reconciliation can be seen, can be understood.
Man is entering into a new phase; a new consciousness is to dawn. For at least ten
thousand years, as far as consciousness is concerned, nothing new has happened. There
have been Buddhas and there have been Albert Einsteins, but we are still waiting for a
Buddha who is also an Albert Einstein or an Albert Einstein who is also a Buddha. The
day is coming closer and closer. Albert Einstein in his last days was very much interested
in meditation, in religion. His last days were full of wonder. He said in his old age, “I
used to think when I was young that sooner or later all the mysteries of existence would
be solved, and I worked hard. But now I can say that the more we know, the more
existence turns out to be mysterious. The more we know, the less we know and the more
we become aware of the vastness….”

Osho Rajneesh

Twelve Words of Wisdom by Baba Fareed

1. Do not follow a truth which resembles a lie
2. Do not degrade yourself to achieve a rank
3. If you want the position of a saint, remain away from the kings family
4. Always find an excuse to do something good
5. Do not fight with anyone in a way leaving no chance to come back
6. Do not quit your activities because of other’s cold shoulder
7. Look the way you are, otherwise your true face will be unveiled automatically
8. Beware of a wise looking foolish man
9. Don’t buy a slave who is ready to be sold
10. A person should perform such deeds which keep him alive for ever
11. Truthful in love is a person who has only love and nothing else in his heart

Loghman of Sarrakhs cried: “Dear God, behold
Your faithful servant, poor, bewildered, old–
An old slave is permitted to go free;
I’ve spent my life in patient loyalty,
I’m bent with grief, my black hair’s turned to snow;
Grant manumission, Lord, and let me go.”
A voice replied: “When you have gained release
from mind and thought, your slavery will cease;
You will be free when these two disappear.”
He said: “Lord, it is You whom I revere;
What are the mind and all its ways to me?”
And left them there and then — in ecstasy
He danced and clapped his hands and boldly cried:
“Who am I now? The slave I was has died;
What’s freedom, servitude, and where are they?
Both happiness and grief have fled away;
I neither own nor lack all qualities;
My blindness looks on secret mysteries —
I know not whether You are I, I You;
I lose myself in You, there is no two.”

Farid ud-Din Attar
From the Conference of Birds,

Lost in myself
I reappeared
I know not where
a drop that rose
from the sea and fell
and dissolved again;
a shadow
that stretched itself out
at dawn,
when the sun
reached noon
I disappeared.
I have no news
of my coming
or passing away–
the whole thing
happened quicker
than a breath;
ask no questions
of the moth.
In the candle flame
of his face
I have forgotten
all the answers.
In the way of love
there must be knowledge
and ignorance
so I have become
both a dullard
and a sage;
one must be
an eye and yet
not see
so I am blind
and yet I still
perceive,
Dust
be on my head
if I can say
where I
in bewilderment
have wandered:
Attar
watched his heart
transcend both worlds
and under its shadow
now is gone mad
with love.

Farid ud-Din Attar
English version by Peter Lamborn Wilson and Nasrollah Pourjavady
Original Language Persian/Farsi

Do not lament if you see no lights or images in
meditation. Go deep into the perception of Bliss; there
you will find the actual presence of God. Seek not a
part but the Whole.

—Paramahansa Yogananda, “Sayings of Paramahansa
Yogananda”

Not through a desultory life but through a regular
and balanced life will you receive the blessings of the
Masters. Then evil will never use you as an instrument.

—Paramahansa Yogananda, in a talk to disciples

Christ came and lived among men to awaken the Christ-consciousness within them. Christ should be born in each one of you. Then alone you will understand spiritual life. Then alone you will try to live a perfect, divine life. Then alone you will realize the spirit of Christ, which is within each one of us. Every day should be a Christmas Day for us. So bring the spirit of Christ into your daily life. Behold Christ in everything, in all beings. Cultivate sympathy and mercy for all beings. Expand your heart and embrace all. Greet the Christ everywhere. Remember, Christ is in the saint and the sinner. Christ is in the dog and in the laborer. Christ is in all. And Christ is in you!

– Swami Sivananda

Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.

-Martin Luther

If this is to be a Happy New Year, a year of usefulness, a year in which we shall live to make this earth better, it is because God will direct our pathway. How important then, to feel our dependence upon Him!

