Essence of Divine Life by Swami Sivananda

Essence of Divine Life

• To speak the truth at all events, to speak sweetly with love, to practice non-violence and celibacy, to behold the Lord in all beings, is Divine Life.
• Love, truth and purity form the foundation of the edifice of Divine Life.
• Character and devotion are the bricks and mortar with which you have to construct the walls of the Temple of Divine Life.
• The Temple of Divine Life has four pillars, viz., meditation, purity, love and righteousness.
• Through the means of service, love and meditation, Divine Life is lived.
• The secret of Divine Life lies in the spirit of service and sacrifice.
• No philosophy or religion in the world can teach anything better than: ‘Serve, love, give, purify, be good, do good, meditate and realize.’
• Purify your heart. Purity is the very essence of religion.
• Mortifying the body is not Divine Life.
• Physical nudity and matted locks have nothing to do with Divine Life.
• Divine Life is not a rejection of life and its activities, but a transformation of it into the Divine.
• The path of duty is the way to glory and eternal happiness.
• The path of duty is the path of righteousness, and the path of righteousness is the only path of everlasting peace and happiness.
• Aspire ceaselessly to live in the Divine. Strive ceaselessly to realize the Truth.
• Work untiringly for the good of others.
• To have faith and devotion, to serve the preceptor and the saints, to practice meditation and to attain Self-knowledge, is indeed a supreme blessing.
• Without self-restraint there is no Divine Life.
• Do not mix much with people, but be friendly to all.
• Children of Immortality! Arise, awake, and lead the Divine Life of truth, purity, love and goodness.
• Be merciful to all. Be kind to all. Love all. Renounce sensual pleasures. Meditate on the Divine. This is Divine Life.
• The world is a composite whole. Do not entertain the spirit of separateness. In your heart and mind, be one with all.
• The individual soul has to merge in the Cosmic Soul. The human life has to transform itself into Divine Life. This is the goal of life.
• Find out your Centre. Dwell always in this Centre. This Centre is the Atman or your innermost Self.
• Realize your real nature. Realize your Atma-svarupa (the essential nature of the Self). A lion should not bleat like a lamb.
• Do not be pessimistic. Do not be negative in your approach. Be always optimistic and positive.
• Your only duty is God-realization. All other duties should only serve as a means to this final goal.
• Awake from the slumber of ignorance. Be dispassionate. Learn to discriminate. Meditate. Sleep no more. Behold the dawn of wisdom in your heart.
• Lift the veil of human imperfections. Behold your real nature.