- A God Shorn of Worship, and Still the All
Due to their mystical nature and intense philosophical bent that does away with all ritual and completely embraces principles of One Brahman and the inner Atman (Self), the Upanishads have a universal feel that has led to their explication in numerous manners, giving birth to the three schools of Vedanta. Upanishad is a Sanskrit term broken in three: upa- (near), ni- (down), sad- (to sit). It means to sit near the guru. The term thus emphasizes the esoteric nature of the texts, not intended for public teaching, but restricted to the confidentiality of personal instruction. - Lapis Lazuli - Transmutation of Tragic Defeat into Tragic Joy
W. B. Yeats' poem, Lapis Lazuli has for its themes the recurring rise and fall of civilizations, the impending end of our civilization, and the triumph of art and philosophy over the tragedy of events.The opening stanza focuses on modern times. Even worse than the impending destruction are those hysterical women who reject painting, music and poetry, all "gay" art, in favour of politics. These arts are called gay since they have the power of transfiguring tragedy into tragic joy. The hysterical women are tired of the artist's gaiety because they prefer action to contemplation, politics to art. - When the Mind Stops, Time Stands Still
In the case of an average person, in whom the mind is constantly active, desires and thoughts pour out without a stop, the time between two thoughts is very small, very very small. For those who are not so often assailed by desires, the thought traffic being less, kshana is extended. In the case of an enlightened being, who is in a state of no-mind, in whom there are no thoughts, kshana is infinite. - Unless You Have Passion, You Cannot Have Compassion
Passion is the energy without which nothing can be achieved. Pursuing one's passion therefore is the only way, the driving force. But it has to be given a conscious direction, so that it frees you from the throes of attachment. How many times we have known that our passionate attachments have led to unhappiness. So this kind of passion is of the negative kind, which one has to be able to differentiate. This is what we call soul-searching, meditation, Dhyana, call it by any name - focusing on the aspect which identifies oneself to be responsible for our misery. - Can We Be A Hero Despite Our Worldly Failure?
A company of a grammarian's pupils are bearing their master's coffin for burial at the summit of a mountain. One of them tells his story and dilates on the praises of the departed scholar. They cannot fittingly bury their master on the plain with the common folk. He shall rest on a peak whose height excels the rest. - True Seekers Can Never Never be Serious Perfectionists!
I somehow find serious people often have their hearts almost closed to humour and are, therefore, in a way, quite pitiable. Once, during the course of a discussion about how some people have this repelling quality about their very presence, I quoted a witty remark from someone I had heard or picked up, and in line with the topic of the discussion saying, "Yes sir, there are people who cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." - Let Us Break the Barriers of Our Small little Worlds
I am a Hindu. I am sitting in my own little well, and thinking that the world is my well, and croak, "Turn him out." The Christian sits in his little well and the world is his well. "Turn him out." The Mohammedan sits in his well and thinks the world like that. "Turn him out." - A Temple of Faith Constructed with the Material of Doubt
The French philosopher Rene Descartes' search for an oasis of faith through the desert of doubt began with Cogito, ergo sum. I think therefore I am. "My very doubt proves my existence". Otherwise who will be the doubter? Doubt, in itself cannot exist.And so skepticism leads to one certainty. I am. - Simon Lee, the Old Huntsman
Gratitude is a capacity that is at the heart of what is naturally human and humane. Cold rationalism would not find room for such a humble (however profound) emotion. - Withdrawal from the Outer is Necessary to Enter into the Inner
The white robe ("habit") that symbolizes perfection, but also to the dedicated disciplined pursuit of perfection by renouncing and transcending the sensuous pleasures. - Rousing Pity and Fear to Effect Purgation of Our Emotions
Tess is cast in the role of a fallen woman, and yet Hardy regards her as "pure". He holds her only physically, but not morally, tarnished. She kills Alec under the impulse to return to Angel, her husband and only lover. - Can Destiny be Recast by Intelligence?
"As a blazing fire turns firewood to ashes, O Arjuna, so does the fire of knowledge burn to ashes all reactions to material activities". - Pleasures of Inactivity
In these days of wanton materialistic atrophying, man has stopped listening. Somewhere, far away, our friends and relatives were humming and bustling, planning, disputing, getting, spending; but we were as gods, solidly occupied in doing nothing. - Satyagraha (Yearning for Truth) - The Principle Operating Behind Nature and Creation
It may appear paradoxical that consciously or unconsciously, in ninety-nine of our thousand acts, the governing principle is that of love. Even in the regulation of relations, we are bound to apply the propelling power of Satyagraha (a Truth Desire). - The Jarring Note in the World's Beautiful Melody
It is true that man is doomed to destruction if his relationship with Nature is one of struggle. He will never be able to use the language of conquering, because science can at no point of time claim that now there is nothing more to be conquered - The Forgotten Language of Ecstasy
If you can be more vulnerable, not prejudiced, not decisive, and let only experience be decisive, then prejudices will not become a screen and will allow you to see that which is. - Learning To Ignore - Why Is It So Necessary
Yes, fools do, and can, floor you with their sheer stupidity. - A Few Words on Philosophizing!
The journey is unknown; the journey is so unknown that you cannot even plan it.
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