INSPIRATION
AND CORE MESSAGE
UNIVERSAL LIGHT FOR UNIVERSAL PEACE
At Sanctuary, each person had different masters and a background of different faiths, and so it was a spontaneous decision to use a universal symbol – a lighted lamp. There was a conscious realisation that though the paths may be many, the goal is one.
The truth and oneness of all religions of the world:
Blessed are those who prefer others before themselves — Baha’i
Conquer anger by love and evil by good — Buddhism
Love thy neighbour as thy self — Christianity
I am impartial to all the created beings. I have neither friend nor foe — Hinduism
No one of you is a believer until you desire for another that which you desire for yourself — Islam
In happiness and in suffering, in joy and in grief, regard all creatures as you would regard your own self — Jainism
What is hurtful to you, do not do to your neighbour — Judaism
I am enemy to no one, and no one is a stranger to me. Indeed I am a friend of all — Sikhism
Regard your neighbour’s gain as your own gain and your neighbour’s loss as your own loss — Taoism
That nature is good only when it does not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self — Zorastrianism
May we be united in heart. May we be united in speech. May we be united in mind. May we perform our duties as did the wise of old. May we be united in our prayer. May we be united in our goal. May we be united in our resolve. May we be united in our understanding. May we be united in our offering. May we be united in our feelings. May we be united in our hearts. May we be united in our thoughts. May there be perfect unity amongst us.
– Rig Veda
There is only one religion, the religion of love
There is only one language, the language of the heart
There is only one caste, the caste of humanity
There is only one God who is omnipresent.
– Sri Sathya Sai Baba
The idea that change starts within
EVERY SOUL THAT UPLIFTS ITSELF UPLIFTS THE WORLD
Great masters and saints of the past and those in our midst today have said:
Start where peace begins, in yourself, change yourself so that when others come into your presence, they feel peace and calmness.
The words of Black Elk, mystic and healer of the Oglala Lakota tribe, may speak to you as you participate in this worldwide effort for peace.
“The peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within [all] souls when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Wakan-Tanka (the Divine), and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us. This is the real peace, and the others are but reflections of this. The second peace is that which is made between two individuals, and the third is that which is made between two nations. But above all you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is irst known that true peace, which, as I have often said, is within [all] souls”.
PRAY FOR THE WHOLE WORLD
Lord of the Universe!
We pray for our country, all people in the world and the Universe.
Give us the courage to avoid unnecessary fear,
to remove the widespread illiteracy,
to live in peace and unity, forgetting differences like caste and religion,
to speak the Truth always, and to work hard.
Lord! Bless us all so that we can live with real freedom, peace and joy
where people are really happy.
– Adapted from Rabindranath Tagore
The former Secretary General to the United Nations, Dag Hammarschold spoke these inspiring words at the dedication of the meditation room at the UN headquarters and we have adapted it to share here.
Human beings have reached a critical point in history, where they must turn to God to avoid the consequences of their own faulty thinking.
We must pray not a few of us but all of us.
We must pray simply, fervently, sincerely, and with increasing power as our faith grows.
We must pray for the world leaders by asking God’s spirit to descend upon their hearts and minds.
We must condition ourselves, each and everyone, by asking God’s help in living so that peace may be possible.
We must pray in the church, the temple, the mosque, the synagogue, at all places of worship, at home, in the train, while driving, on the job and keep at it. Each of us is important now.
The ability of every individual to seek Divine help is a necessary link in the golden chain of harmony and peace. Prayer is a dynamic manifestation of love by the concerned reaching out for God’s help. You can help change the world by your prayers and your prayerful actions.”
With gratitude to Indra Devi, often called ‘the First Lady of Yoga’, who in 1967, introduced a method of light meditation in India. She said,
‘You give love and light to everybody – those who love you, those who harm you, those whom you know, those whom you don’t know. It makes no difference. You just give love and light.’
ROLE OF PRAYER
Each day as the media reports about some new disease or disaster, or another international crisis that brings the world closer to war, we feel a deep sense of insecurity about our lives and those of our dear ones. We have reached a point where we wonder, ‘is there anything I can depend on in this world? Is there anything I can do to counteract these threats to peace and security that I wish for myself and all humanity?’ If each one of us were to introspect, as to the cause of the physical and emotional inharmonies that we experience, and the social and international strife between nations, we will realise that the cause is our very own wrong thoughts and actions.
To counteract this negativity, each one of us can effectively work for healing and security for not only ourselves and our dear ones but also for the troubled nations of the world, by focusing the power of prayer, the unlimited Divine power within each of us.
Many question, does prayer change things?
Does it change your present situation or sudden circumstances?
No, not always but it does change the way you look at events.
Does it change shattered hearts or broken bodies?
Not always but it will change your source of strength and comfort.
Does it change your wants and desires?
No, not always but it will inspire you to desire more mindfully.
Does it change your regrets from the past?
No, not always but it will change your hopes for the future.
Does it change the people around you?
No, not always but it will change you, the problem is not always with the other.
Does it change your life in ways you can’t explain?
Oh yes, always. It will change you from the inside out.
Ideas that guide us to live our lives
It is the experience and practice of the Indian people that they generally worship the Divine with flowers and offer ritual adoration. There is another way of worship —through nurturing our humanity; our qualities, conduct, thoughts, and making that an offering. The scriptures have described this kind of worship as Guna Archana (worship through virtues) and is also known as Parabhakthi (supreme devotion). This is the foundation for a life of love, peace, joy, light, gratitude, equanimity and harmony.
Non-violence · Sense control · Compassion
Forbearance · Equanimity · Harmony of thought, word and deed
Meditation · Truth · Humility · Obedience
Love · Patience · Fearlessness · Faith
A Ceiling on Desires is a practical means of reducing our impact on the environment – saving Food, Money, Time & Energy. A heightened awareness and mindful living, moderation in consumption and utilisation of savings for others, every moment of each day, as we interact with the environment, directly and indirectly. The choices we make and our actions – such as choosing the food we eat, how we spend our money & time, the energy and natural resources we utilise and even the thoughts we have – all impact the environment.