Category: Philosophy
Do I need to answer every loud voice?
Can I visit every sacred place—and still miss the temple?
“Attention is the beginning of devotion.”— Mary Oliver, Upstream Kabir – The couplet मन मथुरा दिल द्वारिका, काया कासी जाणि।दसवाँ द्वारा देहुरा, तामै जोति पिछांणि॥ Transliterated Man Mathurā dil Dvārikā, kāyā Kāsī jāṇi |Dasvā̃ dvārā dehurā, tāmai jyoti pichhāṇi || Translation Know the mind as Mathura, the heart as Dwarka, and the body as Kashi.The…
Is the thief convincing—or am I eager to be convinced?
“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself—and you are the easiest person to fool.”— Richard P. Feynman, Caltech Commencement Address, 1974 Kabir – The couplet साहु चोर चीन्है नहीं, अँधा मति का हीन।पारख बिना बिनास है, कर बिचार होहु भीन॥ Transliterated Sāhu cor cīnhai nahī̃, ãdhā mati kā hīn |Pārakh binā binās…
Can I fall in love—and insist on remaining unchanged?
“Love takes off the masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within.”— James Baldwin, “Letter from a Region in My Mind” (1962) Kabir – The couplet कबीर हरदी पीयरी, चूना ऊजल भाइ।राम सनेही यूँ मिले, दून्यूँ बरन गँवाइ॥ Transliterated Kabīr haradī pīyarī, cūnā ūjal bhāi |Rām-sanehī yū̃ mile, dūnyū̃…
Who did I decide was beneath me?
“Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.”— Bryan Stevenson Kabir – The couplet कबीर घास न नींदिये, जो पाऊँ तलि होइ।उड़ि पड़ै जब आँखि में, खरा दुहेली होइ॥ Transliterated Kabīr ghās na nīndiye, jo pāū̃ tali hoi |Uṛi paṛai jab ā̃khi mẽ, kharā duhelī hoi || Translation Kabir says: Do…
The Gardener Cannot Hurry the Fruit
Sant Kabir’s couplet धीरे-धीरे रे मना, धीरे सब कुछ होय।माली सींचे सौ घड़ा, ऋतु आए फल होय॥ Transliteration Dhīre-dhīre re manā, dhīre sab kuch hoy |Mālī sīñche sau ghaṛā, ṛtu āe phal hoy || Translation Slowly, slowly, O mind; everything happens in its own time.The gardener may pour a hundred pots of water,but the fruit…
Turning the Beads — or Turning the Mind?
“Your beliefs don’t make you a better person. Your behavior does.”— Anonymous Sant Kabir’s couplet माला फेरत जुग भया, फिरा न मन का फेर।कर का मनका छोड़ि दे, मन का मनका फेर॥ Transliteration Mālā pherat jug bhayā, phirā na man kā pher |Kar kā mankā chhoṛi de, man kā mankā pher || Translation An age…
If being peaceful is becoming another struggle, what are we really holding on to?
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself as I am, then I change.” — Carl R. Rogers, On Becoming a Person Kabir – The couplet सहज सहज सब कोई कहै, सहज न चीन्हैं कोय ।जिन सहजै विषया तजै, सहज कहावै सोय ॥ Transliterated: Sahaj sahaj sab koi kahai, sahaj na cheenhai koy |Jin…
A Mirror for the Self
“We can forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”— PlatoSant Kabir’s couplet –अगुन किए तो बहु किए, करत न मानी हार।भावें बंदा बख़्शे, भावें गर्दन मार॥Transliteration –Agun kiye to bahu kiye, karat na mani haar;Bhāven bandā bakṣhe, bhāven gardan mār.Translation…
Modern Wisdom Echoes
“Your work is to discover your world — and then, with all your heart, give yourself to it… not to its paycheck.”— The Buddha (attributed)Sant Kabir’s couplet –साधु भूखा भाव का, धन का भूखा नाहीं।धन का भूखा जो फिरे, सो तो साधु नहीं॥Transliteration –Sādhu bhūkhā bhāv kā, dhan kā bhūkhā nāhīn;Dhan kā bhūkhā jo phire,…
Let Them Laugh at the Start, Not at the End
“Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity,they think of you.”— H. Jackson Brown, Jr.Sant Kabir’s couplet –जब हम जग में पग धर्यो, सब हँसे हम रोये।कबीरा अब ऐसी कर चलो, पाछे हँसी न होये॥Transliteration –Jab ham jag meṁ pag dharyō, sab haṁse ham roye,Kabīrā ab aisī kar chalo, pāchhe haṁsī…
Not Every Pearl Lies in the Sea
“Genuine people are rare, and that’s what makes them valuable.”— UnknownKabir – The coupletसब बन तो चंदन नहीं, सूरन के दल नाहीं।सब समुंदर मोती नहीं, यों साधु जग माहीं॥Transliterated:Sab ban to chandan nahi, shooran ke dal nahi |Sab samundra moti nahi, yun sadhu jag mahi ||Translation:“Not every forest is made of sandalwood, nor is every…
