What is this body? It is nothing but three pounds of ashes when it is cremated. Why so much vanity about it? However strong or beautiful this body may be, its culmination is in those three pounds of ashes. And still people are so attached to it. Glory be to God!
(p.49, The Gospel of the Holy Mother)
The realization of God depends on his grace and not on my spiritual practices – one should have this strong conviction in his mind. Practicing spiritual disciplines is only to ‘make the wings tired.’ When the wings of the bird are tired, it wants to rest somewhere. If it finds no other resting place, it is forced to perch on the mast of the boat. Until one is deeply convinced that there is no other resting place but God, one cannot wholly surrender oneself to him.
(p.164, Spiritual Treasures, Letters of Swami Turiyananda)