A small collection of quotes on purity of mind based on Hindu teachings.
One cannot see God without purity of heart. Through attachment to woman and gold the mind has become stained – covered with dirt, as it were. A magnet cannot attract a needle if the needle is covered with mud. Wash away the mud and the magnet will draw it. Likewise, the dirt of the mind can be washed away with the tears of our eyes. This stain is removed if one sheds tears of repentance and says, ‘O God, I shall never again do such a thing.’ There upon God, who is like the magnet, draws Himself the mind, which is like the needle. (The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, 173 – 4).
The mind’s true home is the natural purity and simplicity of Reality. This primordial abode must never for a moment be forgotten as we carry out our multileveled responsibilities for humankind. (Sri Ramakrishna)
One cannot see God without purity of heart. Through attachment to woman and gold the mind has become stained – covered with dirt, as it were. A magnet cannot attract a needle if the needle is covered with mud. Wash away the mud and the magnet will draw it. Likewise, the dirt of the mind can be washed away with the tears of our eyes. This stain is removed if one sheds tears of repentance and says, ‘O God, I shall never again do such a thing.’ There upon God, who is like the magnet, draws Himself the mind, which is like the needle. (The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, 173 – 4).
The mind’s true home is the natural purity and simplicity of Reality. This primordial abode must never for a moment be forgotten as we carry out our multileveled responsibilities for humankind. (Sri Ramakrishna)
Where is God? He is where the world is not. If you wish to
go to God, you must turn your back on the world. The senses must be controlled
and turned in the opposite direction. God is seated in the heart; so all your
sense energies and mental energies must converge to that one point and take you
there. But this can be done only when you realize that He is the best, the
highest, in the whole universe. (Swami Ramakrishnananda)
The purer the mind, the easier it is to control. Purity of
the mind must be insisted upon if you would control it. … Perfect morality is
the all in all of complete control over mind. The man who is perfectly moral
has nothing more to do; he is free. (Swami Vivekananda)
Those who give themselves up to the Lord do more for the world than all the so-called workers. One man who has purified himself thoroughly accomplishes more than a regiment of preachers. Out of purity and silence comes the word of power. (Swami Vivekananda)
Purity of life is the highest and truest art. (Mahatma Gandhi)
Those who give themselves up to the Lord do more for the world than all the so-called workers. One man who has purified himself thoroughly accomplishes more than a regiment of preachers. Out of purity and silence comes the word of power. (Swami Vivekananda)
Purity of life is the highest and truest art. (Mahatma Gandhi)
Purity is the goal of all spiritual practices
Change is the changeless law of life. We cannot help change but we can learn to adjust ourselves to change. The secret lies in how to adjust, what to hold on and what to let go. An understanding of essentials and non-essentials is what is needed. This alone can make us live spiritual life in right earnest.
All changes notwithstanding, essentials of spirituality remain unchanged and they will remain for times to come. Yes, a restatement and rewording of these essentials may be needed but no alteration is required with the essentials.
What are the essentials of living a spiritual life? Or the most essential condition for spirituality? Purity. Purity of what we want is important and if we want God we are on the right path. It is this purity of intention or seeking that finally leads the formation of a pure character which is what spirituality finally leads one to.
This is the goal of all spiritual practices — purity.
Source – Vedanta Kesari Editorial December 2014