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Bhakti Tirtha Swami

76 quotes

“On the average, people spend at least one-third of their lives asleep. While asleep, all of us dream, although we may not remember our dreams. It is important to understand exactly what is occurring while we are in that altered state so that we can use that time of sleep to enhance our functioning in the waking state.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When one's subtle body travels outside of the physical body during the dream state, this experience is sometimes referred to as lucid dreaming. When metaphysicians are able to do this at will, the phenomenon is called astral projection or astral traveling: the ability to consciously leave the physical body and project the subtle body beyond its physical limitations.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There is beauty as well as danger when you deal with the subtle realms. The beauty is that you can have realizations, revelations, and experiences that can carry over into the waking state. The danger is that you can expose yourself to negative influences. There are many positive as well as negative entities that infiltrate one’s consciousness while dreaming or disturb one during astral travel. Often they appear in the form of family members or close friends. There are also beings on the subtle plane that are in the habit of engaging the sleeping person in unwanted sexual activity.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If someone is frequently under attack by negative entities, it is because of a polluted consciousness that needs to be upgraded. A negative entity dislikes visiting a clean mind as much as a rat dislikes going to a clean place. [...] Putting up spiritual paraphernalia around the home and not allowing any negative activity to go on in the environment can help you greatly. This may mean asking friends and loved ones to refrain from drinking, smoking, taking drugs, gossiping, or doing any activity that does not encourage spiritual thought and action.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If your love and devotion are sufficient, you can literally liberate that soul from its state of bondage or incoherence. [...] As a spiritual warrior and light bearer, a loving person can fight such an entity in order to release its soul and send it on its way.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is important to remember that when the body tells you to sleep or rest, it does so because it needs time to rejuvenate itself. Therefore, getting proper rest will help all aspects of existence. [...] Try to eat no later than three hours before lying down. If you want to maximize the nourishing benefits of sleep, you should try to go to bed before 10 p.m.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Sleep can also assist with problem resolution. You would be amazed to know that many major discoveries in human history have resulted from revelations that occur upon arising. People first reflect on a particular problem before resting. During sleep, they concentrate on the problem on an unconscious level. When they awaken, they have the resolution to the conflict or problem.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“No one is a solitary agent. We all have various types of guides who assist us. Most important, there is a form of God in everyone’s heart, and when you put the physical body to rest, you make closer contact with the Lord in the heart and with your higher self.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Keep in mind that the practice of dream interpretation is not generally useful for spiritual advancement. [...] People codify things and events as positive or negative based on culture. Even within a culture there can be variations of codification. Thus, dream analysis by the average person often can lead to confusion due to personal speculation and mental gymnastics.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“As your consciousness becomes more developed, you must become sensitively attuned to your inner and outer environment so you can receive higher knowledge and guidance.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“As you grow spiritually, you will find yourself teaching more as you learn more. Your learning and your teaching will take place even in your sleep.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“… if you really care about someone, you must remain unconcerned about how the person may perceive you. Friends or family members may feel disturbed that you won’t take drugs, drink alcohol, or even eat meat with them, and that you won’t let them do these things in your home. However, remember that caring about other people means that you don’t want to see them do harm to themselves. If a person doesn’t want to associate with you anymore, then you don’t need that kind of association.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“One of the most potent ways to spiritualize the home is to create a sacred space, an altar, or a room used only for meditation, prayer, or spiritual reading. [...] Your sacred place will become an area of high spiritual vibrations which will affect the entire house, thereby attracting pious personalities. Having a sacred space will also remind you that your home belongs to God and that you are simply the caretaker of it.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Just as there are higher beings who spread spiritual messages throughout the atmosphere by means of books, films, music, and other mass media, there are beings of a demonic nature who try to slow down the progress on this planet through these media. Exposure to books and media of this type can have a negative effect on you. [...] To counteract this, some of the beings of a higher nature write books or oversee the writing of books that enhance one’s spiritual development.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Thoughts are saturated with energies that can intrude immediately or hover around you until they have an opportunity to take advantage of you. Thought forms that surround you at a particular moment may wait until a later time to affect you.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Each person is a wholistic being who has a material aspect and a metaphysical aspect, but who is the soul. The problems of the world are so great that they cannot be adressed by looking at just one aspect of our existence. There must be an appropriate marriage between the material, the metaphysical, and the spiritual. This is not only healthy but it is imperative for our survival.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In these discussions we are not asking you to accept anything on blind faith. We are definitely asking that you not immediately reject anything either. We suggest that you do some research for yourself. Just ponder the basic points, investigate them and, most importantly, try to know better how to protect yourself against subtle forces so that you will not become a casualty. If you take these simple steps, you will be one of those who helps to bring about a new era for humankind.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“That is the nature of free will. We have the full ability to make a selection; we can press any button we please. However, when we press a button we have to take responsibility for what happens. The reaction is predestined, but is activated by our choice.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“‎We are responsible for every situation in which we find ourselves.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is important to focus more on what we need than on what we want, because much of what we want unnecessarily complicates our lives. The answer is to approach the Divinity in the mood of. "Thy will be done. Use me for Your purposes." Even higher than that sentiment is to request that God remove our free will so that we cannot even exercise it. We are then fully available for the Lord's service.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There are only two categories of happy people in the material world: fools and transcendentalists. Fools are so oblivious that they manage to convince themselves they are happy in this material prison. Transcendentalists are happy because they can see above the material dualities, and know that their parole is at hand. Everyone else is essentially miserable. This is because calamity in the material world cannot be avoided, just as water cannot be avoided in the ocean.