Paramahansa Yogananda

Historical Era: 1893 – 1952

Philosophical Tradition: Kriya Yoga & Sanatana Dharma

Paramahansa Yogananda was an Indian monk and yogi who introduced millions of Westerners to meditation and Kriya Yoga through his masterwork Autobiography of a Yogi and the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF). Initiated by his guru Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri in the sacred lineage of Lahiri Mahasaya and Mahavatar Babaji, Yogananda arrived in Boston in 1920 to address the International Congress of Religious Liberals. Across three decades of tireless lecturing, writing, and teaching in the United States, Yogananda presented yoga not as an esoteric cult, but as an empirical science of psycho-physical attunement and direct communion with the Infinite.

Philosophical Teachings

  • The Science of Kriya Yoga: A psycho-physiological technique that accelerates human spiritual evolution by neutralizing sensory restlessness and recharging the spine and brain.
  • Direct Experience over Dogma: Spiritual truth is not a matter of blind theological belief, but a verifiable state of consciousness attained through regular meditation.
  • The Unity of Eastern & Western Mysticism: The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and the teachings of Jesus Christ point to the identical inner realization of God-consciousness.
  • Dynamic Willpower: Will is the switch that controls the flow of energy in the human body; where the mind focuses with intense resolution, energy follows.

Sourced Works & Literature

  • Autobiography of a Yogi: One of the most acclaimed spiritual autobiographies in modern history, introducing the science of Kriya Yoga, saints, and miracles.
  • God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita: A monumental two-volume spiritual commentary revealing the Gita as an allegory of the inner psychological and yogic battle for self-mastery.
  • The Second Coming of Christ: A detailed commentary on the Four Gospels demonstrating the unity between original Christianity and yogic consciousness.
  • Man's Eternal Quest & The Divine Romance: Collected talks and essays on purpose, meditation, willpower, and overcoming fear.

Yogananda opened the treasure-house of Indian meditative science to the modern world, inspiring everyone from Steve Jobs to George Harrison with his radiant warmth and spiritual depth.

✏️ Yogananda

#2017
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You do not have to struggle to reach God, but you do have to struggle to tear away the self-created veil that hides Him from you.

Category: PhilosophyMood: ReflectiveTags: #spirituality #meditation #kriya-yoga #inner-peace #awareness
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Be as simple as you can be; you will be astonished to see how uncomplicated and happy your life can become.

Category: WisdomMood: SereneTags: #simplicity #happiness #contentment #peace #clarity
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Change yourself and you have done your part in changing the world.

Category: WisdomMood: BoldTags: #transformation #self-change #world #integrity
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Live quietly in the moment and see the beauty of all before you. The future will take care of itself.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #presence #beauty #moment #peace
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Remain calm, serene, always in command of yourself. You will then find out how easy it is to get along.

Category: ResilienceMood: SereneTags: #calm #self-command #serenity #relationships
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The season of failure is the best time for sowing the seeds of success.

Category: ResilienceMood: MotivationalTags: #failure #success #resilience #growth
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There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first.

Category: LoveMood: SereneTags: #friendship #unselfishness #heart #magnetism
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Kindness is the light that dissolves all walls between souls, families, and nations.

Category: LoveMood: SereneTags: #kindness #light #unity #love
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You must not let your life run in the ordinary groove; do something that nobody else has done, something that will dazzle the world with the power of God in you.

Category: CreativityMood: MotivationalTags: #courage #creativity #divine-potential #daring
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Be fearlessly true to yourself and your ideals. You will never regret it.

Category: WisdomMood: BoldTags: #authenticity #courage #ideals #integrity
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Read a little. Meditate more. Think of God all the time.

Category: SpiritualityMood: SereneTags: #meditation #presence #study #devotion
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The power of unfulfilled desires is the root of all human bondage.

Category: PhilosophyMood: PhilosophicalTags: #desire #bondage #kriya-yoga #freedom
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Persistence guarantees that results are inevitable.

Category: ResilienceMood: BoldTags: #persistence #results #grit #mastery
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Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes, that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts.