When Death Becomes Freedom: A Mystic’s Joy Beyond Fear
“Death is a stripping away of all that is not you. The secret of life is to ‘die before you die’ — and find that there is no death.”— Eckhart Tolle”The ego’s death is the only true death. What remains afterward is eternal — blissful and without fear.”- Ramana MaharshiKabir – The coupletजा मरने से…
When I Let Go, I Become All
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”— Lao Tzu, Tao Te ChingKabir – The coupletमैं लागा उस एक से, एक भया सब माहिं।सब मेरा, मैं सबन का, तिहाँ दूसरा नाहिं॥Transliterated:Main laaga uss ek se, ek bhaya sab maahin |Sab mera, main saban ka, tihan doosara naahin ||Translation:“I attached…
The Guru’s Measureless Grace — and the Danger of the Wrong Guide
“One good teacher in a lifetime may sometimes change a delinquent into a solid citizen.”— Philip Wylie Kabir – The coupletसब धरती कागद करूँ, लेखन सब बनराय। सात समुद्र की मस्य करूँ, गुरु गुण लिखा न जाय॥ Transliterated:Sab dharti kaagad karun, lekhan sab ban raaye | Saat samund ki muss karun, Guru gun likha na jaye…
Where Love is True, Run to It — And Let Your Inner Self Meet the World Without Masks
“Surround yourself only with people who are going to lift you higher.”— Oprah Winfrey Kabir – The coupletहेत प्रीत सुन जो मिले, ता को मिलिए धाय। अंतर राखे जो मिले, तासे मिले बलाय॥transliterated:Het preet sun jo mile, taa ko miliye dhaaye | Antar raakhe jo mile, taase mile balaaye || Translation:If someone approaches you with genuine…
Whispers of the Bloom: Lessons in Mortality from Kabir
“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”— Steve Jobs Kabir – The coupletमाली आवत देख के, कलियाँ करें पुकार।फूल-फूल चुन लिए, काल हमारी बार॥transliterated:Māli āvat dekh ke,…
The One Beyond Names: Many Paths, One Presence
“God is too big to fit into one religion.”— The Bahá’í Faith Kabir – The coupletसाहिब मेरा एक है, दूजा कहा न जाय।दूजा साहिब जो कहूँ, साहिब खड़ा रुसाय॥ transliterated:Sāhib merā ek hai, dūjā kahā na jāya |Dūjā sāhib jo kahū̃, sāhib khaḍā rusāya || Translation:My Master (Lord) is One, there is no second to seek…
Each failure is one more step to ultimate success.
“One small crack does not mean that you are broken; it means that you were put to the test and you didn’t fall apart.” — Linda Poindexter Kabir – The coupletजब ही नाम दय धरयो, भयो पाप का नाश ।मानो चिंगारी अगि की, पिर पुरानी घास || Transliterated:Jab hi naam liya dharyo, bhayo paap ka naash | Maano chingari agni ki, pari puraani ghaas|| Translation:When the name of God is remembered, all sins are…
Look inside the self – that is where peace resides.
“The only journey is the journey within!” — Rainer Maria Rilke Kabir – The coupletहरि संगत शीतल भया, मिटी मोह की ताप ।निश्वासर सुख निधि, लहा अंगटा आप || Transliterated:Hari sangat sheetal bhaya, miti moh ki taap|Nishwasar sukh nidhi, laha angata aap|| Translation:In the company of the Divine, it becomes cool, the heat of attachment dissipates|With every breath, find…
Peace lives inside us – not outside in the external world.
“When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.” — Peace Pilgrim (born Mildred Lisette Norman in 1908) Kabir – The coupletजग मे बैरी कोई नह , जो मन शीतल होय । यह आपा तो डाल दे, दया करे सब कोय || Transliterated:Jag me bairi koi nahi, jo man sheetal hoy |Yah aapa to daal de, daya kare sab koy|| Translation:In the world, there is no enemy…
While we cannot control the world, we can control our reactions to it—and hence, help shape it better!
“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” – Viktor Frankl Kabir – The coupletबाज़ीगर का बंदर, ऐसा जीव मन के साथ |नाना नाच दिखाए कर, रखता अपनी बात॥ Transliterated:Baazigar ka bandar, aisa jeev man ke saath…
Nothing is Impossible!