– Matthew Simpson

Told to Sarada Devi: Just as Chanda Mama (`uncle’ moon) is the uncle of all children, so God is everybody’s Own. Whoever calls on Him will be blessed with His vision. If you call on him, you also will see Him

– Ramakrishna Paramhans

God can be realized; one can see and talk to Him as I am seeing and talking to you. But who cares? People shed torrents of tears for their wife and children, for wealth or property, but who does so for the sake of God? If one weeps sincerely for Him, He surely manifests Himself.

Swami Ramakrishna Paramhans

Even if it is agreed that Radha was not a historical personality and that the episode is imagined by some lover of God, why not fix your mind on the intense yearning of Radha and the Gopis for the Supreme? Why dwell on the expression? This may appear human to you, but the yearning and vision you must take as divine.

Swami Ramakrishna Paramhans

Anything that is secret and mysterious in these systems of yoga should be at once rejected. The best guide in life is strength. In religion, as in all other matters, discard everything that weakens you, have nothing to do with it.

Swami Vivekananda

All who have actually attained any real religious experience never wrangle over the form in which the different religions are expressed. They know that the soul of all religions is the same and so they have no quarrel with anybody just because he or she does not speak in the same tongue.

Swami Vivekananda

Be empty of worrying…. Why do you stay in prison when the door is so wide open?
Move outside the tangle of fear-thinking.

~Rumi, (as interpreted by Coleman Barks)

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly.

– The Buddha

Parvardigar the Preserver and Protector of all!
You are without Beginning, and without End,
Non-dual, beyond comparison, and none
can measure You.
You are without colour, without expression,
without form, and without attributes.
You are unlimited and unfathomable,
beyond imagination and conception,
eternal and imperishable.
You are indivisible; and none can see You,
but with Eyes Divine.
You always were, You always are, and
You always will be;
You are everywhere, You are in everything;
and You are also beyond everywhere
and beyond everything.
You are in the firmament and in the depths;
You are manifest and unmanifest, on
all planes and beyond all planes.
You are in the three worlds, and also
beyond the three worlds;
You are imperceptible and independent.
You are the Creator, the Lord of lords,
the knower of all minds and hearts;
You are omnipotent and omnipresent.
You are Knowledge Infinite, Power Infinite,
and Bliss Infinite.
You are the Ocean of Knowledge, all-knowing,
infinitely knowing, the Knower of the past,
the present, and the future, and You are
Knowledge Itself.
You are all-merciful and eternally benevolent;
You are the Soul of souls, the One with
infinite attributes.
You are the Trinity of Truth, knowledge, and
Bliss,
You are the Source of Truth, the Ocean of Love;
You are the Ancient One, the Highest of the High;
You are Prabhu and Parameshwar, You are the
Beyond-God, and the Beyond-Beyond God also,
You are Parabrahma, Allah, Elahi, Yezdan,
Ahuramazda, and God the Beloved.
You are named Ezad the only One
worthy of worship.

– Meher Baba (Universal Prayer )

The friendship that exist between guru and disciple
is eternal. There is complete surrender, there is no
compulsion, when a disciple accepts the guru’s training.

—Paramahansa Yogananda, “Man’s Eternal Quest”

The ability to exercise constant control over one’s low desire s is no mean achievement. Success in establishing a lasting sublimation of all desires is indeed a greater one. But the greatest is the burning away of all one’s desires once and for all, which divine love alone can do.

– Meher Baba (God Speaks)

Lose yourself altogether when bowing down to God with a single-minded devotion and you will obtain joy and power in proportion. If you cannot do anything else, at least morning and evening at the appointed time, lay down your body, mind and life before Him in salutation and surrender, and think of Him just a little.

Anandmayi Ma

True charity remembers not only those in need who ask,
but also those who are prevented by some reason from asking
.
– Sura 51:19

The thought: “I am the doer”
is the bite of a poisonous snake.
To know: “I do nothing”
is the wisdom of faith.
Be happy.

Ashtavakra Geeta 1.8

You are not earth, water, fire or air.
Nor are you empty space.
Liberation is to know yourself
as Awareness alone—
the Witness of these.

Ashtavakra Gita 1.3

If you are destined for good fortune you will be blessed;
if afflictions have been ordained, no matter where you hide they will seek you out.
Submit therefore before the will of God; be grateful in well-being and endure adversity with fortitude that His light may radiate within your being.

– Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani

A human being has so many skins inside, covering the depths of the heart. We know so many things, but we don’t know ourselves! Why, thirty or forty skins or hides, as thick and hard as an ox’s or a bear’s, cover the soul. Go into your own ground and learn to know yourself there.

– Meister Eckhart

I love,
because my love
is not dependent
on the object of love.
My love is dependent
on my state of being.
So whether
the other person changes,
becomes different,
friend turns into a foe,
does not matter,
because my love
was never dependent
on the other person.
My love
is my state of being.
I simply love.

~ Osho ~

You are not to do anything to be happy. In fact you have done too much to become unhappy. If you want to be unhappy, do too much. If you want to be happy, allow things, allow things to be. Rest, relax, and be in a let go. Let go is the secret of life. When you are in a letgo many things, millions of things, start happening. They were already happening but you were never aware.

~ Osho

The supreme Self, adored in the scriptures, Can be realized through the path of yoga. Subtler than the banyan seed, subtler Than the tiniest grain,
even subtler Than the hundred-thousandth part of a hair,
This Self cannot be grasped, cannot be seen.

Atma Upanishad

There are two ways to look at life. One is as though nothing is a miracle;
the other is as though everything is.

– Albert Einstein

Let the wise guard their thoughts, which are difficult to perceive,
which are extremely subtle, which wander at will.
Thought which is well guarded is the bearer of happiness.

– The Buddha

Him I call a Mahatman (Great Soul), whose heart bleeds for the Poor, otherwise he is a Duratman (Evil Soul).

So long as the millions live in hunger and ignorance, I hold every man a traitor who, having been educated at their expense, pays not the least heed to them.

Swami Vivekananda

You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.”

~ Mahatma Gandhi

Out of compassion I destroy the darkness of their ignorance.
From within them I light the lamp of wisdom and dispel all darkness from their lives.

– Bhagavad Gita

There is a benefit even in misfortune, for it is the rod With which a man can measure the loyalty of friends.”

– Tirukkural 80:796

Penance is that goodness which refrains from killing.

Perfection is that goodness which refuses to tell others’ faults.

Humility is the strength of the strong and the weapon with which the wise conquer their foes.

– Tirukkural 99:984-985

Try to treat with equal love all the people with whom you have relations.
Thus the abyss between “myself” and “yourself” will be filled in, which is the goal of all religious worship.

– Anandamayi Ma

On this path, effort never goes to waste, and there is no failure.
Even a little effort toward spiritual awareness will protect you from the greatest fear.

– Bhagavad Gita

Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

He who has no desires has no sorrow, but where there is desire There will be ever-increasing sorrows.

When desire, sorrow’s sorrow, dies away, Undying bliss prevails even here on earth.

It is the nature of desire never to be fulfilled, but he who utterly Gives it up realizes eternal fulfillment at that very moment.

– Tirukkural 37: 368-370
(posted by Sukhwani)

There are two kinds of pranamas : Offering to Him your whole body and mind with all thoughts, desires, sense-impressions, love, affection, devotion, just like emptying the contents of a full pitcher to its last drop. The other way is like scattering face-powder through the minute holes of a powder-box : the major portion of your thoughts and desires is kept back in a hidden chamber of your mind, and only a little dust is allowed to escape.

Anandamayi Ma

Your earthly pension expires with your life, but the divine pension continues long, long after death. Those who amass money, store it up in a hidden chamber of their house, add to this store what they can save from time to time, and keep a constant watch over their treasure. So also reserve a little corner of your mind and heart for God and always steal an opportunity to add to your stock in the shape of the invocation of His name or some pious work or divine thought.

