Live never to be ashamed if anything you do or say is published around the world -- even if what is published is not true.
—Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
A certain devotee asked Maharshi about some disagreeable statements made by a certain man well-known to Maharshi. He said, "I permit him to do so. I have permitted him already. Let him do so even more. Let others follow suit. Only let them leave me alone. If because of these reports no one comes to me, I shall consider it a great service done to me.
—Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi recorded by Munagala Venkataramiah
He who with equanimity surveys
Lustre of goodness, strife of passion, sloth
Of ignorance, not angry if they are,
Not angry when they are not: he who sits
A sojourner and stranger in their midst
Unruffled, standing off, saying--serene--
When troubles break, "These be the Qualities!"
He unto whom--self-centred--grief and joy
Sound as one word; to whose deep-seeing eyes
The clod, the marble, and the gold are one;
Whose equal heart holds the same gentleness
For lovely and unlovely things, firm-set,
Well-pleased in praise and dispraise; satisfied
With honour or dishonour; unto friends
And unto foes alike in tolerance;
Detached from undertakings,--he is named
Surmounter of the Qualities!
—The Song Celestial, Or, Bhagavad-gîtâ translated by Edwin Arnold
/misc | Aug 03, 2018