Pride is Crushed

And he [Virgil] to me: “Whatever makes them suffer their
heavy torment bends them to the ground;
at first I was unsure of what they were.
But look intently there, and let your eyes
unravel what’s beneath those stones: you can
already see what penalty strikes each.” (Purg. X, 115-120)

On the first terrace, the Prideful are punished by carrying heavy stone weights on their backs that force them to “bend to the ground” in a submissive position so humiliating that Dante does not even recognize them as human at first glance.

Being is the Great Transformer

“…silence and energy, stillness and movement, inaction and the highest transformation, Shakti and Shiva always go together. The highest transformation arises from Being itself.”

Yoga and the Sacred Fire by Dr David Frawley (Pg 221)

Ways

Reaching out and touching your inner being can be either through the power of your mind—feeling, thinking, and directing the entire stream of your concentrated thought towards the inner Self; or it can be through your intellect—reasoning, probing, analyzing, discriminating, reflecting, contemplating; or it can be feeling, going deeper and deeper with intense feeling for Him, with great love, great devotion, great supplication, intense affection; these are the faculties through which you can reach towards the Divine.

Swami Chidananda

Secret Powers and Why We Should Not Use Them

An excellent lecture by Manly P Hall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3WiuG6uTJQ

Quiet

Do not speak to foolish people about the Truth,
just share the Love and Happiness,
because the greatest gift is an empty mind.
But even if you do not speak
your Silence will reach the whole planet
as a silent rose radiates beauty.
Sit Quietly and send peace from your heart
to all beings of all the worlds.
Oceans may empty, but there is no end to Love and Peace,
so share it always in selfless service; this is worship.

~ Papaji

Tide

There is no point in swimming against the tide.

– Anon

Law of Prosperity

The secret of prosperity, of course, would be to live within your income, to spend less than what you earn, and not go into debt. That would be the greatest wisdom in a nutshell! If you have not got the cash, then don’t purchase items—go without them.

Yet, there are certain laws of prosperity which stem from eternal spiritual truths. If you begin to feel and think lack (want), you experience lack. If you assert your abundance, then, as the shadow follows the person, abundance follows you.

Desire is poverty. Desire is a feeling of inadequacy. When you begin to desire, you are a beggar already. A millionaire who is always wanting to make another million is really a beggar. A porter who is getting, say, four dollars a day and says, “That is quite enough for me” is greater
than a millionaire. For he has not that nagging feeling of lack and the beggarly attitude of desire.

To this end, contentment is the true secret of affirming your abundance. Whatever comes, feel full. Once you have contentment, there is nothing that can make you unhappy. If you don’t have contentment, nothing can make you happy. The moment desire arises, just reject
it. Then you will begin to experience that the desired object comes by itself to you. This is an eternal law.

So, the inner secret of prosperity is to affirm your plentitude, your abundance. The moment you start affirming it, you will find conditions changing, for your conditions are the product of your own thoughts. The vital factor that goes to make up all your life is your thoughts. They are as tangible and substantial as bricks that piles up to become a great mansion. They can build your whole life. They can create any condition in your life. Therefore, the secret of prosperity is to affirm your true abundant nature. After all, you are the master of the whole creation, for you are heir to the One who is Master of everything. In truth, you lack nothing. All plenitude, all abundance is our real Self. Your true nature is plenitude. The more you begin to affirm this fact with perfect confidence, not as a thing to be, but as a fact that is, prosperity is yours.

This is a law which has been proved in the life of all those who have discovered and applied it. The more you desire, the more does your want increase. The more you assert your abundance, the more abundance follows you. Let this theorem be in your mind. Let it be in your
heart.

Swami Chidananda

How to Choose a Profession

In deciding upon a profession, you must now take a new look at the professions and reconsider what professional activity really implies. It constitutes your service and your contribution to the welfare and progress of the entire society in which you are living. Professional life is self-giving, is giving of oneself for the service of and benefit and happiness of all beings. Its income bringing aspect is secondary and not primary. This must be clearly understood. It must be subordinated to the basic ideals of self-giving and service. Otherwise man is not a man. He is but a beast in human form, a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

As long as you have a body, you have to work hard for your livelihood. You have to struggle hard to provide yourself with the necessities of physical existence—food, clothing, shelter, medical aid. But your efforts to earn your livelihood should not be immoral, unethical or unrighteous. Right conduct should be the basis of your professional or business activities. Ply a trade, do a business, be a farmer, be a doctor, it will not come in the way of your attaining supreme success in life provided you ever adhere to right conduct.

Similarly, your social life should not become mere frivolity, dissipation, extravagant entertainment and a waste of time, energy and money in meaningless status keeping. Social life has to be constructive, creative, ennobled by fellow-feeling, compassion and the spirit of sharing. It must be gainful in terms of increased happiness, welfare and benefit to all beings amidst whom Providence has placed you.

Be helpful to your brothers and sisters. Desire to serve your own neighbour. Desire to serve the society, nation, all creatures, even plants and insects. Desire to be serviceful to all. And do not forget that great being who gives us life itself—our Mother Earth. Without pure water and clear air, thick forests and fertile pastures, life on Earth cannot continue in a healthy manner. Already so many species have become extinct due to greed and selfishness. This will be our fate also unless great effort is put forth to turn the tides. Let your time be spent in these worthwhile pursuits.

Swami Chidananda

Personality

The refinement of one’s nature, the culture and purity of one’s whole personality – that is the indispensable prerequisite for the dawn of happiness in one’s life.

-Swami Chidananda

Think Nobly

As you think, so you will become, just as you reap what you sow. In the same way, you will ultimately experience and attain what you constantly think and feel. Your inner thoughts lead to outer action. Repeated actions grow into habits. Such habits become permanent qualities in your very nature. This nature goes to form your character. Your future and your destiny is the direct result of your character. Understand this very well. Carefully bear this in your mind. Think and act with this knowledge. Your inner thoughts are the seeds of your ultimate destiny. Safeguard your thoughts and feelings. Think nobly and virtuously. You will become a noble man or woman. You will attain greatness and make your life fruitful. More than all the books that you read and study, more than all your lessons and examinations, more important than everything in life is the cultivation of virtue. This is the source of ultimate happiness. Become good and great.

Swami Chidananda