Hello

I am creating a thread for everyone and anyone to share any inspirational quotes, phrases, poems, any other quotes, that either make sense to you or agree with you or believe in it, it doesn't matter which of the three just share them if you like :-)
The reason I have created this interest in interfaith is because whatever you bring across can be from anywhere and everywhere, it doesn't have to be religious based from scriptures either. I, myself don't have many from religion/scriptures but from other varied places and people.
If you like if anyone wants something just for religion solely, mostly islam and christianity then perhaps you can make a new thread :-) but you can still put the odd ones here, I just like to this to be across the board from anyone and everywhere, hence 'Interfaith'.
I just want people to join in something that is light hearted and fun and not be at each others throat telling we don't like this, telling each other what to do or attacking people just because they may be different, this is crap or boring -- I am going to take it upon myself to moderate this thread and If I see the likes of any attacking or something along the lines that is going to disrupt this thread I will ask the moderators to delete it! and believe me I mean it! If you so intent on saying something then take it to another thread! but please leave this thread for everyone to share their stuff from wherever and from whomever and to join in something that is perhaps different and enjoyable and 'if want' perhaps discuss their stuff that is you if you want - in a friendly polite manner :-)
These are the rules! :-)
Now that is cleared, lets start :-)

P.S: I created this thread at the old forum and to help move it along with new activity, it was slow at the time. So now I have brought it across to continue with it, for those who wish to post their stuff/interest/contributions in this area. First I will repost what has been contributed so far

Enjoy!

Peace
Angel.

"Don't knock the weather. If it didn't change once in a while, nine out of ten people couldn't start a conversation."
~Kin Hubbard

I so love this one :-))

"Remember, no matter where you go, there you are."
~Earl Mac Rauch

-------------
~ Our feet are earthbound, but our hearts and our minds have wings ~

From: Suleyman,

FIND PERFECT PEACE
Knowledge is to understand
To understand who you are.
If you know not who you are
What's the use of learning?

The aim in learning is
To understand God's Truth.
Because without knowledge
It is wasted hard labour.

Do not say: I know it all,
I am obedient to my God.
If you know not who God is
That is sheer idle talk.

Twenty-eight syllables
You read from end to end.
You name the first aleph
What can it possibly mean?

Yunus Emre says also
Let me receive what I need.
The best possible thing
Is to find perfect peace.

Yunus Emre (1238-1321)
Translated by Taner Baybars
(poem in Turkish)

A SINGLE WORD

A single word can brighten the face
of one who knows the value of words.
Ripened in silence, a single word
acquires a great energy for work.

War is cut short by a word,
and a word heals the wounds,
and there's a word that changes
poison into butter and honey.

Let a word mature inside yourself.
Withhold the unripened thought.
Come and understand the kind of word
that reduces money and riches to dust.

Know when to speak a word
and when not to speak at all.
A single word turns a universe of hell
into eight paradises.

Follow the Way. Don't be fooled
by what you already know. Be watchful.
Reflect before you speak.
A foolish mouth can brand your soul.

Yunus, say one last thing
about the power of words�
Only the word "I"
divides me from God.


Poem 11 from Yunus Emre's
The Drop that Became the Sea
Translated by Kabir Helminski & Refik Algan

From: Suleyman

THE INNER MAN
The inner man knows no worries on this path.
The inner heart does not know death.

Bodies perish, but not the soul. Those who are gone don't return.
Bodies are for dying. That's not what a soul is for.

The heart will never find the pearl it seeks,
even in a thousand years, unless it's given.

Be careful, your Beloved's heart is easily broken.
Such fine crystal once shattered is never restored.

And unless you put your cup to the fountain,
even in a thousand years it won't be filled.

Both Khidr* and Elias drank the water of life.
These days they are not dead.

The world was made for the sake of the Prophet and his friendship.
Those who come to this world do not remain.

Yunus, today while you have eyes to see, do what you must.
Those who attain do not come back.


* Khidr in Islamic tradition is an immortal who may appear
in human form to give help and guidance to those in need.

Poem 43 from Yunus Emre's
The Drop that Became the Sea

From: Janah

(by Sabri)

A woman was waiting at the airport one night,
With several long hours before her flight.
She hunted for a book in the airport shop,
Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop.

