Top 306 Quotes & Sayings by Mata Amritanandamayi - Page 2

Look at Nature. Nature is a book from which we must learn. Each object in it is a page of that book.

No matter who causes you grief, take your complaints to the meditation room, where your real friend is. In addition to your husband or wife, you should have a friend - and that friend should be God. Even if your husband or wife makes you unhappy, tell that to God, and not to anyone else. If your neighbor picks a fight with you, go to the meditation room and complain, 'Why did you let him treat me like that? Weren't you with me?' Open your heart and tell God everything. Then it becomes a satsang.

Look upon others as being part of yourself.

Love is the very foundation, beauty and fulfillment of life. If we dive deep enough into ourselves, we will find that the one thread of universal love ties all beings together. As this awareness dawns within us, peace alone will reign.

What the world needs are servants, not leaders. Everyone's wish is to become a leader....Let us become a real servant instead.

We are all beads strung together on the same thread of love.

What meaning do our lives have if we cannot set aside at least one hour a day out of 24 for thinking about God? Think how many hours we spend reading the newspaper, gossiping and doing various useless acts! Children we can definitely set aside an hour for sadhana if we really want it. That is our real wealth. If we cannot spare a whole hour at a stretch, keep apart half an hour in the morning and again in the evening.

The intellect always cuts and divides like a pair of scissors. The heart sews things together and unites like a needle. The tailor uses both.

The impermanent, which is the body, is given too much importance. The permanent, which is the Atman, is completely forgotten. This should change.

God is standing at the door of every heart. Call Him. He is waiting to come in.

Spiritual love is without limits or boundaries. Worldly love is superficial and fluctuating.

Real life is developed from within. Real living means that the soul expresses itself through all one's thoughts, words and actions. A person becomes fearless once he understands the nature of the imperishable soul.

Children, we can grow spiritually only if we see the guru as the manifestation of God. We should not accept anyone as guru before we are fully convinced personally that he is authentic and truthful. Once we choose someone as guru, we should surrender completely to him. Only then will spiritual development be possible. Devotion to the guru means total surrender to him.

Have the conviction that God is your only real relative and friend.

Nobody likes to let go of the ego- it is so precious to everyone. However, once you have attained a state of egolessness, the world won't disappear, as you may think it will. The world will continue, but a change takes place within you. Something is uncovered. You start seeing everything with the wonder and innocence of a child.

It is man who, through his thoughts and actions, creates turmoil and disintegration in the natural, harmonious unity of the world.

Every night, contemplate: What good did I do today? How can I do better tomorrow?

Whatever action we are doing, we should be sure to keep the thought of God alive within. Whenever we sit or get up, we should prostrate in that place. It is good to cultivate the habit of considering our pen, books, clothes, vessels, and the tools of our job as imbued with divine presence and use them with care and respect. This will help keep the thought of God alive throughout our body, mind and atmosphere.

Remember to set apart at least one hour every day to do some service for others. While the food we eat nurtures our bodies, it is what we give in charity that nurtures our souls. If time is not available daily, reserve at least a few hours every week for some worthwhile act of charity.

We live in a calculative world and have a calculative mind, and in such a world, ego dominates.

The indicator of true knowledge is the ability to differentiate what uplifts us from what pulls us down.

Any pleasure gained by means other than mental control weakens the body.

It should be for satsang that we go to spiritual centers. By going there, people who are involved in the world can attain peace and concentration. The concentration gained when one goes there cannot be achieved if one sits at home. Even though the breeze blows everywhere, coolness will be felt more if we sit in the shade of a tree. In the same way, although God is all-pervading, this presence will clearly shine in certain places more than others. That is the greatness of satsang. Satsang is the best thing for spiritual advancement.

Surrender and living in the present are one and the same.

Transcending the cycle of death and rebirth is the real purpose of this life in human form.

Society is made up of individuals. The thoughts and actions of each individual influence the culture of that society. Instead of waiting for others to improve, we should try to improve ourselves. Once our attitude has changed, we will be able to perceive goodness throughout world. If there is a positive change in us, it will also be reflected in others. It is only what we give that we can hope to get back.