Category: LoveMood: JoyfulTags: #smiles #compassion #joy #heart
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Calmness is the ideal state in which truth reflects clearly.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #calmness #truth #reflection #peace
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Do not take life too seriously; remember that it is a cosmic play.

Category: PhilosophyMood: JoyfulTags: #lila #cosmic-play #lightness #joy
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Forget the past, for it is gone from your domain! Forget the future, for it is beyond your reach! Control the present! Live supremely well now!

Category: MindfulnessMood: BoldTags: #present #control #living-well #now
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Seeds of past karma cannot germinate if they are roasted in the fires of divine meditation.

Category: PhilosophyMood: SereneTags: #karma #meditation #purification #freedom
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A sincere intention carries the blessing of the Infinite.

Category: WisdomMood: SereneTags: #sincerity #intention #blessing #grace
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The body is a temple; keep it pure and clean for the soul to dwell in.

Category: WisdomMood: SereneTags: #body #temple #purity #health
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Never give up your inner happiness for anything or anyone.

Category: WisdomMood: BoldTags: #happiness #inner-wealth #boundaries #peace
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Intuition is the soul's direct vision of truth.

Category: PhilosophyMood: PhilosophicalTags: #intuition #soul #truth #vision
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Will is the power of the soul in dynamic action.

Category: ResilienceMood: BoldTags: #willpower #soul #action #strength
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When you are in tune with the Infinite, all things become possible.

Category: SpiritualityMood: MotivationalTags: #infinite #alignment #possibility #faith
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Love is the universal solvent that dissolves all hatred.

Category: LoveMood: SereneTags: #love #solvent #healing #unity
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The greater the difficulty, the greater the glory in overcoming it.

Category: ResilienceMood: MotivationalTags: #adversity #glory #triumph #courage
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Make meditation a daily appointment with your highest Self.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #meditation #discipline #self #habit
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Where your attention is, there your energy flows.

Category: MindfulnessMood: BoldTags: #attention #energy #focus #presence
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True success is measured by the peace in your heart.

Category: WisdomMood: SereneTags: #success #peace #heart #measure
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The universe is not static; it is a dynamic symphony of divine energy.

Category: PhilosophyMood: SereneTags: #universe #symphony #energy #cosmos
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Forgive all who have wronged you; freedom from resentment is your greatest gift to yourself.

Category: WisdomMood: SereneTags: #forgiveness #resentment #freedom #peace
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Walk in the light of your own soul and you will never stumble in the dark.

Category: SpiritualityMood: SereneTags: #inner-light #soul #guidance #faith
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Let your mind be like a quiet lake reflecting the beauty of the stars.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #stillness #lake #stars #reflection
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Every trial is a silent lesson in divine endurance.

Category: ResilienceMood: ReflectiveTags: #trials #endurance #learning #growth
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The highest happiness comes from giving happiness to others.

Category: LoveMood: JoyfulTags: #happiness #giving #altruism #service
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Keep your heart anchored in the harbor of peace.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #anchor #peace #harbor #stillness
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Patience is the golden key to spiritual victory.

Category: WisdomMood: SereneTags: #patience #victory #key #discipline
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The soul is indestructible, radiant, and eternally free.

Category: PhilosophyMood: BoldTags: #indestructible #soul #radiance #freedom
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Breathe in peace; breathe out all anxiety.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #breath #peace #anxiety #calm
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The true yogi is one who sees the Divine in every creature.

Category: LoveMood: SereneTags: #yogi #divinity #creatures #unity
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Silence is the altar of the Infinite.

Category: SpiritualityMood: SereneTags: #silence #altar #infinite #reverence
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Let your daily actions be guided by supreme love.

Category: LoveMood: SereneTags: #actions #love #guidance #devotion
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When you conquer your own mind, you conquer the world.

Category: ResilienceMood: BoldTags: #mind-conquest #mastery #discipline #strength
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The joy of meditation is beyond the description of words.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #joy #meditation #ineffable #peace
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Radiate peace wherever you walk upon this earth.

Category: LoveMood: SereneTags: #radiance #peace #earth #presence
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Faith moves the mountains that doubt has created.

Category: ResilienceMood: BoldTags: #faith #doubt #mountains #courage
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True friendship is a divine bond that transcends lifetimes.

