Quotable Quotes

"The most pitiful among men is he who turns his dreams into silver and gold."

~ Kahlil Gibran ~

The Extra Burden

The story is told of one of the great men of the 19th century, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, a monk who was a devout follower of the Indian culture, and who established the new Hindu religious sect called Arya-Samaj.  

During the initial days of his spiritual practice, he used to wear only the same loincloth on his body.  Once a man approached him and said, "Swamiji, since you have only one loincloth, I have brought you another."

The yogi replied, "Well, friend, even this one loincloth is a burden to me.  Why do you load me with an extra burden?  I thank you for your regard, but I cannot accept another loincloth.  Please take it back."

Moral of the story: If you are not contented with what you already have, you will definitely not be contented with what you would like to have.

A man's true wealth is the good he does in this world.

~ Prophet Mohamed ~

Celestial Poems of Sathya Sai Baba

"He does not exist in different disciplines of learning,

He does not exist in the various forms of logic.

He does not exist in different religions,

He does not exist in the disciplines of argumentation,

He exists only in one - in the compassionate heart."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

Divine Wisdom

God Loves You Unconditionally

When I was a boy I never liked going to church that much. I enjoyed the Sunday potluck dinners we sometimes had after it. They were a feast of country cooking. I enjoyed the Sunday school classes too. I got to see my friends there. It was the church services themselves that I couldn't relate too. They were full of symbolism and rituals that my young mind couldn't yet understand. 

The sermons and Bible readings were largely tuned out by me too. It was struggle enough just keeping my little body still in the hard, wooden pews. I longed to be outside playing in the sunshine. I would look around at the people dressed in their Sunday best while I tugged at my own tie. Then I'd glance at my watch and wonder when it would end.

It was during one of those sermons, however, that I did hear something that would stick in my heart, soul, and mind from that day forward. It was the middle of Summer and the heat made me feel even more restless than usual. I was looking down at my dress shoes and dangling my feet from the pew while the sermon went on and on. Suddenly, the Priest's voice rose and got very loud as he finished. "Remember this!" he said as I raised my head. "If you don't remember anything else I have said. Remember this. You are loved! You are loved unconditionally by a greater love than you can ever imagine! God loves you, now and forever!"

Those words of wisdom found a place deep inside of me. I did find myself remembering them over and over again in my life. As I learned, grew, struggled, and stumbled those words stayed in my heart. They helped me to rise up and try again every time I fell. They helped me to find my own love for God, for myself, and for others. They became a central part of who I am and what I write. The one gift I hope to give all of you is this truth. May you always remember then that "You are loved!" May you always know that "God loves you, now and forever!"

(Author: Joseph)

Quotable Quotes

"If you must be mad, be it not for the things of the world. 

Be mad with the love of God."

~ Ramakrishna ~

He is Right Beside You

"At first, God stands at a distance watching your efforts like the teacher who stands aside while the student writes the answer to his questions.  When you shed your attachment to the material world and turn to doing good, God comes encouragingly near.  He is like the sun god who stands waiting outside the closed door, like a servant who keeps his place.  He does not announce His presence or knock at the door.  He simply waits.  But when the master opens the door even a little, the sun rushes in at once and drives out the darkness.  When you ask God for help, He is right beside you with hands held out to help you.  All you need is the discrimination to pray to God, the wisdom to remember Him."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(S.S. Feb. 2000)

Divine Wisdom

Position of Vantage

You know that the Garuda bird feeds on snakes. Well, once the Garuda bird went to Kailasa Mount to pay respects to Siva,who wears snakes on His head, arms, wrists, neck, waist and ankles. When the snakes saw Garuda, they were unafraid; they even dared to put out their forked tongues at Garuda and challenged to come near him.

That was the extent of the courage lent to them by the place where they had established themselves.  So, establish yourselves in the Atma; no worry or grief or pride can harm you then.

(Chinna Katha from the Divine Discourses of Sri Sathya Sai Baba)