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The purpose of life is to become aware of the deceptive causes of happiness which the world tries to convince us since our birth, and realize the true causes of happiness. In other words, to see the everything as it really is and not just at the surface. To see reality as it truly is.
— Kriya Yoga Malaysia
Every experience especially those learnt in our early years are like programs planted in the self. Our “decisions” are based on these programs.
But the self is only a small part of what we truly are. It is described as dust covering a crystal ball. The crystal ball being the True Self.
Meditation enabled us to watch these programs and question them in the light of wisdom…without judgment or guilt.
— Kriya Yoga Malaysia
Despite our best efforts, our mind wanders around aimlessly when we meditate. This is an obvious hint to the seeker that he is not his mind and body. How can he be his mind if he does not have control over it? He cannot Will it to be silent.
So ask, WHO AM I?
— Kriya Yoga Malaysia
Buddha means an enlightened person; a person who clearly sees the world as it is without delusion at all. Therefore, it is said that all of us has the Buddha nature as day by day, we are removing delusions and confusions from our mind.
— Kriya Yoga Malaysia
Many are manipulated in the name of religion because the beliefs imposed by religion cannot be challenged or verified.
Those who cling to their beliefs want to hear what they already believe, and if you say things that are consistent with their beliefs, they will think you wise.
In Kriya Yoga, Babaji is not asking you to believe but to look within and see the Divine. This is very difficult because we are trying to get our illusory self to see that it is not as important as we think, but merely a speck of dust on the Divinity that we truly are.
The Divine Self silently watches over the illusory self while it learns.
Why don’t Babaji appear to all of us to give us encouragement? Babaji appearing to us could make us cling tighter to the Illusory Self, and thus become a hindrance to our spiritual progress.
— Kriya Yoga Malaysia
When we talk about karma, the bulk of it arise from our reactions. A person who gives in to his angry thoughts will suffer the consequences of anger and hatred.
We say that the other person made us angry but do not acknowledge that we ourselves very often look for opportunities to get angry. THE MIND CRAVES STIMULATION.
The same can be said for all other negative emotions and thoughts – jealousy, hatred, guilt, pride etc.
— Kriya Yoga Malaysia
Generally, it is taken for granted that every devotee wants to see God. But, really speaking, it is not so. Most of the devotees hanker after miraculous power. They divert the mind of the devotee from God to the miracle. Hence, truly speaking, they are the real hindrances to achieving Self-Realization or full Self-Control.
— Brahmachari Animananda Dharmacharya
This process of visualization during pranayama is critical because where the mind goes, the prana follows—the mind and the breath are interconnected, just as breath and prana are. If the mind wanders, the prana dissipates.
— Kriya Yoga Malaysia
Just as a dynamo [power plant] spreads electricity in all the lights of the city, so the God-contacting devotee’s spirit is spread to all those who are in tune with him. That is what I meant in the sentence, “I am always with you in Spirit.” Those devotees who are in tune with their guru through unconditional devotion, obedience, and loyalty feel the constant flow of their teacher’s blessings.
— Paramhansa Yogananda
Have a happy state of mind, a state that is untouched by the events of life.
— Paramhansa Yogananda
Do not become attached to the things you like; do not maintain an aversion to the things you dislike. Sorrow, fear and bondage come from likes and dislikes.
— Buddha
Beginners on the spiritual path, especially, should be very careful in the company they keep. They should mix with other devotees, and try not to mingle with ego-saturated, worldly people. They should especially avoid people who are negative, even if those people are devotees.
— Paramhansa Yogananda
Real activity is combined with calmness which can’t be ruffled. It is a balance of mind which is never disturbed, whatever happens. Only when the mind is calm and collected is the whole of its energy spent in doing good work.
— Swami Vivekananda
The “awakened” person is recognized by particular signs. First of all is liberty; he does not allow himself to be tossed about by the vicissitudes of life, by fear, joy, anxiety, success, or failure. Then there is the spiritual force that reveals itself in calmness, an ineffable smile, and deep serenity.
— Thich Nhat Hanh
Calm silence, sincerity, and courteous words, whether one is agreeing or disagreeing with others, mark the person who knows how to behave.
— Paramhansa Yogananda
Seclusion is the price of greatness.
— Paramhansa Yogananda
While meditating, don’t concentrate on the results of meditation. Meditate, rather to please God. If you seek results, you will be disappointed if they don’t come. Meditate without attachment to the fruits of meditation.
