Fasting in the monastic community is considered an ascetic practice, a “dhutanga” practice. Dhutanga means “to shake up” or “invigoration”. The Buddha, as is well known, emphasized moderation, the Middle Way that avoids extremes, in all things. Fasting is an additional method that one can take up, with supervision, for a time.
Many teachers will tell you to believe; then they put out your eyes of reason and instruct you to follow only their logic. But I want you to keep your eyes of reason open; in addition, I will open in you another eye, the eye of wisdom.
Alone let him constantly meditate in solitude on that which is salutary for his soul, for he who meditates in solitude attains Supreme Bliss.
He who trusts in God and makes an honest living to share with others and injures no one, nor harbours ill will against another need perform no other rituals.
He who knows his soul knows this truth: “I am beyond everything finite; I now see that the Spirit, alone in a space with its ever-new joy, has expressed itself as the vast body of nature…I am the wisdom and power that sustain all creation.”
Human beings protect the purity of manmade temples. Similarly, looking after the sanctity of this human body, a temple created by God, should become a spiritual endeavour that is of utmost importance.
There are no greater treasures than the highest human qualities such as compassion, courage and hope. Not even tragic accident or disaster can destroy such treasures of the heart.
Contemplating upon divine qualities, performing good deeds and chanting are all ways of destroying delusion through satsang.
Travel light on your journey in life. Your desires and expectations are heavy baggage which slow you down and thwart your progress. Let them go.
Mantras purify us and lift us to a higher state of awareness… Chanting also has significant effect on our bodies and minds. Like everything in this universe, our body is made up of vibrating energy.