“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!” Audrey Hepburn “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Steve Jobs The…
The nature of desire
“Desire is a contract that you make with yourself to be unhappy until you get what you want.” – Naval Ravikant (contemporary philosopher and entrepreneur) The Couplet by Kabir कामी लज्जा न करै, न महें अहिलाद। नींद न मांगै सांथरा, भूख न मांगे स्वाद॥ Transliteratedkāmī lajjā na karai, na mēṁ ahilād |nīnd na māṅgai sāntharā,…
If I try hard enough, nothing bad, or GOOD, will ever happen to me!!
“The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.” – Leo Buscaglia The Coupletजिन खोजा तिन पाइया, गहरे पानी पैठ | मैं बपुरा बूडन डरा, रहा किनारे बैठ || TransliteratedJin khoja tin paaiya, gahre…
Inner cleanliness leads to outer glow – which cannot be achieved with all the make-up or soaps of the world!!
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou Kabir – The Couplet“सकल पत्थर में हीरा भया, कुटिल मूरत हंस पसंद। कबीरा हंसा चुगै मोती, कौआ चुगै कंकर ||” Transliterated“Sakal pathar mein heera bhaya, kutil moorat hans pasand |…
Staying superficial gets us nowhere!
“Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not.” Oprah Winfrey Kabir – The couplet“काहू काही समुझावत, रे काहू काही समुझै। सार श्रृंगार दोऊ की जानत, सार श्रृंगार में जाई॥” Transliterated“Kaahu kaahi samajhaavat, re kaahu kaahi samujhai |Saar sringaar dou ki jaanat, saar sringaar mein…
When I point a finger at my neighbor, three more are pointing back at me!
“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” Carl Jung (Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst) Kabir – The coupletदोस पराए देखि करि, चला हसन्त हसन्त |अपने याद न आवई, जिनका आदि न अंत || TransliteratedDos parae dekhi kari, chala hasant hasant |Apne yaad na aavai, jinka aadi na ant ||…
Simplicity is the road to success and greatness!!
“Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” – Steve Jobs Kabir – The couplet “साधना बिनु सब सूना, साधना सब काज।साधना बिनु सुधि ना होई, साधना…
Is human life frail – or is it our thought that makes it so?
” Ninety percent of the world’s woe comes from people not knowing themselves, their abilities, their frailties, and even their real virtues. Most of us go almost all the way through life as complete strangers to ourselves – so how can we know anyone else?” – Sydney J. Harris Kabir – The coupletकबीर मंदिर लाख का,…
Ignore the guide (teacher) at your own peril.
“The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind.” – Kahlil Gibran Kabir – The coupletकबिरा ते नर अंध है, गुरु को कहते और | हरी रूठे गुरु ठौर है, गुरु रूठे नहीं ठौर || Transliterated:Kabira te…
Modesty is the jewel that both calms and enlightens!
“Modesty is the foundation of all virtues.” – Confucius “Modesty is the highest elegance.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Kabir – The coupletशीलवन्त सबसे बड़ा, सब रतनन की खान । तीन लोक की सम्पदा, रही शील में आन ॥|| Transliterated:Sheelvanth sabse bada, sab ratnan ki khaan | Teen lok ki Sampada, rahi sheel mein aan || Translation:Modesty is the greatest of virtues, the kind of all jewels|The true wealth of all the worlds…
Open the mind and learn from the world
“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” – Aristotle Kabir – The coupletजाती न पूछो साधू की, पूछ लीजिये ज्ञान | मोल करो तलवार का, पड़ा रहने दो म्यान || Transliterated:Jati na poochho sadhu ki, pooch lijiye gyan | Mol karo talwar ki, pada rehne…
The absence of desire leads to proximity to divinity.
“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” – Paulo Coelho Kabir – The coupletजल में बसे कमोदनी, चंदा बसे आकाश | जो है जा को भावना सो ताहि के पास || Transliterated:Jal mein base kumudini,…
Is desire preventing us from achieving life’s goals?
“To be content with what we possess is the greatest and most secure of riches.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero Kabir – The couplet चाह मिटी, चिंता मिटी मनवा बेपरवाह । जिसको कुछ नहीं चाहिए वह शहनशाह॥ Transliterated: Chaah miti, chinta miti, manwa beparwaah | Jisko kuch nahi chahiye, wah Shahenshah || Translation: Says Kabir –…
This human life is a priceless gift – make the most of it!
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”-Ralph Waldo Emerson Kabir – The coupletरात गंवाई सोय के, दिवस गंवाया खाय |हीरा जन्म अमोल सा, कोड़ी बदले जाय || Transliterated:Raat gawai soye ke, diwas gawaya khaay |Heera janam Anmol saa, koi badale jai || Translation:Says Kabir – you spend…
Worry is an insidious disease that robs you of all energy – to no specific goal.
