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Believe nothing because a wise man said it.
Believe nothing because it is generally held.
Believe nothing because it is written.
Believe nothing because it is said to be divine.
Believe nothing because someone else believes it.
But believe only what you yourself judge to be true.

   - Buddha

Through the central gate of being, we enter into the palace of the heart. We call upon the faithful helpers of sympathy and sincerity to aid our passage to the inner worlds. Humbly we bow towards the Mother of all creation that reigns at the centre of our being. We contemplate the glorious beauty of the Oneness that resides at the heart of all creatures – in the trees, plants, peoples and animals. May our minds be ever aware of this magnificence and our hearts irradiated with her Love.

   - The Royal Road, Stephan Hoeller

If you knew yourself for even one moment,
If you could just glimpse your most beautiful face,
Maybe you wouldn’t slumber so deeply in that house of clay.

Why not move into your house of joy and shine into every crevice!
For you are the secret Treasure-bearer, and always have been.
Didn’t you know?

   - Rumi

Oh Lord,
Our planet earth is only a small star in space.
It is our duty to transform it
Into a planet whose creatures are no longer tormented by war, hunger and fear,
No longer senselessly divided by race, colour and ideology.
Give us courage and strength to begin this task today
So that our children and children's children
Shall one day carry the name of 'man' with pride.

   - The (forgotten)Prayer of the United Nations.

Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough.  We have a higher mission – to be of service to them wherever they require it.

Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226
Quoted in The Life by St Bonaventura