Greetings!

Every year when the month of December comes to an end, I try to engage in some form of contemplative thinking, just to gather my thoughts about everything that happened that year. I have never been overly fascinated by the idea of one year ending and another starting. Although I understand how the occasion brings joy and merriment to many people, I personally believe it is more important to constantly recollect, learn and improve. Quotes and short excerpts from books have always been extremely fundamental in my reflection process, and I wanted to share some of them with you.

There are many facets to our souls – our beings are filled with musings about all sorts of notions and concepts. I thought of coming up with a compilation of some powerful words that have guided me, inspired a change in me or allowed me to ponder – even if it were for just a moment.

calmness & stillness.

“When the odds are hopeless, when all seems to be lost, then is the time to be calm, to make a show of authority – at least of indifference.”

Ian Fleming, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

Maintaining an indifferent disposition is better than creating chaos & confusion.

“Something about memory. It takes you back to where you were, and lets you just be there for a time.”

Jacqueline Woodson, Red at the Bone

Memories are pockets of frozen time and only exist to remind us what once was. Sometimes, revisiting memories may not be about remembering the picture-perfect views. We may visit memories to reminisce a version of ourselves that we used to be at that arbitrary moment in time. For many of us, it’s a moment of acknowledging growth.

“Your duty is to be and not to be this or that. ‘I am that I am’ sums up the whole truth. The method is summed up in the words ‘Be still’. What does stillness mean? It means destroy yourself. Because any form or shape is the cause for trouble. Give up the notion that ‘I am so and so’. All that is required to realize the self is to be still. What can be easier than that?”

Ramana Maharshi

To be comfortable in stillness, the notion of ‘self’ has to be devoid to a certain extent. Creating space in our minds to process our thoughts in silence is both the easiest and most challenging thing to do.

“The inner is foundation of the outer. The still is master of the restless. The sage travels all day, yet, never leaves his inner treasure”

Lao Tzu

What we are inside is what we are outside. If there is chaos inside, that’s what our souls will show to others. If there is calm and quiet inside, that’s what others will see when they talk to us. In many daily contexts, staying calm and collecting our thoughts is a great skill to possess.

“Our perception is our window to the world, and we need to wipe the dust off of our window often so we can continue to see through it clearly.”

Joseph P. Kauffman, Stillness: A Guide to Finding Your Inner Peace

Perception is something we must constantly strive to correct, change and be willing to shift. The mentality that “it is what it is” begets nothing. Our souls are more than capable of feeling empathy for others, and if we were to put in the effort to expose the mind to different perspectives, the world would become better for ourselves and others.

“Can you be alone without being lonely? Can you spend time by yourself without craving noise or company of other people? Have you discovered the glory of quiet time spent alone, time spent listening to your soul? Solitude brings with it gifts that come from nowhere else.”

Steve Goodier

Loneliness arises when the mind and soul are not engaged in harmony. When the two are aligned, a beautiful concord arises – the gifts of which invaluable to individual growth. Lone time spent analysing ourselves is indeed a glorious time.

“There is a presence, a silence, a stillness which is here by itself. There is no doer of it, no creator of this stillness. It is simply here in you, with you. It is the fragrance of your own self. There is nothing to do about this, it is naturally present. This fragrance of peace, this spaciousness, it is the fragrance of your own being.”

Mooji

I absolutely adore the figurative/metaphorical association between fragrance and stillness. If stillness had a scent, what would it be?

power of kindness.

“Perhaps the most “spiritual” thing any of us can do is simply to look through our own eyes, see with eyes of wholeness, and act with integrity and kindness.”

Jon Kabat-Zinn, Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation Everyday

Every single one of us possesses a spirit capable of conscious thinking and compassion. The refinement of character lies in how much we can tune this spirit of ours to serve others and be kind. I also like how the idea of ‘wholeness’ here is personified in a sense; to have eyes of its own. Being whole is when we are capable of seeing within ourselves and acting intentionally.

“Before you call yourself a Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu or any other theology, learn to be human first.”

Shannon L. Alder

Fundamentally, we are human. Our beliefs, notions, hopes (and even desperations) make up a considerable bulk of our souls, yes. Even if these things differ from person to person, nothing changes the most basic commonality among all of us, which is that we bleed the same.

