Before there was existence or nonexistence, Before there was sky or atmosphere above, Before there was birth, death or immortality, Day or night, light or darkness. . . Only the One Existent breathed calmly. . . self-contained, with nothing beyond.

The one consciousness-bearing life force is “Prana.” Prana is the “breath of life,” because there is no life without it; yet prana is not breathing per se. It is what animates all existence and all manifestations of life. All the cosmic space (the Akash) as well as vital forces such as gravity, magnetism and electricity evolve out of Prana. From movements higher and finer than nerve currents, to thoughts and actions, to the lowest and grossest — all are manifestations of Prana.

Do you know what happens to the mind that is unprepared, untrained, ignorant of its divine powers of pure self-reflection? It becomes afraid. Afraid to be alone. Afraid to be silent. Afraid to be calm. It is the greatest tragedy of life, because every person desires peace of mind. Every person craves self-composure and strength of calmness, yet few people know where they exist or how to find them. Few people are willing to devote even a few minutes of their day to find themselves in silence and solitude.

By the introspective absorption of consciousness and mind, with its potency of thoughts, determination of will, and absolute devotion, the direct perception of the indwelling self is attained. All concepts of duality fade away; thought rests in the stillness of illumination, will expands into dynamic immensity and devotion melts into all pervasive peace in an infinite effulgence of our expanding consciousness wherein our self is revealed in its truth, power, beauty and perfection.

The realization of the transcendental Self is a difficult task; this is the experience of every seeker after the state of self-liberation. But by the practice of subjective meditation the mind becomes steady, serene and self-composed, it is inspired by the strength of the self, and the power of remembrance reawakens the consciousness of self-transcendence, and finally the revelation of oneness with the absolute Self is attained.

Truth alone conquers, falsehood never does. The path to God is built on the foundation of truth. By following that path the sages of renunciation reach the transcendental state of the absolute Truth.

Since the beginning of creation, every soul has been endowed with the desire to regain its original state of absolute perfection. This desire inspires the spiritual aspirant to manifest his divinity in its fullest glory. Let him meditate on the six centers within the spine to awaken their spiritual vibrations. The spiritual vibrations of these centers, thus awakened, will keep his mind uplifted and enable it to remain established on Ajna, the spiritual eye; and finally he will be led into the Sahasraram where all consciousness of duality vanishes, and therein he will attain the supreme state of absolute, self-existent, conscious bliss.

I am Prakriti, ordained to creative Nature. I am the current of the Absolute in the ocean of life. The Mother of Earth, generating endless harmonies and hues in splendorous profusion. I fill the skies with endless invitations to awaken the soul from sleep. Awake, then, from thy slumber of unknowing to discover thy cosmic inheritance of infinite domain in my wondrous emporium.

One who is completely free from ill will and is friendly and compassionate towards all, who has overcome attachment and egotism, who is self-composed in pain and pleasure, and forgiving…is thus devoted to me is dear to me…Those who follow this immortal path of devotion exactly as herein propounded by me, with faith and regarding me as the supreme goal; such devotees indeed are exceedingly dear to me.

Our spiritual life should not be dominated by adverse material circumstances. Spiritual life must stand above all earthly conditions, as our Soul is above all effects of dualities. Do not always seek God, begin to see God. Blessed is he who sees God everywhere and beholds good in all things.

Perfecting the means is a constant effort that requires steadfastness and humility. It requires placing importance upon every thought, every word and every deed. Our actions produce effects in both seen and unseen ways. Therefore, we should not be attached to the ends for we may not know or understand the actual effect.

Thou dost speak unto me in the melody of thy infinite voice. The gentle whisper of the passing breeze, the mystic call of the soaring skylark, the minstrel song of the wandering brook, the message of eternity from the mighty sea---thy voice all!---I hear in rapturous adoration because thou hast endowed me with the power of hearing.

Wisdom is the discerning nature of the soul. It is not merely intellect but a higher state of consciousness that guides us internally. Self-knowledge has a value unequal to any other possession in life. It is that which alone reveals the true nature of ourselves and the world around us.

Why do we desire peace? Because peace is the basic substance of our being. It is a constituent quality of our spiritual self. Peace is the divine essence of the soul. We long for that which belongs to us and we are never satisfied until we have regained our divine treasure. The longing for peace is the most blessed yearning of our soul, the most righteous desire of our being.