She was engrossed in her book, but happened to see,
That the man beside her, as bold as could be,
Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag between,
Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene

She read, munched cookies, and watched the clock,
As the gustly "cookie thief" diminished her stock
She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by,
Thinking, "If I wasn't so nice, I'd blacken his eye!"

With each cookie she took, he took one too.
When only one was left, she wondered what he'd do.
with a smile on his face and a nervous laugh,
He took the last cookie and broke it in half.

He offered her half, and he ate the other.
She snatched it from him and thought, "Oh brother,
This guy has some nerve, and he's also so rude,
Why, he didn't even show any gratitude!"

She had never known when she had been so galled,
And sighed with relief when her flight was called.
She gathered her belongings and headed for the gate,
Refusing to look at the "thieving ingrate".

She boarded the plane and sank in her seat,
Then sought her book, which was almost complete.
As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise.
There were her bag of cookies in front of her eyes!

"If mine are here," she moaned with despair.
"Then the others were his and he tried to share!"
Too late to apologize, she realized with grief,
That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief!!!!

From: Suleyman

Untitled XXVI
by Yunus Emre (bookmark) (print) (next)
In Category: Philosophy, Spiritual, Eastern.
Author Category: Asian. Show lines.


The mature ones are a sea.
A lover is needed to take the plunge,
a diver to bring up a pearl.
When you have brought
the pearl to the surface,
a jeweler is needed to know its worth.

Stay on the road until you arrive.
Be speechless. Don't become a salesman.
Find an 'Ali to follow.

Muhammed knew Truth in himself.
Truth is present everywhere.
You only need eyes to see it.

Ask your daily sustenance from Truth,
the only Apportioner. Find someone
who is master of his ego.

The lovers asked me to sing.
Someone without greed is needed
to complete what is started.

Sufi, who are you kidding?
Can anyone but Truth
satisfy a human need?

Truth's place is in the heart.
There is a verse in the Quran-In soul
love has a tower higher than the throne of Creation.

I've gone crazy on this Way.
I can't tell day from night.
The arrow of Love has pierced my heart.

Come, poor Yuns, come,
hold the hands of the mature.
In their humility is a cure.

From: Janah

Don't Die Without Her
By: Author Unknown

In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.
Have you heard about the love story
Between the Muslim man and HER?
She accompanied him all the way to Glory;
Many ups and downs, yet they were together.
His life for her was an easy and desired sacrifice.
She was so invaluable, she had no price.
For him she was the greatest of God-sent gifts.
In gratefulness he daily prays and his hands he lifts.
Many have tried to steal her and snatch her from him.
Yet he managed with much pain to save her for all for him.
Often, when he faults, she rebukes him for not being faithful,
For deserving to be punished, just to make him more mindful.
Have you heard about the love story
Between the Muslim man and HER?
She accompanied him all the way to Glory;
At times happy at times sad, yet they were together.
Finally, Death knocked at his door, asking for his departure
>From this ephemeral world, bound to an eternal adventure.
Towards the dark and fearful grave he had to transit at once.
Far from this world and all he had, far from his dear ones.
O my respected father, may I request your company,
To guide and reassure me on such a difficult journey?
To construct your world my son, I have toiled night and day,
My mission stops here, you have now to go your own way!
O loving and caring mother, will you come with me?
How can you let me go away alone, won't you miss me?
Son, I gave you birth, and for you dedicated my life, pain after pain,
I wish to come with you, if only I could, but I fear it will be in vain!
Through ups and downs you have been my partner, O faithful wife.
Won't you be faithful another time, and come along, down to that other life?
That is but the unshakable course of destiny, O my beloved husband,
My responsibility is not yet withdrawn, I have yet other things at hand!
O my wealth, I amassed you for a whole life, day after day, piece by piece.
Come with me dear down there, and buy me some precious peace.
Are you foolish enough, O man, to trust me? Don't you see how I lead astray?
Farewell from far! I have other hearts to conquer and still others to betray!
Sons, relatives, friends, to all he turned, and their company he did request,
None could accompany the poor man, even if in convincing them he tried his
best.
Wait!!! There is one here who willingly came with him, as faithful as ever,
It was HER, smiling and comforting him, saying she will save him forever.
Have you heard about the love story
Between the Muslim man and HER?
She accompanied him all the way to Glory;
Even after his death, they were together.
She brought along with her in the tomb lots of presents,
Useful and strong weapons against the grave's torments.
But for his sins he had to pay; many of his duties he had neglected in mirth.
He finally had to burn in hellfire, for God's wrath he had attired on earth.
Humiliated and distressed, he was thrown in blazing fire.
For years immemorial he had flames as abode, and God's ire.
And guess whom he had as company? It was still HER!
"Why are you here?", he asked. I don't find this place for you proper.
How can I leave you alone and distressed, O faithful Muslim,
When you never left my company, even when life was dim?
For me you struggled night and day, be it against yourself.
You got hurt and wounded, just to kill of yours that evil self.
I have been the bridge between you and your Lord,
And a means to offer for His sake all you can afford.
If I leave you here, while hell will forever chastise,
Then who will make you taste the bliss of paradise?
The man was finally graced and purified for eternity
Only because he was in such an auspicious company.
He was blessed by the satisfaction of the Most Clement;
And forever he lived in paradise, in unimaginable merriment.
Have you heard about the love story
Between the Muslim man and HER?
She accompanied him all the way to Glory;
He went to paradise only because they were together.
SHE is the only means to paradise, so look for her charms.
Keep her company always, and make sure you die in her arms.
You ask who she is, and where you can find HER?
'Eemaan' she is called, FAITH. Don't die without HER!

