Don’t Take “No” for an Answer
“It seems to be nothing but calamity and defeat and it is only afterwards that the light of reason looking backwards is able by the illumination of subsequent events to understand His doings. Therefore we must have an invincible faith or else the calamities will be too great for our courage and endurance.” — Sri […]
You Don’t Need Permission or Instructions
“An association is not a thing which cannot exist unless we have a Chairman and a Vice Chairman and a Secretary. An association is not a thing which cannot meet unless it has a fixed meeting place. Association. . . depends upon the feeling and the force within us. Association means unity, brotherhood, binding together […]
What Will Future You Think of Present You?
“The problems which have troubled mankind can only be solved by conquering the kingdom within, not by harnessing the forces of Nature to the service of comfort and luxury, but by mastering the forces of the intellect and the spirit, by vindicating the freedom of man from within as well as without and by conquering […]
Go to the Source
“In his Life of Krishna, [Bunkim Chandra Chatterji]. . . perceived clearly enough that there were three different recognizable styles in the poem [Mahabharata], and he divided it into three layers: the original epic by a very great poet, a redaction of the original epic by a poet not quite so great and a mass […]
How To Be an Original Masterpiece
A craft is what you do, like cooking, teaching, driving, or something else. It becomes an art when you add love to it. Because when you love something (or someone), you don’t look for a template on what to do. You do what feels right to you, and give expression to your instinct without fear. […]
When You Should Walk Away
“It is always well for the man to go the moment his work is done and not outstay the Mother’s welcome. They are fortunate who get that release or wise enough, like Garibaldi, to take it. Not altogether happy is their lot who, like Napoleon or Mazzini, outstay the lease of their appointed greatness.” — […]
What Makes Actions Good or Bad?
“Achar with knowledge, observance full of the spirit of the thing itself, is sattwic and preserves the thing itself; achar without knowledge, looking to the letter of custom and observance, disregarding the spirit, is tamasic and destroys the thing itself.” — Sri Aurobindo The Lindy Effect states that the longer a non-perishable item has been […]
How To Find a Mentor
“Without self-confidence you can never do anything; you will never found an industry or build up a trade, for you have nothing to carry you through the first anxious years when the only dividend is hope, and the best assets are unfaltering courage and faith in oneself.” — Sri Aurobindo Everyone wants a mentor today. […]
Comparison As the Fuel for Progress
“Experience is the only path to knowledge, comparison perfects it.” — Sri Aurobindo Comparison is known to be the thief of joy. Comparing how much we have to people who have more makes us unhappy. Ditto with comparing our lives’ behind-the-scenes to others’ highlight reels in a social-media-dominated world. Others appear happier, richer, fitter, and […]
Turn Your Coal Into a Diamond
“Only when we suspend judgment and know the man and the motive before we criticize, that we shall be able to repose trust where trust is due. We must stiffen our character and educate ourselves up to a higher standard.” — Sri Aurobindo In his mother’s womb, Ashtavakra heard the chanting of the Vedas and […]