Quotes

“Thy jurisdiction is in action alone:
Never in its fruits at any time.
Never should the fruits of action be thy motive.
Never let there be attachment in thee to inaction.
Fixed in Yoga, perform actions,
Letting go of attachment,
Having become equal minded to success or failure.
It is said that Equanimity is Yoga.”
Bhagavad Gita II.47-48


The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita
Mahatma Gandhi supposedly read this passage every morning. The Gita’s age old advice is to be whole hearted in your action, clear in your intention and not attached to the outcome. As humans, we cause ourselves so much suffering by trying to control the results that show up in life. The results belong to the Universe, to Nature, call it what you will. The only things we have “jurisdiction” over are the actions we consciously choose, and the reactions we react to. Wisdom comes with subtle self-observation without judgment, being equal minded to all our sensations, thoughts, plans and ideas of who we think we are.




Tentative efforts lead to tentative outcomes. Therefore give yourself fully to your endeavors. Decide to construct your character through excellent actions and determine to pay the price of a worthy goal. The trials you encounter will introduce you to your strengths. Remain steadfast…and one day you will build something that endures; something worthy of your potential.
Epictetus 55-135 A.D.




Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? – Mary Oliver



How we spend our days is how we spend our lives. – Annie Dillard