Spiritual wisdom, an ancient beacon of insight and inner peace, remains a guiding light in our modern age, characterized by rapid technological advancement and often overwhelming complexity. This timeless knowledge, rooted in the contemplative practices of diverse traditions, offers a sanctuary for the soul amidst the relentless pace of contemporary life.
The essence of spiritual wisdom lies in its universal principles: interconnectedness, compassion, and the pursuit of a deeper understanding of life’s purpose. It encourages the cultivation of virtues such as empathy, patience, and mindfulness, fostering a sense of balance and equanimity. These qualities are crucial in navigating the social and environmental challenges that define our era.
In a society marked by division and distraction, the relevance of spiritual wisdom cannot be overstated. It serves as a counterbalance to the materialistic and competitive narratives that dominate our cultural landscape. By embracing the introspective journey that spiritual wisdom advocates, individuals can transcend superficial desires and foster a sense of fulfillment that is not contingent on external factors.
Moreover, spiritual wisdom promotes the idea of a shared human experience, dissolving barriers and inspiring collective action towards global harmony. In the face of issues like climate change, inequality, and social injustice, such a perspective is vital for crafting solutions that honor the dignity of all beings.
The pursuit of spiritual wisdom is an invitation to examine our values and motivations, challenging us to live with intention and integrity. It beckons us to look beyond the immediate gratification of the senses and to seek out the profound joy that arises from a life aligned with compassionate awareness. As we confront the uncertainties of the future, the ancient yet ever-new insights of spiritual wisdom offer a compass for the heart and mind, guiding us towards a more enlightened and benevolent world.
Adyashanti says : “Our illusions—the beliefs we hold on to—are the very doorways to our freedom. We simply have to enter through them without grasping or pushing away. We must not believe them, but we must not run away from them either. We need to see each moment of apparent bondage as an invitation to freedom. Then it becomes an act of love, an act of compassion, to stop running away.”
Adyashanti says : “To be here, all you have to do is let go of who you think you are. That’s all! And then you realize, “I’m here.” Here is where thoughts aren’t believed. Every time you come here, you are nothing. Radiantly nothing. Absolutely and eternally zero. Emptiness that is awake. Emptiness that is full. Emptiness that is everything.”
Alan Watts says : “Every one of us is an aperture through which the whole cosmos looks out…What you are basically deep deep down, far far in, is simply the fabric and structure of existence itself and when you find that out you laugh yourself silly.”
Amma says : “A man was out walking when his foot was pricked by a thorn. After that he stepped forward very carefully and thus avoided falling into a deep pit nearby. If the thorn hadn’t pricked him, he wouldn’t have paid as much attention and would have fallen into the pit. So a small amount of suffering can save us from great danger. Those who go forward with perfect attention will transcend all suffering and attain everlasting bliss. Those who know the Infinite, those who have realized the Truth, do not suffer, they experience only bliss. Suffering comes when you think you are the body but if you look upon that same body as the vehicle you use to reach eternal bliss, then there is no problem.”
Amma says : “Always keep a positive attitude towards life. Optimism is a great tool to eliminate agony from life.”
Amma says : “Be like the honeybee who gathers only nectar wherever it goes. Seek the goodness that is found in everyone.”
Amma says : “Every night, contemplate “What good did I do today? How can I do better tomorrow?””
Amma says : “Our highest, most important duty in this world is to help our fellow beings.”
Annamalai Swami says : “Watch the thoughts come and go without identifying with them in any way. If you can resist the impulse to claim each and every thought as your own, you will come to a startling conclusion: you will discover that you are the consciousness in which the thoughts appear and disappear. You will discover that this thing called mind only exists when thoughts are allowed to run free.”
Barry Gottlieb says : “Your mind is like a garden. If you plant seeds of love, compassion, truth and integrity, then you reap the rewards. If you choose not to plant anything, then weeds will overrun your garden; the weeds of hate, anger, negative thoughts and actions.”
Bernice Johnson Reagon says : “Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.”