Category: LoveMood: SereneTags: #friendship #bond #lifetimes #love
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The secret of health lies in the harmony of mind and spirit.

Category: WisdomMood: SereneTags: #health #harmony #vitality #mind
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Never let the noise of the world drown your inner sanctuary.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #inner-sanctuary #noise #silence #peace
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The sun rises to banish darkness; let your awareness do the same.

Category: WisdomMood: JoyfulTags: #sun #awareness #light #clarity
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Walk with courage, speak with truth, and live with love.

Category: WisdomMood: BoldTags: #courage #truth #love #conduct
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The divine grace is ever flowing; make yourself an open vessel.

Category: SpiritualityMood: SereneTags: #grace #vessel #receptivity #surrender
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Inner peace is the foundation of all authentic power.

Category: ResilienceMood: SereneTags: #inner-peace #power #foundation #calm
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Simplicity is the natural expression of wisdom.

Category: WisdomMood: SereneTags: #simplicity #wisdom #elegance #peace
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Let your heart be full of gratitude for the gift of life.

Category: MindfulnessMood: JoyfulTags: #gratitude #life #heart #joy
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The mind that rests in stillness discovers infinite strength.

Category: ResilienceMood: SereneTags: #stillness #strength #rest #peace
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Every day is a fresh canvas for your soul's artistry.

Category: CreativityMood: JoyfulTags: #canvas #artistry #soul #renewal
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Do not dwell on mistakes; extract their lesson and move forward.

Category: WisdomMood: ReflectiveTags: #lessons #forward #growth #learning
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Love without condition is the highest spiritual attainment.

Category: LoveMood: SereneTags: #unconditional-love #attainment #grace #heart
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The spiritual path is walked one mindful step at a time.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #mindful-step #path #patience #journey
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True wealth is a contented heart and a peaceful mind.

Category: WisdomMood: SereneTags: #wealth #contentment #peace-of-mind #simplicity
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The light of wisdom shines through honest deeds.

Category: WisdomMood: BoldTags: #wisdom #deeds #honesty #light
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Dwell in the fortress of your own divine consciousness.

Category: SpiritualityMood: BoldTags: #fortress #consciousness #invincible #peace
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Let kindness be the atmosphere you create wherever you go.

Category: LoveMood: SereneTags: #kindness #atmosphere #presence #love
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The beauty of the soul never fades with the passing of years.

Category: PhilosophyMood: SereneTags: #soul-beauty #timeless #grace #eternity
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Master your attention and you master your destiny.

Category: ResilienceMood: BoldTags: #attention #destiny #focus #mastery
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In the silence of the soul, divine guidance is heard.

Category: SpiritualityMood: SereneTags: #guidance #silence #soul #intuition
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Every obstacle is a stepping stone to higher realization.

Category: ResilienceMood: MotivationalTags: #stepping-stone #obstacles #realization #growth
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Radiate the joy of the Spirit to all who cross your path.

Category: LoveMood: JoyfulTags: #joy #spirit #radiance #love
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The mind that loves truth is never misled.

Category: WisdomMood: BoldTags: #truth #discernment #clarity #integrity
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Cultivate deep inner stillness like the depths of the sea.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #depths #stillness #sea #calm
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Your highest duty is to realize your oneness with the Divine.

Category: SpiritualityMood: BoldTags: #oneness #divine #duty #realization
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Purity of intent turns ordinary labor into sacred art.

Category: CreativityMood: SereneTags: #intent #sacred-art #labor #purity
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Walk fearlessly, knowing that divine light protects your steps.

Category: ResilienceMood: BoldTags: #fearlessness #protection #light #faith
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Forgiveness is the supreme medicine for a wounded heart.

Category: LoveMood: SereneTags: #forgiveness #medicine #heart #healing
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The true measure of greatness is humility in action.

Category: WisdomMood: ReflectiveTags: #greatness #humility #action #nobility
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Let peace be your fortress and love your sword.

Category: ResilienceMood: BoldTags: #fortress #peace #love #courage
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The soul that rests in God knows no defeat.

