gems

• Compassion is not the shadow of thought. It is light, neither yours nor mine.
• To be content with little is not spirituality, but to be free from little or from much, is.
• Flattery and insult are born out of ignorance. Receive them both kindly.
• If you begin to understand what you are without trying to change it, then what you are undergoes a radical change.
• Beware of explanations for what can be explained is not truth.
• It is intelligence that brings order, not discipline.
• Seek truth and you shall know the false. Seeing reveals the truth, not seeking.
• Do not think about yourself, but be aware of the thought that makes you think of yourself.
• Experience is the expression of life. In mere accumulation of experience, there is sorrow. In the comprehension of even one experience, there is the bliss of completion.
• It is truth that frees you, not your efforts to be free.
• Observer experiences, observation does not. Quiet consciousness is observation without any obstruction from the observer.

-- Some of the Fifty Jewels of Joyful Comprehension by Shibendu Lahiri
http://www.kriyayogalahiri.com

devotion and detachment

Detachment is a very natural and gradual process. It is not forced, and therefore, it is not painful. Detachment is the by-product of devotion. A detached person may be living in a palace in the midst of luxury, yet not be attached to his wealth. Janak, Dashrath, Dhruv, Prahlad and Ambareesh were kings as well as great devotees of God.

The seeker does not have to practice detachment; he has to practice devotion. Detachment will automatically blossom within. The simple formula is this: the more attachment to God and Guru, the less attachment to the world.

-- Siddheshvari Devi

kids and anger

http://www.sad11.k12.me.us/ht/anger.html

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/familydevelopment/components/6961_05.html

http://www.intractableconflict.org/m/anger.jsp

ego

Ego is the wall between us and God. Many spiritual practices' goal is to remove this wall. Following two are such practices:

• Being grateful and being aware of God's blessings at all times. This helps us realize, everything we have is His and due to His Grace.
• surrendering ourselves to God's will (Hukum). Total surrender is the same as egolessness.

-- Paraphrased from Prof. Darshan Singh's commentary on Sukhmani Sahib (a section of Guru Granth Sahib ji). http://www.ggsacademy.com

everyday, a mystery

If we have realized that our circumstances are not in our control, why don't we face each day with curiosity and see what a mysterious day is planned for us.

Each morning, let's face the day with wonder; let the mystery unfold.

Each event in the day is a consequence of some action we have performed in past, let it be. Let's not react to the events in a way that would produce even worse events in future. Let's face the events with gratefulness, love and humility instead of discontent, worry, anger and pride.

six qualities of sants (God centered souls)

1. He is aware and connected with God at all times

2. Lives in equanimity; lives in sahej avesta; his inner silence is not affected by pain or pleasure. He sees no evil, he hears no evil. She has no worries and no fears.
honor and dishonor of him by others does not leave any impressions in his mind.

3. He has compassion for all including friends and foes. She sees herself in others and understands the pain others are going through. It's her natural reaction to be compassionate.

4. He lives in the world but not affected by it just like the lotus flower. He is not isolated from the world so he can serve others selflessly.

5. He unconditionally shares spiritual knowledge with everyone. He prays for divine wisdom (utam mat) in everyone.

6. She does not enjoy slander (nindaa) of others. Never thinks of himself as higher than others.

- Paraphrased from Gurbani Vichar by Bhai Sahib Bhai Jaspal Singh
http://www.gurbanidarbar.com

july: monthly intention

July Inspiration:
Picture the ripples from a pebble thrown into a lake, they eventually reach the shore on all sides. Your influence ripples out from you to your immediate family to your friends to your community to your country to the planet. And everyone you touch touches others. George Bernard Shaw said, "I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can." This month we invite you to pay attention to the effect you have on your immediate environment, friends, family, and community, pay attention to the ripples that begin with you.

July Question for Reflection:
We each have the opportunity to serve something greater then ourselves; to offer our unique perspective and help our community in some way. Ask yourself what you can do to help your community. There are many levels of participation; even the smallest contribution makes difference. Some ideas: Gather your friends and/or neighbors and spend a few hours cleaning up the local beach or park, bring extra bags to offer to anyone who wants to help; offer your expertise to a local boys or girls club, perhaps you can cook a meal with a group or bring in a picnic to a local shelter, mentor a child, donate money to a local cause that you care about, make a call about fixing that pothole down the street, think creatively and make a difference. This month we ask you, "What can you do to make a difference in your community?"

-- http://www.noetic.org

Love ...

Love all that has been created by God, both the whole and every grain of sand.
Love every leaf and every ray of light.
Love the beasts and the birds, love the plants, love every separate fragment.
If you love each separate fragment, you will understand the mystery of the whole resting in God.

-- Fyodor Dostoevsky

Everyday

since circumstances are not in our control, why don't we welcome each event and find the opportunity of service and learning in it.