“Death has no power the immortal soul to slay, That, when its present body turns to clay, Seeks a fresh home, and with unlessened might Inspires another frame with life and light.” Like moonbeams trembling on water, truly such is the life of mortals. Knowing this, let duty be performed. Bathe in the river of the soul, O man, for not with water is the soul washed clean. The pure soul is a river whose holy source is self-control, whose water is truth, whose bank is righteousness, whose waves are compassion. The spirit it is, that, under the myriad illusions of life, works steadily towards its goal; silently, imperceptibly, irresistibly, moving on to divinity.

“Gems from the East: A Birthday Book of Precepts and Axioms” was written by Madame Blavatsky and published in late 1889. With selections from famous scriptures and books to introduce the months, and Oriental precept or axiom is given for each day of the year. Spirituality is not what we understand by the words “virtue” and “goodness.” It is the power of perceiving formless, spiritual essences. The discovery and right use of the true essence of Being – this is the whole secret of life. “The mind, enlightened, casts its grief away!” – It is not to be known by knowledge! man knows it not by wisdom! learning vast Halts short of it! Only by soul itself is soul perceived – when the soul wills it so! There shines no light save its own light to show Itself unto itself!”

Over 80 years ago, a new religion was founded with the name Cao Đài in the country of Âu Lạc (Vietnam) and has quickly grown to become the third largest religion in this country. Cao Đài recognizes that the ultimate goal of all true religions is the same; to teach humankind to live peacefully and compassionately with all sentient beings, and to realize our divine origin. The term Cao Đài literally means “Supreme Palace,” referring to the place where God reigns over the universe, and was also the name God used to impart Hiers divine instructions in the creation of Cao Đài. And we believe that God started from the Emptiness. From the Emptiness, the Tao appeared. The Tao is the Almighty, which then created Yin Light and Yang Light. The action between Yin Light and Yang Light created a “Big Bang.” From the Big Bang, the planets in the universe came into being, and then the world was created with beings such as the stones, flora, fauna, animals, and humanity.

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the Throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of Him Who sat on the Throne. And when He had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

Although it is not certain, Saint John the Apostle has been traditionally accepted as the author of the last Book in the Holy Bible-Revelation. Though it is known as a record of inner visions, the Book of Revelation is also an encouragement to remain virtuous and faithful in God. On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches…” And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a Son of man…“The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”

“Then there is a new way in which we arrive at the inference that the living come from the dead, just as the dead come from the living; and if this is true, then the souls of the dead must be in some place out of which they come again. And this, as I think, has been satisfactorily proved.” “Yes, Socrates,” he said, “all this seems to flow necessarily out of our previous admissions.” “And that these admissions are not unfair, Cebes,” He said, “may be shown, as I think, in this way: If generation were in a straight line only, and there were no compensation or circle in nature, no turn or return into one another, then you know that all things would at last have the same form and pass into the same state, and there would be no more generation of them.”

Plato’s works display truly great mastery in the art of literature as well as profound philosophical understanding. He wrote at least 30 dialogues in which His Master Socrates guides His students through illuminating question-and answer exchanges. In today’s episode, we present a glimpse of the engaging dialogue between Socrates and His disciples Cebes and Simmias about the connectedness between opposing natural processes, such as life and death, and how they are each generated from one another. “…He who passes unsanctified and uninitiated into the world [beyond] will live in a slough but he who arrives there after initiation and purification will dwell with the gods.”

Our prayer is a heart-search. It is a reminder to ourselves that we are helpless without His support. No effort is complete without prayer, without a definite recognition that the best human endeavor is of no effect if it has not God’s blessings behind it. These are moments when one reviews one’s immediate past, confesses one’s weaknesses, asks for forgiveness and strength to be and to do better. I believe that prayer is the very soul and essence of religion and therefore prayer must be the very core of the life of man… Begin, therefore, your day with prayer and make it so soulful that it may remain with you until evening. Close the day with prayer so that you may have a peaceful night free from dreams and nightmares.

Mahatma Gandhi Ji was a beloved spiritual teacher and visionary leader of the Indian independence movement. Mahatma Gandhi once called himself “a man of God disguised as a politician.” His lauded, courageous activities had deep moral and spiritual roots. The book “Pathway to God” is a collection of some of his writings that reveal his thoughtful approach to the Divine. His guiding principles of selflessness, humility, nonviolent resistance, and vegetarianism are still very relevant. Any Truth seeker will find much logic, insight, and solace from Gandhi Ji’s words.

However, if they have briefly heard the name of the Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata when they were humans, although now they are reborn into the wretched destinies, if they can recall the Buddha’s name even briefly, they will immediately be free from these destinies and be reborn as human beings. They will remember their sojourn in the lower destinies, and, dreading their past sufferings, crease to wallow in worldly pleasures. They will gladly practice charity, praise others who do so, and will no longer be ungenerous. Gradually, they will even be able to donate parts of their bodies to those who need them, not to mention mere material possessions.

The Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata is the Buddha of the Eastern Pure Land that is called Vaiḍūryanirbhāsa (meaning Pure Lapis Lazuli). He is commonly known as the Medicine Buddha and is venerated by many as the "King of Medicine and Doctor of Soul and Body." Renowned for His healing power and His ability to neutralize past bad karma, bringing good fortune to all, the Medicine Buddha is also known to assist beings to reach a spiritual turning point, "the aspiration to attain enlightenment," where the mundane life is cast aside for spiritual fulfillment. The Sutra on the Original Vows and Merits of the Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata consists essentially of His Twelve Great Vows, His extensive merits, plus the various ways He will help the suffering.

It is so blissful in Heaven that there is nothing to remind us of spiritual practice. It is so agonizing in hell that it is impossible to practice spiritually there. In the secular world, we have suffering, joy, misunderstanding, ignorance, wisdom, enlightenment, the unenlightened, and lots of different situations. Therefore, we can learn quickly from various situations in life, and we can find sufficient material from which to experience and train ourselves. We have the chance to practice to become Buddhas, which we cannot find in other worlds. Therefore, the human body is very precious. We must cherish the chance to practice spiritually without delay.

Supreme Master Ching Hai has infinite love, concern and encouragement for those who wish to improve themselves spiritually. In Her book "Aphorisms II," a compilation of parts of Her lectures, She offers words of supreme wisdom, which deal with spiritual practice, life and philosophy, touch the very source of our being, bringing us enlightenment and Heavenly bliss. Life does not start here when we are born, or end when we are dead. And enlightenment is only the beginning. The journey will continue, full of wonder and miraculous encounters and discovery for those who truly want to know the miracle of life and the real love from the universe and from your heart.

Confucius said, “The noble man makes right the substance of his being; he carries it out with judgment and good sense; he speaks it with modesty; he attains it with sincerity. This is the noble man.” “The noble man should be distressed that he has no ability, not from lack of recognition.” “The noble man dislikes to die without having done anything to distinguish himself.” “The noble man seeks within himself. The fool seeks within others.” “The noble man is proud but not vain; he is sociable, but belongs to no party.” “The noble man never upholds a man because of what he says, nor does he discard what a man says because of the speaker’s character.”

Confucius is regarded as one of the most important and influential Masters in shaping human history. During His lifetime, Confucius traveled across many states of the Chinese kingdom and expounded on what would later become the basic tenets of Confucianism, namely, benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom and faith. The philosophy presents five virtues that all humans should follow every day to live a harmonious and wholesome life. Confucius said, "A gentleman with lofty ideals and a man of benevolence will never seek to live at the expense of injuring their virtue. They will even sacrifice their lives to preserve their virtue." "He who requires much from himself and little from others, will never have any enemies."

“And the earth was tohu and bohu,” that is , without form and void. That dispelled the darkness in which was the hidden and concealed fire that transformed the world from tohu into bohu, and from a state of chaos made it receptive of seeds and germs of life. In all the various phases of development from tohu (chaotic state) to bohu (purified state), through countless ages of silent, secret and ceaseless progression from lower to higher stages and states of being, the Divine has manifested Itself under many and different aspects or characters corresponding to and symbolic of them.

Kabbalah is the ancient mystical school of thought of Judaism. One of the most foundational of the Kabbalistic texts is the Sefer HaZohar, a Kabbalistic commentary on the Torah, which are the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. Today we present some of the fascinating excerpts from the Zohar about the very beginning of our Earth’s creation, and how life on the planet took place. “In the beginning, Alhim created”; or, as it should be rendered by Rushith, that is the primal Zohar (radiance), the origin of all words, “God created Alhim.”

A Hindu prayer for peace can be performed by simply chanting the Sanskrit word for peace three times: “Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.” Please enjoy the following selection of moving prayers of peace from the Hindu tradition. Prayer from the Atharva Veda. Supreme Lord, let there be peace in the sky and in the atmosphere. Let there be peace in the plant world and in the forests. Let the cosmic powers be peaceful. Let the Brahman, the true essence and source of life, be peaceful. Let there be undiluted and fulfilling peace everywhere.

In today's episode, we invite you to explore the connection between prayer and peace, through reading a selection of elevating prayers about both inner and outer peace, from the Christian tradition. Prayer for Peace by the Most Reverend Francis Paget, Bishop of Oxford, Church of England. Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of Truth and peace proceed, kindle in the hearts of all men the true love of peace, and guide with Your pure and peaceable wisdom those who make decisions for the nations of the earth; that in tranquillity Your kingdom may go forth, till the earth by filled with the knowledge of Your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.