Sri Chinmoy extracts, part 2

"How is it that man does not know himself, something which ought to be the easiest of all endeavours? He does not know himself precisely because he identifies himself with the ego and not his real self."

"Faith is a transforming experience and not just an idea. The role of faith is of paramount importance in a seekers' life. Faith tells the aspirant not only what God is, but also what God can do for him at every moment."

"One can see God only when one cries for Him."

"Today's goal is tomorrow's starting point."

'God is perfect Perfection. This Perfection can be achieved only when there is inseparable union between matter and spirit, between the outer and the inner life."

"There are two kinds of silence - one silence is dynamic; the other is static. Dynamic silence or outer silence is found in action, service and dedication, which is manifestation. Static silence or inner silence is found in deep meditation and prayer, which is preparation. You can know the Will of God, for your dedicated service, only by practicing inner silence first."

"Life is God's transcendental Blessing to His creation. Life is man's experience of wisdom and faith. Faith awakens us to see the Truth. Wisdom helps us to live the Truth. Life is man's conscious attempt to see God face to face."

"I know that God can be seen. I know that God can be felt. I know that God can be realised. I know that each human being, with no exception, will grow into God's transcendental Vision and His Reality absolute."

"A true seeker will say that spirituality is something normal, natural, spontaneous, fertile, clear, luminous, divinely self-conscious, self-affirmative and self-creating."

"Here on earth, in the hustle and bustle of life, we have to practise spirituality. Here on earth we have to realise the highest Truth."

"When the soul's will power is expressed, it is like a huge wave in the sea. Immediately it inundates the entire consciousness. Once the soul's will is expressed, you are bound to feel that your inner consciousness is inundated with divine energy, inner joy, inner delight, inner power and confidence. Everything negative is swept away by the surge of the soul's force."

"God has chosen the conditions under which you are living your present life. It is like a play. The stage is set and the curtain has been raised for you to perform your part and advance along the spiritual path. Your present conditions are the best possible ones for your advancement."

"Spirituality is not hospitality to the others' faith in God. It is the absolute recognition of the others' faith in God as one's own."

"Prayer is the conscious ascent of the human consciousness and meditation is an invitation to the Infinite. When we pray, we go up,up. He who is meditating feels the need of bringing Consciousness right into his being. Either we reach up to God or He comes down to us, ultimately it is the same."

"Life is evolution. Evolution is the unfoldment from within. Each life is a world in itself. Indeed, each is a microcosm. Whatever breathes in the vast universe also breathes in each individual life."

"A spiritual person has found his work. His work is selfless service. His work is dedicated action. Indeed, he has no need of any other blessedness. His action is the divine acceptance of earthly existence. For this he needs a sound body, a strong mind, a soulful heart and a supremely inspired life of inner receptivity and outer capacity."

"At the beginning of our spiritual journey, we feel that meditation is self-effort. At the end of our journey's close we realise that meditation is God's Grace, His Compassion infinite."

"You are the soul, which is unlimited. Your soul is infinitely powerful. Your soul defies all time and space. It is your soul that represents the natural state of consciousness."

"We must endeavour to uncover within ourselves the deepest depth of emotion so that we can become the widest channels for the divine expression of Beauty, Joy, Power and Truth."

continued...