From: 'One Soul Is Wiser' by Ralph Waldo Emerson A more secret, sweet, and overpowering beauty appears to man when his heart and mind open to the sentiment of virtue. Then instantly he is instructed in what is above him. He learns that his being is without bound; that, to the good, to the perfect, he is born, low as he now lies in evil and weakness. That which he venerates is still his own, though he has not realized it yet. He ought. He knows the sense of that grand word, though his analysis fails entirely to render account of it. When in innocency, or when by intellectual perception, he attains to say, - "I love the Right; Truth is beautiful within and without, forevermore. Virtue, I am thine: save me: use me: thee will I serve, day and night, in great, in small, that I may be not virtuous, but virtue;" - then is the end of the creation answered, and God is well pleased.
From: The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with J. Krishnamurti February 7 When there is love, self is not Reality, truth, is not to be recognized. For truth to come, belief, knowledge, experiencing, virtue, pursuit of virtue , which is different from being virtuous, all this must go. The virtuous person who is conscious of pursuing virtue can never find reality. He may be a very decent person; that is entirely different from the man of truth, from the man who understands. To the man of truth, truth has come into being. A virtuous man is a righteous man, and a righteous man can never understand what is truth; because virtue to him is the covering of the self, the strengthening of the self; because he is pursuing virtue. When he says `I must be without greed', the state in which he is non-greedy and which he experiences, strengthens the self. That is why it is so important to be poor, not only in the things of the world, but also in belief and in knowledge. A man rich with worldly riches, or a man rich in knowledge and belief, will never know anything but darkness, and will be the center of all mischief and misery. But if you and I, as individuals, can see this whole working of the self, then we shall know what love is. I assure you that is the only reformation which can possibly change the world. Love is not the self. Self cannot recognize love. You say "I love," but then, in the very saying of it, in the very experiencing of it, love is not. But, when you know love, self is not. When there is love, self is not.
Tao Te Ching, Mitchell translation: from Chapter 2 When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad.
To a pioneering spirit who was discouraged by frequent criticism the Master said, "Listen to the words of the critic. He reveals what your friends hide from you." But he also said, "Do not be weighed down by what the critic says. No statue was ever erected to honor a critic. Statues are for the criticized." Anthony de Mello, SJ
"To the mind, the heart and mind are two things, but to the heart, they are one." ~Stephen Levine
Spring Morning D H Lawrence Among the pink and blue Of the sky and the almond flowers A sparrow flutters --- We have come through With nothing to fight any more-- In each other, at least. See, how gorgeous the world is Outside the door !
Vedic Prayer for Peace May there be peace in the higher regions; may there be peace in the firmament; may there be peace on earth. May the waters flow peacefully; may the herbs and plants grow peacefully; may all the divine powers bring unto us peace. The supreme Lord is peace. May we all know peace, peace and peace; and may that peace come unto each of us. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti. Peace to all.
What is needed is not one religion, but mutual respect and tolerance of the different religions, unity in diversity.The soul of religions is one, but it is encased in a multitude of forms. As Vivekenanda said:"I pray that there may be as many sects as human beings". ~ Ghandi
Whatever is, is best by Ella Wheeler Wilcox I know as my life grows older And mine eyes have clearer sight, That under each rank wrong, somewhere There lies the root of Right That each sorrow has its purpose, By the sorrowing oft unguessed, But as sure as the sun brings morning, Whatever is, is best. I know that each sinful action, As sure as the night brings shade, Is somewhere, some time punished, Tho' the hour be long delayed. I know that the soul is aided Sometimes by the heart's unrest, And to grow means often to suffer But whatever is, is best. I know there are no errors, In the great Eternal plan, And all things work together For the final good of man. And I know when my soul speeds onward In its grand Eternal quest, I shall say as I look back earthward, Whatever is, is best.
Rabindranath Tagore 'Gitanjali' No. 34 Only let that little be left of me whereby I may name thee my all. Let only that little be left of my my will whereby I may feel thee on every side, and come to thee in every thing, and offer thee my love every moment. Let only that little be left of me whereby I may never hide from thee. Let only that little of my fetters be left whereby I am bound with thy will, and thy purpose is carried out in my life--and that is the fetter of thy love.
More Quotations: Back to Top Next Page Inspiration Index Allspirit Quotations Index
