Words of Wisdom

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WORDS OF WISDOM

 

by Swami Sivananda

 

One's individual ego, preconceived notions, pet ideas prejudices and

selfish interests should be given up. All these stand in the way of

spiritual progress. Lord's grace begins to work only when you learn

to discipline yourself, subordinate your selfishness and surrender

fully to him.

 

Why dost thou try to find thy God in deities and temples when thou

has kept thy visible gods standing outside, hungry and naked?

Regarding Him as manifest everywhere thou shouldst serve all

creatures with intense bhava if thou wishest to attain the highest

perfection. Indeed, thy love towards the Lord should engender love

for the whole universe ­ for thou must see Him in all.

 

Kindle the light of love in thy heart for love is the immediate way

to the kingdom of God, the vast domain of perennial peace and joy.

Where there is love there is peace. Where there is peace there is

love. Life and death are the two scenes in the drama of life. All is

passing; all is sorrow; all is pain; all is unreal.

 

This world is merely a play of colours and sounds. Hence, O man, seek

the permanent, the all­blissful, the real, which is ever­shining in the

chambers of thy heart, which is self­luminous, infinite, unchanging

and eternal. Moksa (liberation) means nothing but the destruction of

the impurities of the mind. The mind becomes pure when all desires

and fears are annihilated. Lead the divine life. Light the lamp of

divine life everywhere.

 

Thy aim should be to maintain an unshakable sweetness of disposition,

to be pure and gentle and to be happy in all circumstances. To be

always conscious of the divine, always to feel the divine presence,

to live always in the awareness of the supreme being in the chambers

of your heart and everywhere around you is verily to live a life of

fullness and divine perfection, even whilst on earth.

 

This body is a lamp. The heart is the wick. The oil is your love for

the Lord. You can build a temple in your heart by the absence of

anger, by the practice of humility, compassion, forgiveness, faith,

devotion, meditation, prayer and recitation of the Lord's name.

 

(Source: http://sivanandaonline.org/html/ )