Sri Swami Satchidananda

The entire universe is a university. Everything and everybody is a professor to us. We constantly learn from everybody and everything. We learn even more through pain than through pleasure. Whether we want it to or not, the world will give us the experiences we need and make us grow.

Suppose I asked you to carry a big rock. You might say, “Ohh, it’s too much, I can’t carry it. But suppose I gave you a big bundle of gold coins heavier than that rock? Somehow you will find the strength to drag it. That shows that burdens are simply rocks of the mind.

Wherever you are, whatever you do, have discipline in your life.

If you really want to develop more faith and devotion, then think about the great benefits and gifts you have been constantly receiving. The more you think of them, the more you feel grateful, the more you feel devoted, the more you feel love.

Do your daily work, deal with everyone, move with everybody. Be in the ocean, but learn to surf well.

You are the master of your destiny. You can do it, you can undo it, and you can do it differently. Don’t ever, ever blame your environment on somebody else.

The best way to drive away the darkness is to bring light into the room.

Happiness never comes from the outside. Only when you are not depending on anything from the outside for your happiness are you totally independent.

Life *should* have challenges. Without challenges it would be a bore. It is only in challenging situations that you really learn. Never give up hope. If the mind is strong, anything can be achieved.