The expression “rise and shine” is generally understood as a directive to wake up in the morning and face the tasks of the day with energy, optimism and great cheer – something we should all undoubtedly strive to do! However, there is a much deeper spiritual significance to this phrase. Linguists trace the origin of this phrase to the biblical verse found in the Book of Isaiah: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” Arise indicates that we must strive to ascend the mystic cross within and realize the perfection of soul in oneness with God; shine means to then share that light of divinity unstintingly with all of creation. What good the realization of the perfection of soul without the sharing of that light with all? Let each of us strive to rise and shine!
—Achariya Ajay
From the Gurus and Swamis: AUM
"To know is to share. Whenever we discover something of value and importance we invariably and eventually offer it for the good of all. What could be more beneficent to our life than the knowledge and realization of God? Consequently, whosoever knows God becomes an ardent and self-dedicated revealer of his truth and beauty, goodness and glory. Can a flower conceal its fragrance? Never! Nor can a man who has attained the realization of God resist the yearning of his soul to manifest and proclaim the divine glory of the Deity."
— Swami Premananda, The Gayatri Prayer
"We are the pure and perfect living light of God, born to bring that Light to this world, to see that light everywhere and to follow it to the Light of Lights. Thereby our souls shall know infinite existence without the shadow of mortality, pure will without the darkness of desire, perfect love without the veil of vanity."
—Swami Kamalananda, Reflections on Still Waters
Noble Thoughts:
"The Dharma seekers who live in the world use their daily activity as a polishing tool. Outwardly they may appear to be very busy, like flint striking steel, making sparks everywhere. But inwardly they silently grow, for although they may be working very hard, they are working for the sake of the work and not for the profits it will bring them. Unattached to the results of their labor, they transcend the frenetic to reach the Way's essential tranquility. Doesn't a rough and tumbling stream also sparkle like striking flints -- while it polishes into smoothness every stone in its path?"
—Hanshan Dequin, Autobiography and Maxims of Master Han Shan
"In the degree that we are filled with this Spirit of Peace by thus opening ourselves to its inflow does it pour through us, so that we carry it with us wherever we go. In the degree that we thus open ourselves do we become magnets to attract peace from all sources; and in the degree that we attract and embody it in ourselves are we able to give it forth to others. We can in this way become such perfect embodiments of peace that wherever we go we are continually shedding benedictions."
—Ralph Waldo Trine, In Tune with the Infinite
"Everyone shows harmony or disharmony according to how open he is to the music of the universe. The more one is open to all that is beautiful and harmonious, the more one's life is tuned to that universal harmony and the more one will show a friendly attitude towards everyone one meets. One's very atmosphere will create music around one."
—HazratInayat Khan, The Music of Life