Human benevolence is totally unfair. We don’t live in a kind or generous world, yet we are kind and generous. We know the universe is out to burn us, and it gets us all the way it got Renee, but we don’t burn each other, not always. We are kind people in an unkind world, to paraphrase Wallace Stevens. How do you pretend you don’t know about it, after you see it? How do you go back to acting like you don’t need it? How do you even the score and walk off a free man? You can’t. I found myself forced to let go of all sorts of independence I thought I had, independence I had spent years trying to cultivate. That world was all gone, and now I was a supplicant, dependent on the mercy of other people’s psychic hearts.”

Rob Sheffield, Love Is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time

This is a rather intense quote aptly describing a very familiar feeling. Here the main character talks about how the universe is always scheming to hurt us or malign our nature — but he goes on to find the silver lining. The only positive thing he identifies amidst all the chaos he experiences is the kindness of a select few, which is so powerful that he craves for it and depends on it. Empathy, benevolence and compassion are plausibly the only things that possess a power strong enough to heal us. It is the reason why we still continue to exist.

“Always ask yourself: “What will happen if I say nothing?”

Kamand Kojouri

I loved this quote because of how simple and straightforward it is. Essentially, it underscores the power of speaking up about something at the right time and the right place. Creating discussion is seldom done in real-life contexts mainly because people are afraid of making others uncomfortable by bringing up critical issues or concerns. There are, however, significant implications of skipping this crucial step, more often than not, resulting in great regret. “I could have said this” and “I could have done that” can be avoided.

“Ravens bring things to people. We’re like that. It’s our nature. We don’t like it.”

Peter S. Beagle, A Fine and Private Place

I think it is so crucial we embrace the humanness in us to bring things to others. The habit of bringing things to people we love is not new. It has ancient origins in each and every culture. In Jewish tradition, it is customary to give bread, salt and wine as housewarming gifts. In all of our cultures, we see this. It is and has always been symbolic of the notion that we give because we love. We always have.

“It is more important to be of pure intention than of perfect action.”

Ilyas Kassam

We often feel pressure to express our emotions the right way. It must be this; it must be that. However, the human soul is somehow able to sense intentions more than actions. This is why we often say, “It is the thought that counts”. When we receive gifts from someone who feels that their gifts are inadequate, we still feel content and joyful because it is the purity of intention that matters. A love with less mind & more heart.

“Some kindnesses you do not ever forget. You carry them to your grave, held warmly somewhere, brought up and savored from time to time.”

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Zikora

Isn’t it ironic how we seldom savour materialistic and tangible things? We can touch them, feel them and see them — yet our souls do not crave these things. It is always the more intangible, abstract, and core concepts crucial to our souls that we crave and desire. When we are kind to someone, that moment of love never really leaves that person. It joins that person’s soul somewhere, like an additional bone, becoming a part of them. This is exactly why kindness can heal.

some thoughts about the value of acquiring experiences.

the earth & its wonders.

“I loved the quiet places in Kyoto, the places that held the world within a windless moment. Inside the temples, Nature held her breath. All longing was put to sleep in the stillness, and all was distilled into a clean simplicity. The smell of woodsmoke, the drift of incense; a procession of monks in black-and-gold robes, one of them giggling in a voice yet unbroken; a touch of autumn in the air, a sense of gathering rain.”

Pico Iyer, Video Night in Kathmandu and Other Reports from the Not-So-Far East

When was the last time you held your breath? And when you did, you knew you had to resume breathing again in a while and holding your breath was just a momentary escape from the things you were doing at the time, didn’t you? So, it is interesting how a force so formidable as nature needs that escape once in a while. Nature, too, holds her breath.

“Nature, take my breath with you; renew it with the wild breeze and fill my being up with so much soul, ego learns to fade away.”

Nikki Rowe, Once A Girl, Now A Woman

There is an interesting correlation between the soul growing and ego declining. The two are linked and cannot exist at the same time. If the soul grows, there is no ego. If there is an ego, the soul does not grow.

“Listen to the murmur of water and you’ll hear Mother Nature. Listen to the stillness beneath, and there you’ll find God.”

