SATGURU SIVA YOGASWAMI (1872-1964), SRI LANKAS MOST RENOWNED CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUAL MASTER

Hindu Dharma was a great reconciler. It reconciled various viewpoints, various doctrines. It knew how to look at things from various angles and viewpoints. It knew no conflict between science and religion, between rationalism and spiritualism. It was so because it was not dogmatic in reason or religion. Ram Swarup (1920-1998), distinguished spokesperson of Hindu spirituality and culture in India

Adversity and prosperity never cease to exist. The adornment of great men's minds is to remain unswervingly just under both. Tirukural 115

People that say "You only live once " are underachievers.

I know you are busy. At least, your mind has made you think so. Even so, can you not find some time to invite God, your Supreme Guest, to bless you–you and your life–with His all-illumining and all-fulfilling presence? Sri Chinmoy, renowned spiritual leader, author, poet, artist, musician and athlete

Hinduism believes in the omnipresence of the Supreme God in every individual. There is no "fall." Man is not cut off from the divine. He requires only to bring the spontaneous activity of his mind to a state of stillness and he will experience that divine principle with him. Joseph Campbell (1904-1987), American writer, professor and expert in comparative religion

I'm a nobody, nobody is perfect, therefore I'm perfect. Swami Anubhavananda, humorous author and spiritual lecturer

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. Albert Einstein (1879-1955), German scientist and thinker

If you long to see God, take to spiritual practices. What is the good of merely crying, "O God! O God!"? Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886)

Forget past mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you are going to do now and do it. William C. Durant (1861-1947), founder of General Motors

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others. Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993), American actress and humanitarian, when asked to share her "beauty tips "

The best thing about Pagan friends is they worship the ground you walk on.

I do not want to foresee the future. I am concerned with taking care of the present. God has given me no control over the moment following. Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

A true artist is one who, having severed the fetters of ego and the little self with its pettery prejudice, pride, greed and foolish fears of other's opinions, has risen into the realm of pure consciousness, which is beyond the world of intellect. From that realm, which is the source of all arts, the artist can bring into expression pure form unadulterated by preconceived ideas of his or other's minds. Hilda Charlton (1905-1984), England-born mystic, Murugan devotee and dancer

Every step I take in light is mine forever. Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), modern Hindu renaissance master

Respect, don't suspect. Swami Tejomayananda, spiritual head of Chinmaya Mission

It is easy to tame the rogue elephant. It is easy to tie the mouth of a bear. It is easy to mount the back of a lion. It is easy to charm poisonous snakes. It is easy to conquer the celestial and the noncelestial realms. It is easy to trek the worlds invisible. It is easy to command the angelic heavens. It is easy to retain youth eternally. It is easy to enter the body of others. It is easy to walk on water and sit in burning fire. It is easy to attain all of the siddhis (yogic powers). But to remain still is very, very difficult indeed. Tayumanavar (1706-1744), Tamil saint, mystic and poet

Silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute. Anonymous

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, not to anticipate troubles, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly. Siddhartha Gautama (ca 566-486 bce), the Buddha

The greatest explorer on this Earth never takes voyages as long as those of the man who descends to the depth of his heart. Julien Green, (1900-1998), French-American writer

Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer. William S. Burroughs (1914-1997), American novelist

Mind is consciousness which has put on limitations. You are originally unlimited and perfect. Later you take on limitations and become the mind. Ramana Maharshi, (1879-1950), South Indian mystic

Remember, your own soul knows the reasons why you were born in this life. It knows what you need to accomplish in this birth. As a soul, you know what obstacles and challenges you need to face and overcome to grow stronger and conquer past karmic patterns through fulfilling your chosen dharma. Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1927-2001), founder of Hinduism Today

DID YOU KNOW?

The 2002-inaugurated "centro Cultural y Templo Hindu " in Punta Arenas, Chile, recently replaced the Kurinji Kumaren temple, in Wellington, New Zealand, as the southernmost Hindu temple in the world. Located at 53¡10' South of the equator, it was financed by the local Sindhi community. On the other end of the Earth, the honor of being declared the world's northernmost temple, at 61¡13' North, goes to the Sri Ganesha Mandir in Anchorage, Alaska

BASICS OF HINDUISM

ALL-PERVASIVE DIVINITY

As a family of faiths, Hinduism upholds a wide array of perspectives on the Divine, yet all worship the one, all-pervasive Supreme Being hailed in the Upanishads. As Absolute Reality, God is unmanifest, unchanging and transcendent, the Self God, timeless, formless and spaceless. As Pure Consciousness, God is the manifest primal substance, pure love and light flowing through all form, existing everywhere in time and space as infinite intelligence and power. As Primal Soul, God is our personal Lord, source of all three worlds, our Father-Mother God who protects, nurtures and guides us. We beseech God's grace in our lives while also knowing that He/She is the essence of our soul, the life of our life. Each denomination also venerates its own pantheon of Mahadevas, or "great angels, " who were created by the Supreme Lord and who serve and adore Him.