Bill Harris says : “Love is much more fundamental than any kind of thinking or believing. It is the root and basis of who you are, at the most fundamental level. This means that anything other than love as an expression of your being is artificial and unnatural and is a result of not knowing who you are.”
Caroline Myss says : “Being of service is not an option, it is a biological necessity. Every kind of action we do for someone is a reanimation of our own life force – and of the other person’s.”
Dalai Lama says : “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.”
Dalai Lama says : “The practice of patience guards us against losing our presence of mind. It enables us to remain undisturbed, even when the situation is really difficult. It gives us a certain amount of inner peace, which allows us some self-control, so that we can choose to respond to situations in an appropriate and compassionate manner, rather than being driven by our disturbing emotions.”
Dalai Lama says : “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But when you listen, you may learn something new.”
Dan Millman says : “Wake up! If you knew for certain you had a terminal illness-if you had a little time left to live-you would waste precious little of it! Well, I’m telling you… you do have a terminal illness: It’s called birth. You don’t have more than a few years left. No one does! So be happy now, without reason-or you will never be at all.”
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche says : “If we allow our thoughts to arise and dissolve by themselves, they will pass through our mind as a bird flies through the sky, without leaving a trace.”
Dodinsky says : “People who uplift you are the best kind of people. You don’t simply keep them. You have to treasure them.”
Don Miguel Ruiz says : “Death is not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive – the risk to be alive and express what we really are.”
Dr. Wayne Dyer says : “Conflict cannot survive without your participation.”
Dr. Wayne W. Dyer says : “I refuse to use my precious present moments in any way that takes me away from the Divine love from which I originated.”
Eckhart Tolle says : “We can remain in a state of love when we recognize that everyone is doing the best they can to get their needs met.”
Eknath Easwaran says : “When you discover that everyone is contained in you and you are contained in everyone, you have realized the unity of life, which is the divine ground of existence. Then you are not just a person; you have become a beneficial force. Wherever you go, wherever you live, those around you will benefit from your life.
The life of such a person, such as Mahatma Gandhi in our own times, becomes a permanent, selfless force on this earth, because even after death his influence continues to bring people together, to make them aware of their trusteeship for the resources of the earth and for all creatures. Gandhi is still alive because he is still at work as a real force, advancing peace, good will, and unity.
Even one unassuming man or woman leading a selfless life, though he or she may live only a few years on earth, enriches all life for all time to come. Even if one person in a community is leading a selfless life, he will make his contribution, and she will slowly inspire others to make the same contribution, because human nature responds to such an example.”
Isabel Bauche says : “I choose… to live by choice, not by chance; to make changes, not excuses; to be motivated, not manipulated; to be useful, not used; to excel, not compete. I choose self-esteem, not self pity. I choose to listen to my inner voice, not the random opinion of others.”
Joel Osteen says : “No matter what happens in life, big or small, if you will learn to let it go and move forward, then your past doesn’t have to poison your future.”
Krishna Das says : “My path is to be in the living Presence; We have to find a way inside us, we have to find a way to open our hearts, to quiet our minds, to let go our fears and our selfishness, our guilt and our anger and jealousy; Everything is already present in our own hearts; By repeating these Names over and over, we are moving ourselves into that place in us; the Heart in us is deeper than any emotion or psychological issues; I don’t know if there is God, I know there is Love – Unconditional Love and I know I like to be in that love, and that maybe God; all you have to do is look, and chanting reminds us to look.”
Lama Surya Das says : “Look deeply. Take care, stay aware. It is the amount and quality of attention you bring to bear here and now that counts.”
Louise Hay says : “We can think happy thoughts. We can think positive thoughts. We can say, “Yes, I can do it!” We can think thoughts that make us feel joyous. We can learn to think only about all the good in the world. We can lift our thoughts up. We can greet the day with a smile. We can let the world know that we’re happy to be alive. We can express gratitude at every turn. We can love our bodies. We can be our best friend. By our actions, we’ll be an example for our children. Just by watching us, they’ll learn how to create a happy and fulfilling life.”
Lucy Maud Montgomery says : “Some people go through life trying to find out what the world holds for them only to find out too late that it’s what they bring to the world that really counts.”
