Being and Becoming

The Opening Into Aspiration

“This very Self is greatest Joy,

because it is the object of greatest Love,

and nobody says that I should not exist.

Everybody says I should continue to exist.

There we see that it is the Source

of greatest Joy and Love.”

— Swami Sarvapriyananda,

translating the Panchadasi of Vidyaranya

I am not precious because of anything I’ve done,

but because I am a manifestation of the One,

and I love that One with all of my heart and soul.

Because I love that One with all of my heart and soul,

it is necessary for me to cherish and protect my life,

as well as the lives of others,

honoring and treating them with respect

and that same Love.

Sin is that which tears me from this ideal —

Virtue is that which strengthens my aspiration toward it.

May many blessings come to you.

Affectionately,

Aaron