Anandamayi Maa

The more one develops spiritually, the deeper becomes his or her love and compassion for humanity. Accompanying love and compassion is the desire to uplift humanity from the throes of ignorance and war and the consequent suffering they bring. However, you must remember to make God first in your heart always. The Father will not be content with second place; He must reign first and foremost in the most tender center of your being–your heart. Through His blessings and grace alone are you able to develop and help humanity emerge from its ignorance.
Meditate regularly and practice Kriya Yoga faithfully with all the concentration of your mind and the intensity of your heart. On Christmas Eve meditate for many hours in the presence of other devotees. Dedicate this extended meditation to the achievement of the love of God and the attainment of World Peace and Brotherhood among all nations.
Yogananda, Christmas, 1950

Share your gifts (material, mental and spiritual) with the less fortunate on Christmas. This will make your holiday a real one,. The gifts need not be expensive but practical ones: durable clothing (new or used) for those who need it, canned and dried foods for people who find them difficult to obtain in their countries, a friendly visit to the physically afflicted, a word of comfort to the depressed, and spiritual manna to those who are seeking the love of God. You can help distant as well as local people in these ways.
Be ambitious for God. Keep seeking Him through meditation and keep working for Him. This will give you the spiritual emancipation you are seeking. Christ and the great ones showed through exemplary living that it can be done. So follow their footsteps quietly and humbly. God bless you always. May your every day become a Christmas of ever-new joy, love, peace, and wisdom in God and the Gurus.
With deepest blessings,
Paramahansa Yogananda, Christmas, 1950

When clutches of the “self” break away, they clap their hands and break into dance as their imperfections fade away. The musicians within; strike the tambourine, and the seas burst into foam at their ecstasy.

– Rumi, “The Life and Thought of Rumi

Hidden away in the inner nature of the real man is the law of his life, and someday he will discover it and consciously make use of it. He will heal himself, make himself happy and prosperous, and live in an entirely different world. For he will have discovered that life is from within and not from without.

– Ralph Waldo Emerson
(posted by Sukh Wani)

Knowledge of ourselves teaches us whence we come, where we are and whither we are going. We come from God and we are in exile; and it is because our potency of affection tends towards God that we are aware of this state of exile.

– Jan van Ruysbroeck

The succession of experiences that one goes through in the process of involution is called the Spiritual Path, and the going through them is likened to a journey. On one stage you hear melodious sounds and music that enchant and overwhelm you. On another stage you see wonderful visions in which most often you get lost. Such experiences are part and parcel of the Great Dream in Illusion, though together they may be called a real or super Dream compared with day to day experiences of the gross sphere.

The experiences are so innumerable and varied, that the journey appears to be interminable and the Destination is ever out of sight. But the wonder of it is, when at last you reach your Destination you find that you had never travelled at all! It was a journey from here to Here. As one Sufi expressed it, When I plucked the date (Fruit of Realization) I found the fruit was within me.

Meher Baba

The journey seems infinitely long while you are passing through the dream-experiences of reincarnation and the six planes of involution, until finally you merge into yourself to emerge as Self.

But the journey is after all no journey: it is simply the momentum of your urge to awaken from the Dream and get established in the reality of the God-state of Infinite Consciousness. To awaken means to consciously experience the sound-sleep State of God. When you awaken you find that the Great Dream containing all the varied illusory aspects of dreaming, has vanished forever. Heaven and hell as well as all the planes vanish within your Self, to remain as nothing. In this Awakened State, there is no scope for anything besides you — the Self, the Existence eternal and the Infinite.

This is the only Experience worth experiencing and aspiring after. To gain this Experience you have to become as dust at the feet of the Perfect Master — which amounts to becoming as nothing. And, when you become absolutely nothing, you become Everything.

Meher Baba

Even as the sun shines and fills all space With light, above, below, across, so shines The Lord of Love and fills the hearts of all created beings. From him the cosmos comes, he who teaches Each living creature to attain perfection According to its own nature. He is The Lord of Love who reigns over all life.

– Shvetashvatara Upanishad

He is not asleep. He is not awake. He never closes his eyes Or opens them. Wherever he is, He is beyond everything. He is free. And the man who is free Always lives in his heart. His heart is always pure. Whatever happens, He is free of all desires.

– Ashtavakra Gita 17:10-11

My Christmas wish for you this year is two fold: that the consciousness of Christ be manifest in you through deep meditation, and that your exemplary actions will persuade others to abandon their evil or worldly ways and become spiritual. Both meditation and action are necessary on the spiritual path, for they contribute toward individual and mass evolution. It is not God’s will to develop spiritually in a selfish way, i.e., without extending help to others who are suffering. So remember always to render service to mass evolution, while seeking the Father through regular practices of deep meditation.

Christmas Massage from Paramhans Yoganand
December 1950