— Paramhansa Yogananda
Surrender and all will be well. Throw all responsibility on God. Do not bear the burden…If one surrenders to God, there will be no cause for anxiety. Nothing will affect you…God never forsakes one who has surrendered.
— Ramana Maharshi
When surrender is complete, everything is God. Everything that happens is then His action. In that state there is peace, harmony and an absence of thoughts.
— Annamalai Swami
If you attach yourself to gross energies – loving this person, hating that clan, rejecting one experience or habitually indulging in another – then you will lead a series of heavy, attached lives. This can go on for a very long and tedious time.
— Lao-tzu
Be content with what you have. Rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
— LAO TZU
To perceive the world differently, we must be willing to change our belief system, let the past slip away, expand our sense of now, and dissolve the fear in our minds.
— Gerald G. Jampolsky
(We have held some beliefs for so long that they become part of our ego. We get angry when someone else challenges them. Unless we are open enough for our beliefs to be challenged, how are we to really know if they are worth our conviction?)
Happiness doesn’t just fall in your lap. It’s also not about waking up one day and deciding to be happy, but framing situations with positivity and assurance that if your plans go south, there’s a reason. In other words, happiness doesn’t depend on what happens but on how you perceive what happens.
— Theresa Caputo, the Long Island Medium
When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot become manifest, strength cannot be exerted, wealth is useless, and reason is powerless.
— Herophilus, ancient Greek physician
Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future. The past is closed and limited; the future is open and free.
— Deepak Chopra
(We cannot choose what happens to us but we can choose how we react to them. How we react is a reflection of our Wisdom).
To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest.
— Pema Chödrön, Tibetan Buddhist Nun
(This reminds us that the moments we feel the most off balance are also often the moments in which we experience the most growth)
Today we live in a Culture of More instead of our old Culture of Enough.
— Neil Pasricha, author of the Happiness Equation
It always seems impossible until it’s done.
— Nelson Mandela
(In sports, there is always a psychological time barrier until someone breaks it. After that, everyone starts to overcome that barrier as well. The first person who breaks that barrier is the first person who thinks that the barrier is not impossible)
If you have fear, then it means you are not living in the moment. You are either stuck in the past or worrying about the future. It is important to not think and just do! Follow your heart and fear does not exist.
— Garrett McNamara, big-wave surfer and eight-time Guinness World Record holder for the largest wave ever surfed
(I once asked a forest monk how he can roam the forest without fear of the dangers therein. He told me that as long as he maintains his awareness, he is able to control his mind and thus, overcome his fear)
You have two choices: to control your mind or to let your mind control you.
— Paulo Coelho
(We are being controlled by our mind when we react to external events based on our habitual tendencies. We control our mind by choosing the best alternative based on wisdom when facing external circumstances)
The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.
— Steve Maraboli
(Realize that the SITUATION IS OVER)
Forgiveness is a reflection of loving yourself enough to move on.
— Steve Maraboli
(One who is unable to forgive continues to suffer from the anger and hatred arising from something that has passed. That anger and hatred continue to hurt him and those around him. The only way to let go of that anger and hatred is to forgive. Doing so, he is actually helping himself)
Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them – every day begin the task anew.
– Saint Francis de Sales
True story , Word of Honor: The late Joseph Heller, an important and funny writer now dead, and I were at a party given by a billionaire on Shelter Island.
I said, “Joe, how does it make you feel to know that our host only yesterday may have made more money than your novel ‘Catch – 22’ has earned in its entire history?”
And Joe said, “I’ve got something he can never have.”
And I said, “What on earth could that be, Joe?”
And Joe said, “The knowledge that I’ve got enough.”
Not bad! Rest in peace!
– Kurt Vonnegut, famous writer of classics
The Buddha put a lot of emphasis in his teachings on how the human life is filled with suffering. Some may find it distasteful. However, at One’s death bed, these teachings will bring peace and enable one to let go of life with anticipation instead of fear. One will see death as finally being released from a long prison sentence.
Tibetan Buddhist Masters teach that the state of mind during death will determine One’s next rebirth. The more peaceful One’s state of mind is, the better the next rebirth will be.
— Kriya Yoga Malaysia
Prepare yourself for the coming astral journey of death by daily riding in the balloon of God− perception. Through delusion you are perceiving yourself as a bundle of flesh and bones, which at best is a nest of troubles. Meditate unceasingly, that you may quickly behold yourself as the Infinite Essence, free from every form of misery. Cease being a prisoner of the body; using the secret key of KRIYA, learn to escape into Spirit.
