From My Spiritual Diary-11:

· Highest knowledge, devotion, spirituality – these can only be acquired through great self-effort, One has to struggle hard to win them. Then only do they become one’s own and enduring., filling the mind with joy unspeakable. None can make a gift of these to another. Spiritual practice has to be diligently performed. Then only can realization be attained. The degree varies with the intensity of spiritual effort. What is gained without discipline or hard labour loses its gravity, is not highly valued, and does not bring the happiness earned by hard struggle. Moreover, it goes away as easily as it comes, and it is of little use when we are buffeted by the angry billows of life. In dangers and difficulties, in trials and tribulations, it is swept away altogether. To make spirituality one’s own means saturating oneself thoroughly in the idea of the realization of the Self so that one’s nature is wholly changed and an entirely new personality is developed. It is like being reborn again in this very body. Such a thing is possible only if one is wide awake and strives for it to the utmost, as if one’s whole life is at stake. Thus one must continue spiritual practices without interruption and with single-minded devotion as long as the goal is not achieved. (Swami Vrajananda)

· A kind look, a cheering word, a helping hand, -- these are much more valuable than tons of preaching and empty worship.

· Where there is selflessness, there God’s grace works wonders.