Donald L. Hicks, Look into the Stillness

I have always found the dynamic nature of water extremely fascinating. The way water flows, how it takes the shape of what it flows through, how it can be so gentle yet destructive, the list goes on. Everything about water is a mystery to me. In this quote, gentle sounds of water are symbolic of Mother Nature, while the source of that peacefulness is said to be God. An abstract representation of origin.

“The glitter in the sky looks as if I could scoop it all up in my hands and let the stars swirl and touch one another but they are so distant, so very far apart, that they cannot feel the warmth of each other even though they are made of burning.”

Beth Revis, Across the Universe

I believe that our souls and hearts contain a fire of passion and love. We are, after all, beings of earth and are amalgamations of the elements and essence of the earth. However, even when we possess so much warmth in us, sometimes we are unable to feel that of others around us — an unfortunate disconnect.

“Listen to the trees as they sway in the wind. Their leaves are telling secrets. Their bark sings songs of olden days as it grows around the trunks. And their roots give names to all things. Their language has been lost, but not the gestures.”

Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

I love the way trees are described in this quote as having their own language. They tell secrets, sing songs, give names, and do all we do using words. What is language for if not to express? In that way, nothing is more expressive than nature. Their quiet existence around us is a story of old and ancient love.

“People today have forgotten they’re really just a part of nature. Yet, they destroy the nature on which our lives depend. They always think they can make something better. “

Akira Kurosawa, Yume

We are just extensions of our environment. Everything that we are: what we eat, what we wear, what we drink, what we waste, what we need, what we use, what we take from — everything comes from and goes back to the environment. Nature has always been the original inspiration of all inventions. With that source depleting and dying, there will be no inspiration.

“It’s the idea that people living close to nature tend to be noble. It’s seeing all those sunsets that does it. You can’t watch a sunset and then go off and set fire to your neighbor’s tepee. Living close to nature is wonderful for your mental health.”

Daniel Quinn, Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit

Somehow, the act of observing nature and being one with it is in stark contrast with anything destructive and this is something we all universally agree on despite there being no written word about it.

wonderment & curiosity.

“Her searches after knowledge were arbitrary and without context. It was as if she were shining a small flashlight of curiosity into the dark room of the world.”

Gloria Steinem, Marilyn

If we think about it, the things we direct our energy towards are not always clear, easily explainable or justifiable. There might be a million reasons why we are propelled to learn more about something, why we are passionate about certain topics. The reasons may be emotional or pragmatic, personal or social; the list goes on. The curiosity to gather more knowledge about topics (especially those that concern the development of others) is a gift that should not erode with time and age.

“Curiosity is a good thing, like onion soup. But too much onion soup makes your breath smell terrible. And too much curiosity can make your whole body smell terrible, if it causes you to be dead. ”

Michael Reisman, Simon Bloom, The Gravity Keeper

I like this quote because of how aptly it captures the idea that “too much of something is never good”. This is true for many other things, but especially so in the pursuit of knowledge. Knowledge must always allow one to grow and thrive, and it is imperative that in this age of digital information, we are careful not to consume unhealthy information that is detrimental to others. Curiosity is a double-edged sword that can cut both ways, and intentional learning is essential.

“Questions lead to further questions, and inquiry breeds insight. Gathering expertise brings both confidence and consolation. E. O. Wilson wrote: “You start by loving a subject. Birds, probability theory, stars, differential equations, storm fronts, sign language, swallowtail butterflies….The subject will be your lodestar and give sanctuary in the shifting mental universe.”

Lyanda Lynn Haupt, Crow Planet: Essential Wisdom for Urban Wilderness

This quote identifies loving something as a fundamental prerequisite for being interested in it. Think about the things you tend to be interested in; how many of those things do you really love? For some, it might be their love for plants and for some, cars. Again, the list is inexhaustible. Loving something makes us curious about it, and that is human nature. Therefore, it is also our responsibility to be careful of what we love and invest our energy in precious and valuable things that are not fleeting.

“Sometimes imagination outsmarts intelligence and enthusiasm outshines experience.”

Amit Kalantri, Wealth of Words

This is a short quote that I found valuable because it sheds light on how non-stereotypical attributes can sometimes be more impressive than traditional ones. We see this around us, too. Now more than ever, there is a greater appreciation for imagination, creation and open-mindedness to learn. Fresher and innovative perspectives are now sought after, but delivering them is a huge responsibility. Imagination and curiosity must never cost another’s peace and wellbeing.

