Thoughts … … …

Men are continually seeking retreats for themselves, in the country or by the sea, or among the hills. And thou thyself are wont to yearn after the like. Yet all this is the sheerest folly, for it is open to thee every hour to retire unto thyself
- Marcus Aurelius
[From ‘Crumbs from the Table’ by Ramananda Swarnagiri]



Anandamoyee Ma …….. told us that if ever one is bitten by a cobra or any other venomous creature, to eat something very hot immediately. It will help to keep the poison from harming you until medical aid can be reached. What happens is that hot milk, or hot, spicy foods slow the flow of blood to the heart, where the poison can kill you. This is only a temporary measure, of course, useful in some cases until one can get medical attention.

[From ‘Shaped by Saints’ by Devi Mukherjee with Durga Smallen and Swami Kriyananda]



Smoking’s the easiest habit in the world to give up: I’ve done it a thousand times – Mark Twain



Time, you old gypsy man,
Will you not stay,
Put up your caravan
Just for one day?
- Ralph Hodgson



‘An eye like the antelope’s, a waist like the lion’s, and a gait like the elephant’s’
- Characteristics of ideal femininity according to an ancient Indian sage



Take care of your Thoughts because they become Words
Take care of your Words because they will become Actions
Take care of your Actions because they will become Habits
Take care of your Habits because they will form your Character
Take care of your Character because it will form your Destiny
And your Destiny will be your Life!
- His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

From ‘Delirious Delhi. Inside India's Incredible Capital’ by Dave Prager

…. all of India’s fruits and vegetables tasted better. That’s because in the States, fruits and vegetables are bred to meet Americans’ demand for unnatural perfection. Consumers prize produce that looks uniform and shiny like it rolled off a factory floor; taste is a secondary consideration. ……. In Indian vegetable markets, the imperfection of unmediated nature is on full display: the vegetables are smaller, uglier and more frequently blemished than those in America. But they’re far more flavourful.