The present moment is indeed a ‘present’ from the Divine… Life as it is happening now, learn to appreciate it, rejoice in it.
Learn to make the whole world your own. No one is a stranger, my child; this whole world is your own.
Mankind is a great, immense family… This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas.
Those who read books cannot understand the teachings and, what’s more, may even go astray. But those who try to observe the things going on in the mind, and always take that which is true in their own minds as their standard; never get muddled.
The soul that is attached to anything, however much good there may be in it, will not arrive at the liberty of Divine union. For whether it be a strong wire rope or a slender and delicate thread that holds the bird, it matters not, if it really holds it fast; for until the cord be broken, the bird cannot fly.
Fasting in the monastic community is considered an ascetic practice, a “dhutanga” practice. Dhutanga means “to shake up” or “invigoration”. The Buddha, as is well known, emphasized moderation, the Middle Way that avoids extremes, in all things. Fasting is an additional method that one can take up, with supervision, for a time.
To exercise forgiveness is a great act. Forgiveness is equal to ablutions at all places of pilgrimage. Forgiveness ensures your salvation. There is no virtue equal to forgiveness.
A fasting person is in a state of worship even if asleep in bed. Every breath he takes while asleep is ‘tasbih’, and his sleep itself is worship.
One’s inner light alone is the means, naught else. When this inner light is kept alive, it is not affected by the darkness of inertia.