— Lahiri Mahasaya
Even if death were to fall upon you today like lightning, you must be ready to die without sadness and regret, without any residue of clinging for what is left behind. Remaining in the recognition of the absolute view, you should leave this life like an eagle soaring up into the blue sky.
— Dilgo Rinpoche
We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is awaiting us…The old skin has to be shed before the new one is to come.
— Joseph Campbell
None of us can control our emotions. We can only control our reactions to our emotions.
— Neil Pasricha, author of the Happiness Equation
You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.
— The Buddha
(We should seriously contemplate the meaning of the above quote and how it applies to us. Are we able to forgive ourselves and let go of guilt? Do we talk to ourselves with love and kindness? Do we place unreasonable expectations on ourselves?)
Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.
— Kurt Vonnegut
The point is not to pay back kindness but to pass it on.
— Julia Alvarez
We scientists have found that doing a kindness produces the single most reliable momentary increase in well-being of any exercise we have tested.
— Professor Martin Seligman
If you become angry with me and I do not get insulted, then the anger falls back on you. You are then the only one who becomes unhappy. All you have done is hurt yourself. If you want to stop hurting yourself, you must get rid of your anger and become loving instead.
— The Buddha
(From The Happiness Equation by Neil Pasricha)
I have had incredible experiences speaking about leadership to hundreds of thousands of people around the world, eating dinner with royal families in the Middle East, sharing stages with Harvard deans, and consulting on leadership to organizations like Audi, Via com, and GE . I have worked as Director of Leadership Development at Walmart, interviewed billionaires, and worked directly for two CEOs at the world’s largest company. But after years successfully helping people lead teams, lead businesses, and lead organizations, something slowly dawned on me. Hardly anyone was happy!
— Neil Pasricha, author of the international best seller, The Happiness Equation
Recipe for Happiness:-
(1) Regular Exercise and Healthy Diet
(2) Alone time and meditation
(3) Random act of kindness
(4) Gratitude for what life has provided
(5) Keen observation of the world so that we are able to see pass our conditionings or illusions, and understand what truly brings happiness
— Kriya Yoga Malaysia
If you can be happy with simple things, then it will be simple to be happy.
— Neil Pasricha
If we set aside time each day to be in a peaceful environment, to walk in nature, or even just to look at a flower or the sky, then that beauty will penetrate us and feed our love and our joy.
— Thích Nhất Hạnh
Think harder and more specifically, and you’ll see that God has given you small, personalized gifts and blessings that are easy to overlook and take for granted. This might include having an organic juice bar in town that keeps your blood sugar up or a bank manager who gives your child lollipops and makes you feel like part of a community.
— Theresa Caputo, the Long Island Medium
Blessings are exceptional and often surprising gifts from God that brighten your mood and add to your well-being. They’re amazing moments that can affect you in insightful ways. A blessing always brightens your day, can change your point of view, and can validate or renew your faith in Spirit and the afterlife. And even when blessings seem minor in the grand scheme of things, they always resonate with your soul. Whether immediately or in looking back, blessings feel significant because they cause you to realize the guidance of a higher power.
– Theresa Caputo, the Long Island Medium
Writing for twenty minutes about a positive experience dramatically improves happiness. Why? Because you actually relive the experience as you’re writing it and then relive it every time you read it.
— The Happiness Equation by Neil Pasricha
At least once a week, recall 10 aspects of your life which you are thankful for.
— Kriya Yoga Malaysia
Every negative belief weakens the partnership between mind and body.
— Deepak Chopra
The more we see health as a practice rather than as a problem to fix, the more we encourage the body’s natural potential to be healthy.
— Aarti Patel, author
Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos — the trees, the clouds, everything.
— Thích Nhất Hạnh
The American Psychosomatic Society published a study showing how Michael Babyak and a team of doctors found that three thirty – minute brisk walks or jogs even improve recovery from clinical depression. Yes, clinical depression. Results were stronger than studies using medication or studies using exercise and medication combined.
— The Happiness Equation by Neil Pasricha
Life is difficult but we can choose to make the lives of others easier. In doing so, we make our own lives smoother.
— Kriya Yoga Malaysia
Defeat is a state of mind; no one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as a reality. To me, defeat in anything is merely temporary, and its punishment is but an urge for me to greater effort to achieve my goals.