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”-Dale Carnegie Kabir – The coupletचिंता ऐसी डाकिनी, काट कलेजा खाए ।वैद बेचारा क्या करे, कहा तक दवा लगाए ॥ Transliterated:Chinta aisi dakini, kaat kaleja khaye |Vaidh Bechara kya kare, kahan tak dava lagaye || Translation:Says Kabir – worry is such an insidious disease, eats…
Everything in moderation is the best way forward!
“nāty-aśnatas tu yogo ’sti, na caikāntam anaśnataḥ na cāti-svapna-śīlasya, jāgrato naiva cārjuna” There is no possibility of one’s becoming a yogi, O Arjuna, if one eats too much or eats too little, sleeps too much or does not sleep enough. – Bhagavad Gita 6.16 Kabir – The couplet कामी लज्या न कराइ, मन…
True love is the simplest path to service. And true service is the only path to liberation.
“Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone – we find it with another.” – Thomas Merton Kabir – The couplet कबीर प्रेम न चखिया, चखी न लिया सौ । सूने घर का पहुना, ज्यों आवे त्यों जाउ|| Transliterated: Kabir Prem Na Chakhiya, Chakhi Na Liya…
Seek to give, strive to serve, and receive eternal joy boundlessly!
“I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.” – Kahlil Gibran Kabir – The couplet कागा काको धन हरै, कोयल काको देत | मीठा शब्द सुनाये के , जग अपनो कर लेत।| Transliterated: kaga…
Listen to intuition before reason
“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” – Albert Einstein Kabir – The couplet यह तत वह तत एक है, एक प्राण दुइ गात | अपने जिय से जानिये, मेरे जिय की बात…
Knowledge acquisition does not mean wisdom
“To know that you do not know is the best. To think you know when you do not is a disease. Recognizing this disease as a disease is to be free of it.”- Lao Tzu Kabir – The couplet ज्ञान सम्पूर्ण न भिड़ा, ह्रिदय नाहि जुड़ाय | देखा-देखि भक्ति का, रंग नहीं ठहराय || Transliterated:…
Speak thoughtfully
“Everything you think, feel, say, and do contains seeds of more of itself.” ― Alan Cohen Kabir – The couplet शब्द बराबर धनि नाही, जो कोई जाने बोल | हीरा तो दामों मिले, शब्द ही मोल न तोल || Transliterated: Shabd barabar dhan nahi, jo koi jaane bol | Heera to daamon mile, shabd hi…
Your heart knows who is dear to you
“There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue those.” – Michael Nolan Kabir – The couplet सौ योजन साजन बसे, मानो ह्रदय मंझार | कपट सनेही आंगने, जानू समुन्दर पार || Transliterated: Sau yojan saajan basey, maano hriday manjhaar | KapaT sanehi aangane,…
Let the true self shine through
“When you stop living your life based on what others think of you real life begins. At that moment, you will finally see the door of self-acceptance opened.” – Shannon L. Alder Kabir – The couplet भक्ति भेष बहु अंतरा, जैसे धरणि आकाष | भक्ति लीन गुरु चरण में, भेष जगत की आस || Transliterated:…
Seek not more than you need
“Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction.” – Erich Fromm, Escape From Freedom Kabir – The couplet साधु गाँठ न बंधाई, उदर समाता ले, आगे पाँचें हरी खड़े, जब मांगे तब दे || Transliterated: Sadhu gaanTh na bandhaai, udar samaata le…
Saptaha Deeksha – Sreepada Sreevallabha Charitaamrutam parayana
Doing the 7-day parayanam of Sreepada Sreevallabha Charitaamrutam – feels wonderful! Monday – 7:30 PM – 9:30PM – Chapters 1-6 Tuesday – 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM – Chapters 7-12 Wednesday – 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM- Chapters 13-18 Thursday – 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM – Chapters 19-22 Friday – 7:30 PM – 9:00…
To see the one doing the seeing, I need other than eyes
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”– Col 1:16 Kabir – The couplet जगत जानियो जिहि सकल, सो जग जानियो नाहि । ज्यो आँखें…
To gain the whole, give up hanging onto just a part
“Trust because you are willing to accept the risk, not because it’s safe or certain.” -Anonymous Kabir – The couplet जो तू चाहे मुक्ति को, छोड़ दे सबकी आस । मुक्त ही जैसा हो रहे, सब कुछ तेरे पास ॥ Transliterated: Jo Tu Chaahe Mukti Ko, Chhod De Sabki Aas | Mukt Hi…