When a gift is offered with the thought that it is righteous to perform acts of charity, without expecting anything in return, at the right time and place and to a worthy person, that gift is regarded as the source of self-liberation and peace.

We shall be drowned in the ocean of misery if we live in selfishness. A little straw in the river sinks down under a small weight. A log floats, though a crocodile may lie upon it. A selfish life is like the little straw which is unable to hold itself up against the burden of a little suffering. An unselfish man is like the log, though the monster of great misery be thrust upon him, he lives in serenity, wisdom and joy.

Come out into Nature—not the nature of maps and marked paths—not even the nature of America or any particular country—but the Nature of God…and of yourself.

Cultivate the consciousness of the inner life. “Do not follow the way of the worldly-minded.” (Isha Upanishad). Learn to seek God by seeing God. Seek to earnestly know who you are. Self-knowledge is the source of freedom, peace, joy and love. It is the basis for enlightened character.

What is the message revealed by Nature? What expression does the formless give within form?
Ever offering a living word, the tone and tenor of cosmic vibration carries the Absolute into Self-manifestation.

Light ignites our hearts in many ways, always joining, embracing, expanding… Some hearts are slow to illumine. Like coal they need time, but once aglow, their quiet warmth soothes and endures for a long time. Some hearts hold light as water does, subdued in dark and silent depths, yet brilliant and energizing in streams and cascading falls. Some hearts spread their light like the ignited incense - a fragrance offered into all directions freely, inviting and pleasing to all. Some hearts, like peerless transparent diamonds reveal the full spectrum of Light.

The Isha of our Upanishad, the Super Soul, which permeates all moving things, is the God of this human universe whose mind we share in all our true knowledge, love and service, and whom to reveal ourselves through renunciation of self is the highest end of life.

Sitting with the purpose of meditation you can follow a tremendously beneficial process of breathing in twelve stages. Just by reading them, you will see right away that they are progressively sublime, calming and expansive. They will be effective and helpful from your very first attempt and every time you follow them! Following them, you will gradually benefit from increasing contentment, gentleness and peace.

The gentle autumn has arrived. Her very presence fills the heart with serene happiness. Tranquility composes the mind with calmness, a sublime stillness pervades the entire being with inexplicable beatitude, soul feels closer to one's own pure consciousness, and a contemplative attitude fills the whole environment with an inner spiritual well-being.a

Experience has taught me that silence is a part of the spiritual discipline of a votary of truth. Proneness to exaggerate, to suppress or modify the truth, wittingly or unwittingly, is a natural weakness of man, and silence is necessary in order to surmount it.

Discovery of the spiritual wealth of your life does not mean that you will automatically become prosperous, healthy, famous or popular. Nor does it mean you will find a life of ease, free from care or responsibility. But you will enjoy true wealth, well-being and serenity.

All spiritual aspirants ought to know and clearly understand kundalini power. To the intiate trained to use kundalini it comprises the inner path to God. In Kriya meditation, kundalini is the specific and conscious link between individual prana or life energy pervading the human being and cosmic prana, the source and perfection of all beings.

I walk to the tree of life and sit beneath her canopy. My thoughts ascend through her outstretched branches. I listen to her wisdom and praise her for her beauty. I thank her for her beneficence. I learn from her guidance. She offers blessings as dewdrop beads of light on the gossamer string of love.

So long as our unfoldment requires us to continue our existence in the world of manifestation, we must have two ideals. One is the relative and the other is the absolute ideal. The relative ideal demands that we provide for the objective aspect of life; whereas the absolute ideal inspires us to realize the highest state of perfection, which is oneness with God, or Self-realization.

Light encircles each day with its garland of seven illuminations. In solemn stillness of Pre-dawn is foretold the course of each heavenward destiny. Dawn heralding advent of rose-golden rays In beneficent blessing, spanning across the horizon of time and space. Gaze upon this day of Thy creation! Each morning bathing the day with renewed vitality and opportunity.

I have discovered that man is fundamentally good and spiritual. In the innermost depth of his heart every man is kind and loving. This realization of the innate goodness of man has completely oriented my attitude towards my fellow beings. Today none can hurt me because I behold man in his spirit, and in his spirit man is good. Now my constant effort, under all circumstances, is to awaken man to his innate virtue and righteousness.