— Bruce Lee
(Setbacks often turn out to be blessings leading One towards One’s true purpose)
You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call “failure” is not the falling down, but the staying down.
— Mary Pickford, actress
(The inability to “let go” of our past failures is like carrying a heavy load which every failure adds to. Instead of carrying the burden around, see them as learning opportunities which added to our Wisdom; then put down the load and move on)
Courage is very important. Like a muscle, it is strengthened by use.
The more we do, the less frightening they’ll be, and the more we can grow.
— Ruth Gordon
One of the first proofs of self-mastery is when one shows that he can be kind and forbearing and genial with companions of the most dissimilar characters and temperaments. And one of the strongest signs of retrogression is when one shows that he expects others to like what he likes and act as he acts.
— Damodar
The role of the external Guru is to lead us to our Inner Guru. Once that is achieved, we must confidently continue on our journey independently.
— Kriya Yoga Malaysia
You can’t cheat an honest man; and an honest man admits his own shortcomings.
— Kriya Yoga Malaysia
It is easy to work hard but difficult to work smart. We must always look for ways to make our work easier for ourselves and others.
— Kriya Yoga Malaysia
You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.
— Timber Hawkeye, author
(When faced with a problem, first calm your mind through meditation. The best solution will come to you intuitively)
Spirit is mostly compassionate toward those who blame themselves for their misfortunes (including the death of a loved one). Maybe this is because people who carry blame for hard or confusing situations tend to do so when they struggle with faith, and Spirit sees no need to add insult to injury here. They know that it’s difficult to accept that there’s a reason for most tragic events. You also might wonder if you’re responsible for the situation, especially when there seems to be no logical reason for what occurred.
— Theresa Caputo, the Long Island Medium
I love that we get a new day… A new opportunity to move our lives in a positive direction… Let’s be unencumbered by yesterday’s nonsense… a fresh start… Take a deep breath, smile, and start again.
― Steve Maraboli, author
We all have come to know people that we perceive to be wise, but they are wise because of the things they do, not simply by what they say. While a wise man may share ideas, they will only be accepted if he, himself, is known as one who acts upon them in his daily life.
― Jim Stoval, author and motivational speaker
Pain nourishes courage. You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you.
— Mary Tyler Moore
(We build muscles by carrying weights. Similarly, we build wisdom by overcoming challenges. View challenges as the opportunity to gain wisdom)
Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us.
— Stephen Covey
(When we react to external circumstances habitually without thought, we are manifesting our karma. Our habitual tendencies are part of our karma. Alternatively, if we take a moment to challenge our habitual reactive patterns, and couple our actions with wisdom, we will gain mastery over our Karma)
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company …. a church …. a home …. a friendship. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past … we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one we have and that is our attitude … I am convinced that life is 10% what happens and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you … We are in charge of our Attitudes.
— Charles Swindoll
Always remember: Silence and smile are two very powerful tools.
— Paulo Coelho
When you get to my age, you’ll really measure your success in life by how many of the people you want to have love you actually do love you. I know people who have a lot of money, and they get testimonial dinners and they get hospital wings named after them. But the truth is that nobody in the world loves them. If you get to my age in life and nobody thinks well of you, I don’t care how big your bank account is, your life is a disaster.
— Warren Buffett
Quotes from Bob Ross:
1) We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.
2) Talent is a pursued interest. Anything you’re willing to practice, you can do.
3) There’s nothing in the world that breeds success like success.
4) I guess I’m a little weird. I like to talk to trees and animals. That’s okay though; I have more fun than most people.
5) Water’s like me. It’s lazy. Boy, it always looks for the easiest way to do things.
6) Be so very light. Be a gentle whisper.
7) It’s so important to do something every day that will make you happy.
We don’t really know where this goes — and I’m not sure we really care.
What good is warmth without cold to give it sweetness? You only truly, deeply appreciate and are grateful for something when you compare and contrast it to something worse.
– John Steinbeck
(John Steinbeck’s struggles, including living through the Great Depression, gave him a greater appreciation for the good times he enjoyed)
In 1901, a Minnesota newspaper reported that President Theodore Roosevelt wanted his warships on the move, and that they would rust and rot if left in the harbour. Twenty-seven years later, a professor by the name of John A. Shedd solidified Roosevelt’s sentiment into a pithy, memorable quote to share with the world, reminding us that great experiences are sometimes found over the horizon. Just as ships are meant to sail the seas, so too are we meant to explore new ideas and experiences. It can take courage to leave life’s safe harbours, but the reward for such bravery is a life well-lived.
