Friday, April 17, 2009

Daily meditation, Apr. 11th: James Allen

He is bravo who conquers another: but he who conquers himself is supremely noble.

APRIL ELEVENTH

BY the way of self-conquest is the Perfect Peace achieved. Man cannot understand it, cannot approach it, until he sees the supreme necessity of turning away from the fierce fighting of things without, and entering upon the noble warfare against evils within. He is already on the Saintly Way who has realised that the enemy of the world is within, and not without; that his own ungoverned thoughts are the source of confusion and strife; that his own unchastened desires are the violaters of his peace, and of the peace of the world.

If a man has conquered lust and anger, hatred and pride, selfishness and greed, he has conquered the world.

He who is victorious over another may in turn be defeated ; but he who overcomes himself will never be subdued.