To Western Women
By: Aisha

When you look at me
all you can see
Is the scarf that covers my hair
My word you can't hear
Because you're too full of fear,
Mouth gaping, all you do is stare.
You think it's not my own choice,
In your own "liberation" you rejoice.
You're so thankful that you're not me.
You think I'm uneducated,
Trapped, oppressed and subjugated.
You're so thankful that you are free.
But Western women you've got it wrong-
You're the weak and I'm the strong,
For I've rejected the trap of man.
Fancy clothes - low neck, short skirt,
These are devices for pain and hurt,
Always jumping to the male agenda,
Competing on his terms.
No job share, no baby-sitting facilities,
No feeding and diaper-changing amenities.
No equal pay for equal skill-
Your job they can always fill.
Is this liberation?
A person with ideas and thought,
I'm not for sale, I can't be bought.
I won't decorate anyone's arm,
Nor be promoted for my charm.
There's more to me than playing coy.
Living life as a balancing game -
Mother, daughter, wife, nurse, cleaner, cook, lover -
And still bring home a wage.
Who thought up this modern
"freedom"
Where man can love 'em and man can leave 'em.
This is not free but life in a cage.
Western women you can have your life.
Mine - it has less strife.
I cover and I get respected
Surely that's to be expected -
For I won't demean the feminine
I won't live to a male criterion.
I dance to my own tune,
And I hope you see this very soon,
For your own sake - wake up and use your sight!
Are you so sure that you are right?

From: DavidC

The Seal of Prophets, Sayyidina Muhammad, peace be
upon him, imparted this good advice to mankind: "If you
awaken in the morning and find that you are lacking
nothing in the way of material sustenance, and that you
and your family are in good health, then don't burden
yourself with worry".

God is holy, not religious.

From: Janah

My Greatest Need is You
Your hope in my heart is the rarest treasure
Your Name on my tongue is the sweetest word
My choicest hours
Are the hours I spend with You --
O Allah, I can't live in this world
Without remembering You--
How can I endure the next world
Without seeing Your face?
I am a stranger in Your country
And lonely among Your worshippers:
This is the substance of my complaint.

