Great Throughts Treasury

"A spiritual truth is valid only when it does not contradict universal reason, one’s inner experience, and the experience of other seers of truth."

"The challenge of aggressive evil can be met only by the power of aggressive good."

"There is no such thing as a single scheme of salvation. Salvation is not the monopoly of any church. All paths lead to the hilltop of one and the same God-consciousness. The different religions are suited to the different aspirants in their various stages of progress."

"Although there are similarities between Hinduism and the other religions of the world, and as Hindus we respect all religions, nonetheless, there are features of Hinduism which are not found in other religions and which make Hinduism great"

"A distinguishing feature of Hindu philosophy is that is says God can be experienced, and in fact, that is the ultimate goal of a soul. This was one of the most compelling factors for me in my decision to adopt Hinduism."

"Keep in mind that a mantra is not meant to give you worldly benefit. If you are taking any name of God or repeating any mantra, it should be with the goal of experiencing the bliss of the name and purifying your heart."

"Hinduism is amazing vast, yet monotheistic ."

"Let a Christian follow the precepts of his faith, let a Hindu and a Jew follow theirs. If they strive long enough, they will ultimately discover God, who runs like a seam under the crusts of rituals and forms."

"God is absolute. He is one Supreme Being, formless, yet he can have a form. He is omnipresent."

"Any action giving a feeling of joy and a sense of performing duty is meditation. It is not necessary to go to Haridwar or Rishikesh to meditate, or even sit at one place for meditation. With such an attitude, even when a person fights for his country, he is in meditation. Observe great singers, dancers and artists; when they perform, they tune themselves becoming instruments in the hands of the Lord, free of any ego or pride. This state of joy is meditation in action."

"Supreme God has uncountable Divine powers. When most of them are dormant or inactive, then God is formless and is referred to by the term Brahman. When more of His powers are active, God has form, and is referred to by the term Paramatma."

"The Gita is the essence of all of these Upanishads. The knowledge of God is scattered throughout 1,180 Upnishads. The Gita, said by Shree Krishn, consolidates the Divine philosophy of all those Upanishads and gives a clear and precise understanding of several important topics."

"On the path of bhakti there are no restrictions of time or place for meditation. You can meditate anytime, anyplace. There is also no required posture for meditation. The only requirement is that you should be remembering Radha Krishn."

"Not only does Hinduism answer all our intellectual questions, but it clearly states that you can meet God in person. Now who wouldn't want to do that?"

"Upon complete heart purification, God will Grace you. With His Grace, you will receive a Divine mind and senses. Then you will be able to see Him, know Him, and experience Him."

"We experience meditation in understanding the true nature of the Universe, through the intellect or buddhi. The philosophy of division sees differences, creates hatred, violence, misery, and agitation in the mind. This cannot give us peace and quietude. The Vedanta philosophy of Oneness views the whole cosmos and everything in it as pervaded with Ishwara. Through touching, seeing, smelling, hearing and tasting we commune with God alone. See the whole Universe as one family – Vasudhaiv kutumbakam. In this understanding of Oneness, we are in a state of meditation."

"The truth is that even if we met God face to face, we would not recognize His Divinity. That is why we must do devotion to purify our heart."

"Whether we are singing God's name or repeating a mantra, the real benefit is only received when we join our mind with God."

"When we express deep feelings of love and respect towards anyone we love and revere, in thought, word or action, we are in meditation."