The capacity to witness what is happening inside us with a non-judging attention allows us to respond to life from our full intelligence and heart.
— Tara Brach, psychologist and Buddhist teacher
Do not pray for an easy life; pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.
— Bruce Lee
In astrology, there are good years and tough years. Look at them like exercise. In the good years, we are taking a rest. In the tough years, we are exercising and making ourselves stronger. So, there are really no good or bad years. We don’t want to rest too much and become flabby
— Kriya Yoga Malaysia
The cries of many bewildered worldly men and women have not fallen unheard on the ears of the Great Ones. You have been chosen to bring spiritual solace through KRIYA YOGA to numerous earnest seekers. The millions who are encumbered by family ties and heavy worldly duties will take new heart from you, a householder like themselves. You must guide them to see that the highest yogic attainments are not barred to the family man. Even in the world, the yogi who faithfully discharges his responsibilities, without personal motive or attachment, treads the sure path of enlightenment.
— Babaji said to Lahiri Mahasaya
For the faults of the many, judge not the whole. Everything on earth is of mixed character, like a mingling of sand and sugar. Be like the wise ant which seizes only the sugar, and leaves the sand untouched. Though many sadhus here still wander indelusion, yet the MELA is blessed by a few men of God−realization.
— Babaji’s advice to Shri Yukteswar when the latter commented that saints don’t seem to belong to the commotion of the Khumbha Mela.
Evil is that which produces misery; good is those actions which result in true happiness. Evil may be compared to poisoned honey, tempting but laden with death.
— Paramhansa Yogananda
I was instructed by my master not to drink from or bathe in the water of the Ganges with any idea that by doing so my sins would be washed off. He taught me the philosophy of karma and said, “One has to reap the fruits of his karma. The law of karma is inevitable and is accepted by all the great philosophies of the world: ‘As you sow, so shall you reap.’ Learn to perform your duties skillfully without aversion or attachment, and do not believe that anything can wash off your bad karma. Taking a bath in a river and making pilgrimages from one shrine to another will not free you from the bondage of karma. Such belief is only superstition and has no logic.”
— Swami Rama, Living with the Himalayan Masters
I went to my master and said, “Sir, show me that God who can free us of miseries, and who can give us happiness.”
He said, “That is a state of equilibrium and tranquillity which you must cultivate for yourself.”
— Swami Rama, Living with the Himalayan Masters
Death is not painful, but fear of death is very painful. One’s mantra is a powerful support and guide which leads the dying person peacefully through that unknown period of darkness. Mantra then becomes a torch-bearer when one goes through the corridor that exists between death and birth. Constantly being aware of the mantra with complete faith is one of the surest methods.
— Swami Rama
You’ll never meet a bad guru if you are a good student. But the reverse is also true: if you are a bad student, you won’t meet a good guru.
— Swami Rama
The law of karma is applicable to all equally. Our past samskaras are deeply rooted in the unconscious. These latent samskaras, or impressions, create various bubbles of thoughts and express themselves through our speech and actions. It is possible for the aspirant to get freedom from these samskaras. These memories have a stronghold in the bed of our samskaras. Those who can burn these samskaras in the fire of non-attachment or knowledge are free from the bondage created by them. It is like a burnt rope, which loses its binding power though it still looks like a rope.
— Swami Rama
Beginners often argue and boast about the superiority of their way, but one who has trodden the path knows that all paths lead to the same destination. There is no superior or inferior path. It is immaterial which path one follows, but one should carefully watch one’s own modifications of mind and learn not to identify with them.
— Anandamayi Ma
Cannot meditate? No problem. Here is a daily practice you can try:-
– Maintain a healthy diet
– Exercise
– Allocate some alone time
– Laugh (I am sure you can recall something funny)
– Do one kind deed like letting another car pass or holding a door for a stranger
– Recall a spiritual teaching and contemplate how it can be applied to your life
— Kriya Yoga Malaysia
Just as parents works hard to care for their children, Kriya Yogis work to cleanse their karma to reduce the baggage that is carried over to their next rebirths.
— Kriya Yoga Malaysia
The scariest moment is always just before you start.