Rabi'ah al Adawiyya

From: Nausheen

"Before" does not outstrip Him,
"after" does not interrupt Him
"of" does not vie with Him for precedence
"from" does not accord with Him
"to" does not join with Him
"in" does not inhabit Him
"when" does not stop Him
"if" does not consult with Him
"over" does not overshadow
Him "under" does not support Him
"opposite" does not face Him
"with" does not press Him
"behind" does not limit Him
"previous" does not display Him
"after" does not cause Him to pass away
"all" does not unite Him
"is" does not bring Him into being
"is not" does not deprive Him from Being.
Concealment does not veil Him
His pre-existence preceded time,
His being preceded non-being,
His eternity preceded limit.
If thou sayest 'when',
His existing has outstripped time;
If thou sayest 'before', before is after Him;
If thou sayest 'he', 'h' and 'e' are His creation;
If thou sayest 'how', His essence is veiled from description;
If thou sayest 'where', His being preceded space;
If thou sayest 'ipseity' (ma huwa),
His ipseity (huwiwah) is apart from things.
Other than He cannot
be qualified by two (opposite) qualities at
one time; yet With Him they do not create opposition.
He is hidden in His manifestation,
manifest in His concealing.
He is outward and inward,
near and far; and in this respect He is
removed beyond the resemblance of creation.
He acts without contact,
instructs without meeting,
guides without pointing.
Desires do not conflict with Him,
thoughts do not mingle with Him:
His essence is without qualification (takyeef),
His action without effort (takleef).

-By Mansur Al Hallaj, translation: A.J. Arberry

"To be a star, you must shine your own light, follow
your own path and don't worry about the darkness for
that is when stars shine the brightest."
~Unknown


�Life is like an onion; you peel off one layer at a time and sometimes you weep�

"The fly cannot be driven away by getting angry at it."
- African proverb


"If you�re yearning for the good old days, just turn off the air conditioning."
- Griff Niblack


"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."
- Leonard Cohen

Instant Lesson

A huge, rough samurai once went to see a little monk, hoping to acquire the secrets of the universe.

"Monk," he said, in a voice accustomed to instant obedience. "teach me about heaven and hell."

The little monk looked up at the mighty warrior in silence. Then, after a moment, he said to the samurai with utter disdain, "Teach YOU about heaven and hell? I couldn't teach you about anything. You're dirty. You smell. Your blade is rusty. you're a disgrace, an embarrassment to the samurai class. Get out of my sight at once. I can't stand you!"

The samurai was furious. He began to shake all over from the anger that raced through him. A red flush spread over his face; he was speechless with rage. Quickly, menacingly, he pulled out his sword and raised it above his head, preparing to slay the monk.

"That's hell." said the little monk quietly.

The samurai was overwhelmed. Stunned. The compassion and surrender of this little man who had offered his life to give this teaching about hell! He slowly lowered his sword, filled with gratitude, and for reasons he could not explain his heart became suddenly peaceful.

"And that's heaven," said the monk softly.

~Zen story~

From: Janah

Your Love
Vicki Gaudreau

Thank you, Lord, for finding me
A way out of the misery
You showed me Love
And taught me how to feel
Now I am free
I know Your Love that heals

I have my dreams, You gave them life
I need only follow Your guiding Light
To let go of ego, Become as a child
To know the Joy of Your Love

Lord, what more can I ask of You
You've shown me more than I ever knew
You gave me Hope when I had nothing left
Now, dear Lord, I want to give to You

Oh, what have I but my heart & soul
Lord, they're Yours, please take control
You know the Way, so please guide my path
Thank you, Lord, I am free at last.

Cry, Cry, Cry
By: Jaihoon

'Cry, cry and cry
Ah! your Lord is indeed seeing you cry!'
So many roses are coming in praise,
A single thorn is making my pain rise.
Everywhere around is the sound of fame,
From a silent corner is daunt of shame
What is there in my power?
That I can change-
The color of this aversive flower.
Everywhere in the garden,
Is the talk of this Nightingale.
But this Rose still does contain,
Me among the dwellers of hell.
My world is full of joy
Yet I don't know why I cry
No matter what I try
My eyes are not getting dry.
My heart was shattered
In pieces was it scattered
When with the Shining Sword
Was I badly battered.
What is the worth of all the success I have had
When in those Fearful Eyes I am seen like a devil bad.
For gold and riches,
Have I no appeal.
Yes, my love for those Him-Loving Eyes-
Ah! This I wish not to conceal.
For hours and hours
I was in tears...
Looking for one among my folks
A caring heart that my sorrow hears.
A voice then came from my dear mentor
Much relief did it for me render-
'Cry, cry Jaihoon
Cry, cry my little one...
Your Lord is indeed seeing you cry!
He is not deaf or blind
Towards every slave
Is He unbelievably kind.
With the warmth of every tear
That like blood flows is He familiar
'Cry, cry and cry
And let your eyes be never dry.
First melt heart your own
With the fruits of what I've sown
The remedy for rest
From Him will be shown.