Category: SpiritualityMood: BoldTags: #invincible #soul #god #victory
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Keep your vision high and your heart humble.

Category: WisdomMood: SereneTags: #vision #humility #balance #excellence
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Silence the restless senses to hear the whisper of eternity.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #senses #whisper #eternity #silence
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Live in the joyful expectation of good.

Category: WisdomMood: JoyfulTags: #expectation #good #joy #faith
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The master is one who has mastered himself.

Category: WisdomMood: BoldTags: #mastery #self-control #sovereignty #discipline
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Where love dwells, fear cannot enter.

Category: LoveMood: SereneTags: #love #fearlessness #sanctuary #grace
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Every breath is a sacred gift; treat it with reverence.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #breath #gift #reverence #presence
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The path of righteousness leads to unbroken peace.

Category: WisdomMood: SereneTags: #righteousness #peace #dharma #conduct
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Let your mind be a sanctuary of pure thoughts.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #sanctuary #thoughts #purity #peace
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True friendship is a golden bridge between hearts.

Category: LoveMood: SereneTags: #friendship #bridge #golden #love
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The light within you can never be extinguished.

Category: SpiritualityMood: BoldTags: #inner-light #indestructible #soul #faith
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Live with radiant purpose and divine enthusiasm.

Category: ResilienceMood: MotivationalTags: #purpose #enthusiasm #radiance #vitality
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The soul's song is heard in deep meditation.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #song #meditation #soul #peace
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Compassion is the divine fragrance of the enlightened heart.

Category: LoveMood: SereneTags: #compassion #fragrance #enlightenment #love
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Stand firm in the storm like a mighty oak.

Category: ResilienceMood: BoldTags: #firm #storm #oak #strength
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The treasure of peace is found in your own stillness.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #treasure #peace #stillness #inner-wealth
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Walk with the wise, speak with the humble, and love all.

Category: WisdomMood: SereneTags: #wisdom #humility #love #conduct
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Divine joy is your eternal birthright.

Category: SpiritualityMood: JoyfulTags: #divine-joy #birthright #eternity #grace
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Rest in the sanctuary of this unrepeatable present.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #sanctuary #present #now #peace
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Let your existence be a radiant beacon of hope.

Category: LeadershipMood: MotivationalTags: #beacon #hope #radiance #service
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In the heart of silence, all truth is known.

Category: SpiritualityMood: SereneTags: #silence #truth #heart #peace
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Live quietly in the moment and see the beauty of all before you. The future will take care of itself.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #moment #beauty #calm #future
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Remain calm, serene, always in command of yourself. You will then find out how easy it is to get along.

Category: MindfulnessMood: SereneTags: #calm #serenity #self-control #peace
✦More Wisdom Ahead
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The wound is the place where the light enters you.

Category: WisdomMood: ReflectiveTags: #healing #light #growth
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What you seek is seeking you.

Category: PhilosophyMood: PhilosophicalTags: #purpose #destiny #seeking
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The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.

Category: PhilosophyMood: ReflectiveTags: #mindset #happiness #stoicism
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Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.

Category: ResilienceMood: BoldTags: #action #virtue #stoicism
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There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.

Category: CreativityMood: MelancholicTags: #expression #creativity #courage
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We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.

Category: NatureMood: ReflectiveTags: #transformation #beauty #nature
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The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Category: WisdomMood: MotivationalTags: #journey #beginning #patience
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Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

Category: NatureMood: SereneTags: #patience #nature #flow
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Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.

Category: WisdomMood: JoyfulTags: #authenticity #identity #humor
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To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.

Category: PhilosophyMood: BoldTags: #existence #living #awareness
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You cannot find peace by avoiding life.

Category: ResilienceMood: MelancholicTags: #peace #courage #acceptance
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One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.

Category: WisdomMood: JoyfulTags: #self-care #wellness #nourishment
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Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.

Category: LoveMood: RomanticTags: #love #self-discovery #barriers
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Out of your vulnerabilities will come your strength.

Category: ResilienceMood: MotivationalTags: #vulnerability #strength #growth
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And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.

Category: PhilosophyMood: PhilosophicalTags: #perception #freedom #individuality
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