— Stephen King
(Oftentimes, everything seems easier after the first step. If an endeavor seems too big, just break it down into little steps and take one step at a time)
There is always satisfaction in the reflection that, if there were no trials, there would be no victories.
– Anne Sullivan, the “miracle worker” who taught a deaf and blind girl (Helen Keller) to communicate
Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.
— Helen Keller
(Since childhood the world attempts to convince us that wealth and success is the path to happiness because we can then have whatever we want. The wise tells us otherwise. Our desires can never be satisfied but perpetually grows with each gratification. The wealthy are subject to, and many fall into the trap set by the 3 daughters of Mara)
Every day at work, you experience hundreds of tiny joys. They’re easy to overlook. But work exposes us to simple joys every day. When everyone nods at the thing you just said in the meeting. The guy who fixes the photocopier for you. Coming back from lunch to a way better parking spot. When the meeting ends early. A co-worker showing you a keyboard shortcut on your computer. The feeling you get after finishing a big project right at the deadline and knowing you did a great job.
– Neil Pasricha, author of the Happiness Equation
Being strong is never easy. Not in this world we are living in… Standing up for yourself is not going to be easy, but it’s always eventually respected. Those are the people who’ve made a difference in this world, people that stand up for what’s right. If you look at history, those are the people that you really remember.
— Serena Williams
(From a spiritual perspective, the Enlightened Masters are the ones who constantly questions and challenges the beliefs and conditionings imposed on them by society)
I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall. I have fallen several times. Each time I just get up and dust myself off and I pray, and I’m able to do better or I’m able to get back to the level that I want to be on.
— Serena Williams, American tennis player
If I wanted to predict your happiness and I could only know one thing about you, I wouldn’t want to know about your gender, religion, health, or income. I’d want to know about the strength of your relationships with your friends and family.
— Daniel Gilbert, author of ‘Stumbling on Happiness’
The man of virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbours.
— Confucius
(This is especially true for businessman. An honest businessman will never lack long term customers. He can even pass on his business to his children when he retires.
A dishonest one may gain in the short term but will eventually fail)
When a merchant treats his customer well, generally that customer will tell a few close friends of the good experience he has had. But if a merchant treats a customer poorly or cheats him, that customer will tell everyone he knows. We live in a world where bad news travels faster than good news. It takes many years of fair dealing to build a good reputation, but it takes only a few bad trades to gain a poor reputation.
— Jim Stoval, author of the Wisdom of the Ages
When you meet someone better than yourself, turn your thoughts to becoming his equal. When you meet someone not as good as you are, look within and examine your own self.
— Confucius
(Use others as mirrors to understand Oneself. Instead of judging others, look within to see if we also have similar issues. The ability to observe and contemplate are critical skills needed to look beyond delusions and see Reality)
The image is one thing and the human being is another… it’s very hard to live up to an image.
— Elvis Presley
(We have multiple egos or illusory selves – one we portray at work, one at religious occasions, one when we are with our family and so on. Our spiritual practices help us to recognize that we are not these egos which exist only in this lifetime and are temporary in nature)
I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share; it is time to go. I will do it elegantly.
— Einstein
(The most important event our spiritual practices prepare us for us to die peacefully when the time comes)
Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.
- Einstein
(Einstein was referring to politicians. The same applies to spiritual authorities. This does not mean that we should outwardly question the authorities as this may lead to other problems. We just need to expose those claims to our own wisdom in silent contemplation)
Deep grief sometimes is almost like a specific location, a coordinate on a map of time. When you are standing in that forest of sorrow, you cannot imagine that you could ever find your way to a better place. But if someone can assure you that they themselves have stood in that same place, and now have moved on, sometimes this will bring hope.
— Elizabeth Gilbert
(Those who have gone through much suffering often display more wisdom and capacity to help others heal. So, suffering should be faced with the recognition that they come with spiritual growth)
My life is full of mistakes. They’re like pebbles that make a good road.
— Beatrice Wood
Every one of us is losing something precious to us. Lost opportunities, lost possibilities, feelings we can never get back again. That’s part of what it means to be alive.
— Haruki Murakami
(The unwillingness to accept loss as a part of life will add to our suffering unnecessarily. Impermanence is a natural law which applies equally to everyone and everything)
Grief is like the ocean; it comes on waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.
— Vicki Harrison, author
(Instead of praying to God for protection from suffering, it is better to pray for the wisdom to withstand and overcome them).
kriyayogamalaysia 