Mental purity will come through constant chanting of the divine name. This is the simplest way. You are trying to cross the ocean of transmigration, the cycle of birth and death. The mantra is the oar of the boat; it is the instrument you use to cross the samsara of your restless mind, with its unending thought waves. The mantra can also be compared to a ladder that you climb to reach the heights of God realization.

When people live in accordance with Nature, the song of life becomes sweet.

Meditation increases our vitality and strengthens our intelligence. Our beauty is enhanced and our mental accuracy and health are improved. We gain the mental fortitude and patience to face life's problems. Meditate! Only through meditation can we find the treasure we're looking for.

If we keep holding on to God, there is nothing to fear.

Amidst sorrows, the only thing that enlivens us is optimistic faith. Never lose that faith.

Married life, if lived with the proper love and understanding, helps awaken the feminine within a man, and the masculine within a woman.

Just as food and sleep are necessary for the body, spiritual understanding is needed for a healthy mind.

Be content and happy with whatever comes to you.

If you have patience, then you'll also have love. Patience leads to love. If you forcefully open the petals of a bud, you won't be able to enjoy its beauty and fragrance. Only when it blossoms by following its natural course, will the beauty and fragrance of a flower unfold.

Look at the optimism of Nature. Nothing can stop it. Only the ego makes humans pessimistic, and this causes suffering.

Controlling the mind is the way to attain internal harmony.

Pure love transcends the body. It is between hearts. It has nothing to do with bodies.

In today's world, people experience two types of poverty: the poverty caused by lack of food, clothing and shelter, and the poverty caused by lack of love and compassion. Of these two, the second type needs to be considered first because if we have love and compassion in our hearts, then we will wholeheartedly serve those who suffer from lack of food, clothing and shelter.

Lessen the quantity of unnecessary thoughts and allow more space for the energy of love to flow within you.

Traveling by bus, we see many things on the way and just let them pass by. Watch the thoughts of your minds in the same way.

Being aware of the bondage is enough to free you from its clutches.

Happiness comes from the dissolution of the mind, not from external objects. Through meditation we can achieve everything including bliss, health, strength, intelligence and vitality. But it should be practiced properly in solitude and with care.

Thinking that God wants something from us is like showing a candle to the sun.

Love sustains everything.

Pure love is the best medicine for the modern world. This is what is lacking in all societies. The root cause of all problems, from personal problems to global problems is the absence of love. Love is the binding factor, the unifying factor. Love creates the feeling of oneness among people. It unifies a nation and its people. Love creates a sense of unity while hatred causes division. Egotism and hatred cuts people's minds into pieces. Love should rule. There is no problem which love cannot solve.

By living in harmony with Nature one gains a healthy mind and body.

A seed has to get buried in the soil for its real form as a plant to emerge. Only through modesty and humility can we grow. Pride and conceit will only destroy us. Live with the firm attitude, 'I am everyone's servant.' Then the whole universe will bow down to us.

Whatever you see, hear or experience in the world is ephemeral. Get in touch with the eternal substratum of everything.

Keep the child within alive. A child never tires of hearing the birds sing, never gets bored looking at flowers.

Our circumstances will continually change. It is out of our control. It is more important to change our attitude, which we have control of.

Intellectual prowess has its limitations. Thus, do not limit the scope of your learning to the realm of the intellect.

Look carefully at what is of value in others and respect that.

Pray: O Lord, make my eyes see only the good in everyone.

First, the human mind should be harmonized, then the harmony of Nature will spontaneously take place.

Our highest, most important duty in this world is to help our fellow beings.

Meditation increases your vitality and strengthens your intelligence... your mental clarity and health improve. You acquire the patience and fortitude to face any problem in life. So, meditate! Only through meditation will you find the treasure you are seeking.

A sadhak (one who does spiritual practice) will not have time to indulge in gossip. They will not feel like talking to anyone in a harsh manner. Those who always indulge in faultfinding will never achieve spiritual progress. Do not harm anyone by thoughts, words or deeds. Be compassionate towards all beings. Ahimsa (nonviolence) is the highest dharma (duty).

One should see any opportunity to serve as a rare and precious gift...and never waste such an opportunity.

Grace is openness. By remaining open, you let go of your ego and narrow-minded views, and allow divine grace to express itself through you.