Imam Ali once said to his
son Imam Hasan, My son, learn four things from me and through them you will
learn four more. If you keep them in mind your actions will not bring any harm
to you: The greatest wealth is Wisdom; the greatest poverty is stupidity; the
worst unso- ciableness is that of vanity and self-glorification; and the best
nobility of descent exhibits itself in politeness and in refinement of manner.
The next four things, my son, are: "Do not make friendship with a fool
because when he will try to do you good he will do you harm; do not make a
miser your friend because he will run away from you at the time of your dire
need; do not be friendly with a vicious and wicked person because he will sell
you and your friendship at the cheapest price and do not make friend of a liar
because like a mirage he will make you visualize very near the things which lie
at a great distance and will make you see at the great distance the things
which are near to you".
“Imam Ali”
Master of the Universe,
grant me the ability to be alone. May it be my custom to go outdoors each
day among the trees and grass, among all growing things. And there may I
be alone in prayer, to talk with my Creator, to express everything in my
heart. May all the foliage of the field awake at my coming, to send the
power of their life into the words of my prayer, so that my prayer and speech
are made whole through the spirit of all growing things.
“Meditation of Reba Nahman
of Bratslav”
Joy is a feeling of
happiness that comes from success, good fortune, or a sense of well-being. After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, Joy was
lost. God expelled them from their garden home to prevent something worse
from happening. If they had eaten from the tree of Life after eating from the
tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, they would have lived forever in their misery. Life outside the garden was not easy. Adam
and Eve had to work hard for their food. The reality of death was everywhere,
and animals preyed on one another. Even worse, the couple's firstborn son
murdered his younger brother. What could be worse? Sin had
pierced their lives, and the couple could not stop joy from draining out. But God had a plan to restore joy. Joy was lost in the Garden when death came, but
joy returned through birth-- the birth of God's own Son. "I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people" (Luke2:10 )
Jesus grew up to heal the sick, give
sight to the blind, and raise the dead. But this was just a
taste of things to come. God
entered our world, experienced our sorrow, and conquered death, giving us hope that he will keep his promise to end
pain, and eliminate sorrow and death (John 11:25-26; I Cor.
15:3-4; and Rev. 21:4)
It was Joy in Heaven, over one sinner that repents, more than over, ninety and nine just persons, which need on repentance. It was Joy when the father saw his lost son coming, he said to his servants, bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry. I count this all Joy of the Lord, because one day you were lost, but now you have been birth into a new Life through Jesus Christ, who is our JOY.
pierced their lives, and the couple could not stop joy from draining out. But God had a plan to restore joy. Joy was lost in the Garden when death came, but
joy returned through birth-- the birth of God's own Son. "I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people" (Luke
It was Joy in Heaven, over one sinner that repents, more than over, ninety and nine just persons, which need on repentance. It was Joy when the father saw his lost son coming, he said to his servants, bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry. I count this all Joy of the Lord, because one day you were lost, but now you have been birth into a new Life through Jesus Christ, who is our JOY.
“Elder Melvin Bates”
Just as the soft rains fill
the streams,
pour into the rivers, and join together in the oceans,
so may the power of every moment of your goodness
flow forth to awaken and heal all beings–
those here now, those gone before, those yet to come.
pour into the rivers, and join together in the oceans,
so may the power of every moment of your goodness
flow forth to awaken and heal all beings–
those here now, those gone before, those yet to come.
By the power of every moment
of your goodness,
may your heart’s wishes be soon fulfilled
as completely shining as the bright full moon,
as magically as by a wish-fulfilling gem.
may your heart’s wishes be soon fulfilled
as completely shining as the bright full moon,
as magically as by a wish-fulfilling gem.
By the power of every moment
of your goodness,
may all dangers be averted and all disease be gone.
May no obstacle come across your way.
May you enjoy fulfillment and long life.
may all dangers be averted and all disease be gone.
May no obstacle come across your way.
May you enjoy fulfillment and long life.
For all in whose heart
dwells respect,
who follow the wisdom and compassion, of the Way,
may your life prosper in the four blessings
of old age, beauty, happiness and strength.
who follow the wisdom and compassion, of the Way,
may your life prosper in the four blessings
of old age, beauty, happiness and strength.
“Traditional Buddhist prayer
for blessing and healing”
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