Small Sayings with Great Power

by Smt. Susmita Devi

Sadguru Sri Sri Babathakur very appropriately formulated some east-to-remember aphorisms as means to implant definite attitudes in the minds of devotees so that they pop up instinctively whenever needed (even as one goes along with the hustle and bustle of daily life).  He called them 'formulas'. 

I have over and again made a note of several of them.  For example, my first one was 'Fourfold A' (accept, adjust, accommodate to reach the Absolute). I greatly appreciate how much subtle knowledge can be conveyed in such few words.  The subsequently listed aphorisms are internet messages gathered from a friend.  For example, a similar formula of 'A' picked up from the internet goes:  "It is simple to make someone happy.  Just give them Attention and Affection".

I assume many spiritual seekers consciously use such aphorisms extensively, because long lectures are difficult to remember for common people, for whom the mind is greatly preoccupied with daily struggles to make ends meet and care for the family. I recently became aware that the electronic media could help, and some were noted to enhance my understanding/awareness and enable me to expand the mind capacity. The basic training of Sri Sri Babathakur has helped me often in life, and the following quotations may also be absorbed in the spirit of generosity of the Divine Knowledge transformed to easy aphorisms

•  If you want to be successful, you must respect one rule: Never to lie to yourself
• Having a soft heart in a cruel world is courage, not weakness
• You are strong when you know your weaknesses, and beautiful when you appreciate your flaws
• You are wise hen you learn from your mistakes
• Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times - if you only remember to turn on the light
• However Many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you don’t act upon them? The greatest advantage of speaking the truth is, that you don’t have to remember what you said
• Happiness can’t be traveled to, owned, earned or worn. It is he spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude
• Peace begins when expectations end
• Humility is the ability to give up your pride and still retain your dignity
• A person can become so determined to destroy another person, that they become blind and end up destroying themselves
•  When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening, that’s where your power is
• Never forget the powerful resources you always have available to you: Love, prayer and forgiveness
• I’m thankful for my struggle, because without it, I wouldn’t have stumbled across my strength (Alex Elle)
• Intuition is the GPS of the soul
• Something will grow from all you are going through, and it will be you
• Don’t let your loyalty become slavery. Know when to let go and never compromise on self-respect (womensworking.com)
• Never think that what you have to offer is insignificant. There will always be someone out there that needs what you have to give
• A truth can walk naked, but a lie always need to be dressed (Kalil Gibran Rumi)
• It is not important in life, that who is ‘ahead’ of us, or who is behind us. What truly matters in life is who is with us
• Talent is God-given – be humble

It is rather difficult to be truly humble and wise, for the little self (ahankar) easily rebels when put in harness.  As long as the inherent ego dominates, we are often humbled by others. However one must practice/absorb/remember the above aphorisms in daily life to develop a more Sattvic attitude in the midst of the hassles of daily life. I have a copy of these aphorisms put up in a visible place that I pass several times in the course of a day to help me remember. Pick one or two of these aphorisms to memorize daily.