The Upanishads (Easwaran's Classics of Indian Spirituality Book 2)

The Self cannot be known by anyone Who desists not from unrighteous ways, Controls not the senses, stills not the mind, And practices not meditation.

Tradition has isolated four powerful formulaic utterances (mahavakyas) embedded in the early Upanishads. One is sarvam idam brahma, “All is Brahman” (Chandogya III.14.1), which states the foundation of mysticism: that everything is ultimately one.

as far as the true purpose of religion goes, external rites – however suitable for the short-term resolution of social problems – are unnecessary, or at best symbolic. The real sacrifice could then be done directly, not just attempted by symbolic manipulations.

those who combine action with meditation Cross the sea of death through action And enter into immortality Through the practice of meditation.

Brahman, from the root brih, “to expand.”

The ideal of the Upanishads is to live in the world in full awareness of life’s unity, giving and enjoying, participating in others’ sorrows and joys, but never unaware even for a moment that the world comes from God and returns to God.

As a person acts, so he becomes in life. Those who do good become good; those who do harm become bad. Good deeds make one pure; bad deeds make one impure. You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is,

When one realizes the Self, in whom All life is one, changeless, nameless, formless, Then one fears no more. Until we realize The unity of life, we live in fear.

All is well for those who choose The joy of the spirit, but they miss The goal of life who prefer the pleasant.