From: Janah

Allah's Love

One day, I woke up early in the morning to watch the sunrise.
Ah, the beauty of God's creation is beyond description.
As I watched, I praised God for the beautiful work.
As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.

He asked me, "Do you love me ?"
I answered, "Of course God! You are my Lord!"
Then He asked,"If you were physically handicapped,
would you stil love me ?"
I was perplexed.I looked down upon my arms,
legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things
I wouldn't be able to do, the things I took for granted.
And I answered, "It would be tough Lord,
but I would still love you."

Then the Lord said,"If you were blind,
would you still love my creation?"
How could I love something without being able to see it ?
Then I thought of all the blind people in the world
and how many of them still loved God and his creation.
So I answered, "Its hard to think of it, but I would still love you."


The Lord then asked me,"If you were deaf,
would you still listen to my word ?"
How could I listen to anything, being deaf ?
Then I understand.Listening to God's word is
not merely using our ears but our hearts.
I answered, "It would be tough but
I would still listen to your words,"

The Lord then asked,"If you were mute,
would you still praise my Name?"
How could I praise without a voice ?
Then it occured to me:God wants us to sing
from our very heart and soul.
It never matters what we sound like.
So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing,
I would still praise your Name."

And the Lord asked,"Do you really love me ?"
With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly,
"Yes Lord!
I love you because you are the one and true God!"
I thought that I had answered well, but God asked,
"Then why do you sin?"
I answered, "Because I am only human, I am not perfect."

"Then why do in times of peace you stray the furthest ?
And why only in times of trouble do you pray the earnest ?"
No answer. Only tears.

The Lord continued:Why only pray at fellowships and retreats ?
Why seek me only in times of worship ?
Why ask things so selfishly?
Why ask things so unfaithfully ?
The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

Why are you ashamed of Me ?
Why are you not spreading the good news ?
Why in times of presecution, you cry to others
when I offer My shoulders to cry on ?
Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name ?
I tried to answer but there was no answer to give.

You are blessed with life.
I made you not throw this gift away.
I have blessed you with talents to serve me,
but you continue to turn away.
I have revealed My word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge.
I have spoken to you, but your ears were closed.
I have shown my blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away.
I have sent you servants, but you sat idly as they were pushed away.
I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all.
Do you truly love Me ?

I could not answer.
How could I ?
I was embarrased beyond belief.
I had no excuse.
What could I say to this ?


When my heart had cried out, and the tears had flowed,
I said, "Please forgive me Lord.
I am unworthy to be your servant."
The Lord answered,"That is my grace, my servant."
I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me ?
Why do you love me so ?

The Lord answered, "Because you are my creation.
I will never abandon you.
When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you.
When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you.
When you are down, I will encourage you.
When you fall, I will raise you up.
When you are tired, I will carry you.
I will be with you till the end of the days
and I will love you forever."
Never had I cried so hard before.
How could I have been so cold.
And for the first time, I truly prayed.

by:Anonymous

this was written sometime ago and not so sure of the statistics but it still demostrates how lucky some of us are

Blessings

Sent in by Saffy

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness...

You are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation.....

You are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death....

You are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep....

You are richer than 75% of the world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet and spare change in a dish someplace....

You are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.

If your parents are still alive and still married....

You are very rare.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful....

You are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the should...

You are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

"The essence of health is inner balance."
- Andrew Weil

"What experience & history teach is this: that people & governments have never learned anything from history".

~Please dont frown! For you never know who may be falling in love with your smile!~

"Develop interest in life

as you see it - in people,

things, literature, music!

The world is so rich,

simply throbbing with

rich treasures, beautiful

souls and interesting

people. Forget yourself."

-- Henry Miller

May you have

Enough happiness to keep you sweet,

Enough trails to keep you strong,

Enough sorrow to keep you human,

Enough hope to keep you happy,

Enough failure to keep you humble,

Enough success to keep you eager,

Enough friends to give you comfort,

Enough wealth to meet your needs,

Enough enthusiasm to look forward,

Enough faith to banish depression,

Enough determination to make each day

better than yesterday.