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We cannot understand spiritual realities by scholarship alone. Although study is important, the path to spiritual realization is through dedicated, selfless service. As we offer service to others with no expectation of reward, the Lord in the heart becomes more available to us and provides for our needs—because we have removed the veils that hide the truth.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“On commercial airlines, at takeoff the flight attendants instruct passengers in the use of oxygen masks, reminding them to secure their own masks before assisting others. In the same way, to be effective spiritual warriors we must protect ourselves first. Otherwise we are of no use to anyone. The greatest protection of all comes from our unconditional, unmotivated, uninterrupted devotional service. Such service opens us up to a flow of divine love and protection in all circumstances.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Reflect on these tools as a daily meditation, and make the choice to shift your consciousness:”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“# Treat everyone you encounter as if the success of your spiritual life depends upon the quality of your interactions with them.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“# Reflect upon the person you love the most, and aspire to treat everyone with that same quality of love.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“# View all conflicts as your own fault first.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“# Realize that the people in your present environment might very well be the people with whom you will live out your life, and who will be with you at the time of death.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Spiritual Warrior Checklist:”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“# Sense control and mastery of the mind”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“# Compassion and pridelessness”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“# Material exhaustion and disinterest in material rewards”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“# No idle time”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“# Patience and selflessness”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“# Curiosity and enthusiasm to learn and grow”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“# Surrender to divine will”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Good leadership is not just a matter of making things happen; it is a matter of making essential things happen, making important and productive things happen, and helping people feel good about what is happening. Leaders need to have a vision, but they also need to know how to convince others that their vision can manifest, and how to empower them to participate in the mission of bringing the vision about.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti has given us a detailed analysis of the obstructions to our individual and collective devotional service. He has given us a sublime outline of the stages of progress up to prema [ecstatic love of God]. Now the challenge is before each of us to fully use what he has given us. How blessed we all are to receive this opportunity through the blueprints given by such great acaryas, to facilitate us in returning back to the realm of pure, enchanting, enduring and animated love.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In previous ages, a person could reach perfection through meditation, temple worship or yajnas but in Kali-yuga, we cannot even perform one of the nine-fold activities nicely. Although just one of these nine activities can result in full love of Godhead, we engage in all nine and still have problems. Fortunately Srila Haridasa reveals the holy name as a source of hope in spite of the constant challenges in this Kali-yuga.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We cannot possibly capture reality based on our limited perceptions and insignificant power. Therefore, we want to use our intelligence to sustain the mind properly, in order to prevent it from being dragged under by the senses. We want to use our intelligence to open ourselves up to receiving divine intervention. We want to use our intelligence to truly understand how to become a genuine lover of the Lord.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We see that the spiritual world is characterized by an atmosphere of selflessness and of the animated love of dynamic association. There is an intense mood of appreciation and caring that creates the dynamic synergy of devotees working together on different services which are perfectly Krishna-centered. If we are blessed by Srimati Radharani, it is guaranteed that we will gradually be able to re-enter the land of pure love. If we do not receive Her blessings, it is guaranteed that we will remain disqualified.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Now, my dear Lord, I am completely confused. I have tried to attract You, but I see I have nothing to attract You with. I am a pretender. I want Your kingdom, without You. I am a criminal who has tried to plead innocent, and now I have nowhere to hide, no presentations to make. What am I to do, dear Lord? Then I heard the Lord say: “You have always been, and always will be dear to Me, but you do not believe it. Therefore you separate us by being an enemy to yourself. Come on, My child, and experience what it is to be fully dear to Me.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“By the mercy of the Lord, you have been given a guru, so your selflessness is simply a matter of serving your guru with more love and care. Give up all of your individualized desires and live for his pleasure, as he lived and lives for you.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Immediately I felt the weight of my deficiencies, and realized how polluted my consciousness had become. The voice continued speaking, giving me a welcome distraction. “Despite your many deficiencies, I have been drawn to you by the intensity of your greed and desperation for transcendence. In fact, I have been sanctioned by higher authority to reveal your shortcomings to you. I therefore beg you to listen closely, for this is a rare opportunity that may not come again for many lifetimes.” “I braced myself for a rude awakening…”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Being in a material body means that we are eager to enjoy sense gratification and other imaginings of the false ego. Sickness can help raise us out of the bodily conception by putting us deeply into bodily suffering. Thus, sickness can be one of the greatest boons from God.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Selflessness is the ingredient most lacking in today’s world, because people misunderstand the purpose and principle behind this wonderful science. Genuine selflessness is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“My mentor continued: Selflessness doesn’t mean to give up pursuing adventurous goals, but rather to attach ourselves to transcendental goals. Actual selflessness means we must genuinely access humility and submissiveness. This can be very scary, because we normally identify humility and submissiveness with low self esteem.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Life is full of meaning and opportunities for growth. When we are mindful of the beauty and accomplishments of the past, even when the present or future is not exactly what we would like it to be, we will not be disturbed. We will still be excited about the past and appreciative for the present. In this way, the future will be even more auspicious because we create our futures by how we have dealt with the past and how we are dealing with the present. Being always refl ective, mindful, and grateful allows us to never forget how much the Supreme Lord is sending His love in different ways.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“# Treat each person with the bhakti and care as if the success or failure of your own spiritual life depends on this. Do not take into concern how they treat you. The manner in which you treat people is the same way you are treating Guru and Krishna.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“# Anytime there is a problem in a relationship, you should first see it as your own fault. Even if others are to blame, you will only add to the problem by considering them to be at fault.”
Bhakti Tirtha Swami (1950–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source