“Why do you want to put clothes of explanation on everything? Why don’t you let a few things remain naked, mysterious, original, raw?”

Shunya

This was an interesting perspective. Is it sometimes better to let certain things remain in the unknown territory? The possibility that certain things of the earth remain as they are never to be unearthed only adds to their complexity, depth and character. I still believe, however, that ignorance is never bliss when it comes to social and humanitarian causes.

“It’s not that we get bad answers. Rather, it’s more likely that we ask bad questions.”

Craig D. Lounsbrough

This is a relatively common quote that most of us would have definitely heard at least once in our lives. This quote is about the power of questioning. “Why is it that I think this?” or “Why do I do this?” — are crucial questions in self-realisation and improvement. We are creatures of habit, and we tend to do things a certain way or adopt a mindset that we were exposed to without giving it much thought. However, questioning what we believe in and being intentional about our thoughts is the first step towards growth.

“Round the World. Someone is waiting to be with you. Something is waiting for you to be explored.”

Talha Naeem

This short quote is one my all-time favourites. The unknown, the endless possibilities, the blind spots of life. Everything about staying curious and open to learning is so crucial to individual growth and exploration.

grandeur of wisdom.

“There are more things in heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy“.

William Shakspeare

Wisdom is a bottomless oasis. A deep ocean unseen by many, so inexplicably intangible such that it cannot be learnt or acquired easily by those who desire it. Wisdom is not a ‘theory’ but an innate essence. The acceptance that there are things far beyond our comprehension is quite possibly the first step towards learning of any kind.

“Tomorrow is a mystery, yesterday is history, and today is a gift. That is why they call it present“

Kung Fu Panda

Sometimes, time is not an easy thing to process. Things that happened years ago may feel as though they just happened. Things that have not even happened may feel as though they are already happening too fast. How we perceive time is subjective and depends on a myriad of factors. The only thing we can do is be present at the moment and make the best of it before it slips by and becomes a memory.

“It’s not what you say out of your mouth that determines your life, it’s what you whisper to yourself that has the most power!”

Robert T. Kiyosaki

It’s seldom the words spoken to others that reveal our wisdom. It’s the internal dialogue we have with our hearts and what goes on within us that determines our wisdom in dealing with the intricacies of life. So, before opening our mouths to communicate what we think, it is so crucial that we put in ample effort to present a well-formed thought process to others. If not sure, it is better to keep silent.

“Water is the softest thing, yet it can penetrate mountains and earth. This shows clearly the principle of softness overcoming hardness.”

Lao Tzu

I found this short quote exceptionally useful, like a daily motto. People often think gentleness and compassion make someone inherently weak or fragile. It’s quite the opposite, really. It takes fierceness and aggressive passion for someone to persist and advocate for something that the majority would oppose. There is wisdom in someone remaining gentle but quietly overcoming the hardness prevailing over the earth.

“Treachery and violence are spears pointed at both ends; they wound those who resort to them worse than their enemies.”

Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights

There is nothing more pointless and inhumane than violence. Violence of any kind — be it physical, emotional or mental. In many ways, violence is the complete opposite of wisdom. A wise man is like still water reflecting what others want to see in themselves, while a violent man is like barren land with nothing to offer anyone. When a man imposes violence on another, two people die — himself and the one he hurts.

“I am the shore and the ocean, awaiting myself on both sides.”

Dejan Stojanovic, The Shape

This quote is about the one and only goal we all have when we are born: to learn about ourselves. Our whole life, all we are trying to do is wrap our heads around the complexity of our existence. Who are we? What and who are we for? These questions take a lifetime to answer. I adore the simplicity of the metaphorical expression in this quote employing the ocean and the shore. We are both the refuge (shore) and the storm (ocean) and we alternate between these two facets ourselves at different points in our lives.

“Everything you’ll ever need to know is within you; the secrets of the universe are imprinted on the cells of your body.”

Dan Millman, Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives

The answer lies within ourselves. We are all different, blessed with a plethora of strengths and weaknesses. So, naturally, the answers we find within ourselves will also be different. This is why we all take up different vocations, pathways, choose different passions and careers. The differences among us, however, is what makes us whole as one human race.