~No author mentioned~

Angel,

Thanks for the inspirations!  Here is a favorite of mine:

by Veronica A. Shoffstall

After a while you learn the subtle difference

Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning

And company doesn't mean security,

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts

And presents aren't promises,

And you learn to accept your defeats

With your head up and your eyes open

With the grace of a woman not the grief of a child,

And you learn to build your roads on today

Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans

And futures have a way of falling down in midflight.

After a while you learn that even sunshine burns too much.

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,

Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure...

That you really are strong.

And you really do have worth,

And you learn and learn...

With every good-bye you learn.

Peace, ummziba.

"The important thing is to have a good heart, a sense of caring for one another, a sense of community, a sense of humanity. Without these values, a person will not be happy, there will always be some frustrations inside. If you are a believer in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and also if you are a non-believer in any religion, you can still have these values I am not promoting Buddhism. I try to promote human values to promote a happier and more peaceful human society."

-- The Dalai Lama --

"The essence of all spiritual life is your emotion, your attitude towards others. Once you have pure and sincere motivation, all the rest follows. Compassion and human affection: I call these human qualities spirituality."

-- The Dalai Lama --

"Even if only a few individuals try to create mental peace and happiness within themselves, and act responsibly and kind-heartedly towards others, they will have a positive influence in their community."

-- The Dalai Lama --

"When a man understands who he is, who God is, who the devil is ... then he can pick himself up out of the gutter, he can clean himself up and stand up like a man should before his God."

Malcolm X

i resolve to know nothing more but christ and christ crucified

paul...apostle of God

Seeking Inner Peace and Happiness these phrases might help

�       

�    Accept whatever comes your way with a warm heart.

�    Never criticize other religious beliefs, but always try to find the truth in different traditions.

�    Eat what you can, can what you can�t.

�    Always help others, in joy or in sorrow.

�    Show your love and compassion to everybody, without expecting anything in return.

�    Always be honest and true to your own heart, but don�t expect honesty from anyone.

�    Always be patient.

�    Be aware of everything and everybody around you.

�    Don�t depend on anybody, but do depend on your own skills and wisdom.

�    Make a plan before you embark on any project.

�    Always be positive.

�    Harbour a good intention before performing good actions.

�    Don�t believe anything or anybody unless your heart allows you to feel it deeply.

�    Practise living through giving.

�    Practise letting go.

�    Love everyone alike.

�    Admit your fault if you have committed any errors, and thank those who point them out to you. If you have done nothing wrong, carefully consider the intention of those who criticize you, and regard their misunderstanding with sympathy.

�    Forgive and forget others mistakes.

�    Don�t remove the person; remove the fault.

�    Ask the opinion of others around you before doing something, and even afterwards.

�    Take what you are fit for, leave what you are not fit for.

�    Take what you can � leave what you can�t.

�    Do what you can � leave what you can�t

�    Do not run from difficulties � try to learn from them instead.

�    Take what is good � leave what is not.

�    Do not judge until you finish the job.

�    Respect others irrespective of caste, colour, race or religion.

�    Find the goodness in the heart even of those who seem bad.

�    Practise giving to everybody, without expecting anything in return.

�    Don�t speak ill of others. If you cannot speak well of them, maintain noble silence.

�    Never aim to persuade but rather to contribute.

�    Never force to accept; rather show the path.

�    Don�t do big things; start with small things.

�    Never ask to come and believe; rather ask to come and see.

�    Never try to prove; try to approve.

�    Never order; rather request.

�    Never argue over matters, but do discuss them.

�    Manage your time � and do one thing at a time.

�    Treat all alike who come to see you.

�    Mind your own duty; not that of others.

�    Have no expectations of anybody.

�    Don�t compete; rather cooperate.

�    Take a breath gently and let it out slowly when you are under stress.

Sorry forgot to mention that this is someone elses good work

Author Unknown

The Great Spirit

sketches out the path of life roughly

for all the creatures on earth,

shows them where to go,

where to arrive at,

but leaves them to find their own way to get there.

He wants them to act independently

according to their nature.

~  Lame Deer

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.

It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.

We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.

~  Albert Schweitzer

The Religion of the Future 

The religion of the future will be a cosmic religion.

It should transcend personal God and avoid dogma and theology.

Covering both the natural and the spiritual, it should be based on a religious sense arising from the experience of all things natural and spiritual as a meaningful unity.

~  Albert Einstein

The Spiritual Quest

The quest for meaning begins with an inner awareness that there is more to life than physical existence. Something unformed and uncomprehended stirs deep within each of us, and over it the spirit hovers restlessly until we make a response. The response is one of yearning: a desire to love the infinite love, a desire to reach for truth, wisdom and understanding, and a desire to aspire to the harmony of a wholeness that we but dimly perceive. Once we have embarked on the quest, the search will be lifelong, for there is no end and it will call from us all that which is most noble in the human spirit.

~ Pauline M. Rudd

~ Brooke Medicine Eagle

We are the Messiah, the Prophets, the Manifestations of God and the People of Spirit a Living Messiah in the Multitudes not one of us but all of us.  We are all Messengers of God and People of Spirit.  We are all equally responsible for the care and well being of each other and the World.....

Anne Marie Elderkin-Habibi

LIVING GALLERIES

Rainforest

I am caught

up in your magic.

How

I long

to wander forever

through your corridors,

to stop and wander

at your galleries

of living

sun-drenched treasures,

all encased

in liquid thought.

By Steve Parish

Sufferings and troubles actually

Help to strengthen one�s spirit.

So, smile and welcome each and every happening.

Step forward, forward, forward in calm repose.

Each step will bring us to the point of destination

No matter how far,

We needn�t worry.

Be firm on each stand and each step,

So that our heart is not loaded with hardship.

Left, and then right, and we will be there.

Poem from Bhikku Phra Ajan

Bismillah,

Maybe I will die tomorrow, so today I willl show love and compassion to my children.

One of my favorite quotes that actually helped me along the path is very simple in comparison to the many long (but rather good) quotes already put into this thread.

You've no idea how hard I've looked for a gift to bring You.

Nothing seemed right.

What is the point of bringing gold to a goldmine or water to the ocean?

Everything I came up with was like taking spices to the Orient.

It's no good giving my heart and soul because you already have these.

So- I've brought you a mirror.

Look at Yourself and remember me.

~Jalaluddin Rumi~ (May Allah be pleased with him)

firewall wrote: PS: not sure if poetry is ok or not in Islam. but this is purely in remembrance of Allah, so I hope it's allright.

Poetry is good. The Prophet himself enjoyed listening to it at times. But of course, it's the content that counts, right?

Just a reminder from very first post:

If I see the likes of any attacking or something along the lines that is going to disrupt this thread I will ask the moderators to delete it.

Nausheen, can you delete the four above posts, please and that includes your posts too   I will edit & remove this sentence when you...have done your job, lol!

If anybody has a problem, bad luck  take it up in another thread

Okay, enough is enough we return back to inspirational quotes and messages, keep em comin'   

This is similar to the "Instant Lesson" a zen story on page 2.

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.

One is Evil: it is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good: it is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: Which wolf wins?? The old Cherokee simply replied, The one you feed.

Man is free at the moment he wishes to be.

Voltaire

Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen closely.

The Land Before Time

Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another.

George Eliot

Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.

Confucius

Oh Allah

Some say you are out there....

Some say you are in here... (I point to my heart)

Some say you are here... (I point to my Head)

Allah you are in all things.

Leave none of us in dispair.

Be with us and comfort us.

Guide us well.

Anne Marie

Divine things must be loved to be known."

Love commands the universe. Man only resorts to control when love is missing."

By perseverance the snail reached the Ark."

"What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it."

"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all."

"To be young, really young, takes a very long time."

"Never look down on a person unless you are picking them up."

"Even when you fall on your face, you are still moving forward."

authors unknown...

"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."
Carl Sagan

"It is always ours to question why,
and never to just do and die."
This is a twisted version of a rather famous quote.
It is unknown just who twisted it first.

"There is no way of being. Being is the way"

-Taoism

To be nobody -- but yourself -- in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else -- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting."

- e.e. cummings

"Whoever is happy will make others happy too."

"Develop interest in life
as you see it - in people,
things, literature, music!
The world is so rich,
simply throbbing with
rich treasures, beautiful
souls and interesting
people. Forget yourself."

-- Henry Miller

Bismillah,

It is a mother's habit to forget herself and absorb herself in the lives of the people around her who need her and look up to her for guidance.