Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.

- Pablo Picasso

(See also: Spiritual Quotes, Love Quotes, Friendship Quotes, Life Quotes)

Inspiration

The belief that human actions of extraordinary insight, worth or power are due to inspiration - an inflow of psychic force, life-giving breath. The idea of inspiration in Christian theology may be traced to Hebrew prophecy and to Greek philosophy.

The most important theological problems of inspiration concern the subjects, the sources, the means and the criteria of true inspiration as distinguished from false, rather than the reality if inspiration itself.

The question of the proper subject of inspiration - whether a person, a community or a book may properly be said to be inspired - has been greatly confused in history by getting involved in the problem of church authority,. thus the doctrine of the inspiration of scriptures was largely developed to secure the Roman church against Protestantism when the Protestants made claims the inspiration for their special leaders.

The doctrine that ecumenical councils or popes are inspired when speaking on matters of faith and morals was developed partly to deal with the Protestants' rigid scriptural “const itutionalism”. The problem of the source of inspiration was raised in Hebrew thought by the appearance of false prophecy, and by the consequent question for monotheism in what sense such inspiration came from God. In Christian theology the questions were to what extent the inspiring principle in the Godhead was distinct from the creating and redeeming principle, in what sense it proceeded from one or both of these. The question about the means of inspiration has been dealt with indirectly and in confusion with the question of subject and criteria.

The orthodox Protestant and Catholic churches have emphasized the importance of Scriptures, of church discipline and instruction as the ordinary means through which inspiration comes.

Mystic and sectarian groups have shown a larger interest in other means - asceticism, the practice of silence, etc. In the Protestant doctrine of the “testimony ~ the Holy Spirit”” which must accompany the reading of the word if there is to be true inspiration and in Roman as well as Eastern Catholic acceptance of monasticism the great churches have made some approach to the interests of the sects and mysticism.

Among the criteria employed by religious thought to distinguish true from false inspiration the most important are:

1)    the consistency of the product of inspiration not only in itself but also and primarily with accepted norms, i. e. , with the moral laws, the “spirit of Jesus Christ,” the Scriptures, the common understanding of the community.

2)    the test of true inspiration is the truth of prediction. This test, which the basis of modern science, has been used apologetically rather than critically, to validate the inspiration of scriptures, as in the argument from prophecy”;

3)    disinterestedness, that is the extent to which personal interests and opinions are absent or negated in the “inspired” utterance; in the extreme form,

4)    Intelligibility might be added as a fourth criterion of the validity of inspiration though not a test of its truth, since the unintelligible cannot be said to be true or false. Also, the Protestant doctrine that the Bible was written by the influence of God. It is, therefore, without error. It is accurate and authoritatively represents God's teachings. It is an illumination in that it shows us what we could not know apart from it. Believers know that the Bible is inspired, because it says so.

(See also: Inspiration, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Inspiration, Inspired (from Latin in into, upon + spiro breathe (cf afflatus from ad upon + flo breathe); adopted from Greek empneusis from en in + pneo breathe)

Generally the reception of knowledge or influence from a source superior -- or even inferior -- to the ordinary consciousness.

(See also: Inspiration, Inspired, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

In Buddhism, the striving is to awaken insight within oneself, through one's own efforts. A guru is then someone who embodies a possibility, our own potential. He offers the inspiration one can realistically aspire to and in time lifts the veils of ignorance over one's true enlightened nature. The guru teaches and demonstrates the path. The onus remains on us to make the effort, with the guru's help, to acquire the skilful means to make the journey.

(See also: Advantage of Guru, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.

- Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

(See also: Inspirational Quotes, Love Quotes, Friendship Quotes, Life Quotes)

An inspiring article by Manish Maladkar about how we can take responsibility for our lives and our own happiness.

Read more here: » Spiritual Inspiration: Learn to be Free, To be Joyous

All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances...” wrote William Shakespeare, one of the greatest dramatists of all time. Shakespeare saw the world as a large theatre. If all the world is indeed a stage, and life is a play, and all of us are mere actors, then this view leads to some interesting corollaries. Who is the author and the director of this play? Obviously, God.

Read more here: » Spiritual Inspiration: The World Is A Stage

Chanting mantras inspires the body to heal itself, the mind to become calm and the soul to grow strong. Chanting makes room for divine energies. Mantras are vibrations - they unlock hidden centres and help to dissolve the ego; they help us build invisible tools for shaping a better life. We start discovering resources within.

A young farmer, simple and ego-less, was rearing goats. One day a realised soul in ordinary attire visited him. The poor farmer welcomed him with respect without knowing that he was a great guru. Affectionately, he offered goat milk to the visitor. The guru left after some time. His blessings created a great spiritual armour around the farmer, unbeknownst to him.

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Chanting mantras inspires the body to heal itself, the mind to become calm and the soul to grow strong. Chanting makes room for divine energies. Mantras are vibrations - they unlock hidden centres and help to dissolve the ego; they help us build invisible tools for shaping a better life. We start discovering resources within.

A young farmer, simple and ego-less, was rearing goats. One day a realised soul in ordinary attire visited him. The poor farmer welcomed him with respect without knowing that he was a great guru. Affectionately, he offered goat milk to the visitor. The guru left after some time. His blessings created a great spiritual armour around the farmer, unbeknownst to him.

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace in Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

India needs rejuvenation. This rejuvenation will come only with the revival of our great Indian ideals. India needs shakti. For this, extensive re-building needs to be initiated for the country to acquire physical, mental and spiritual strength.

For creating this stupendous energy, India needs a new spiritual awakening. A new direction. The inspiration for such an awakening could come from a prophet of peace, for instance, someone like Guru Nanak, who proclaimed: "Love the saints of every faith, Put away the pride! The essence of religion is Humility, service, and sympathy.  Not fine clothes, Not the yogi'sgarb and ashes, Not the blowing of horn, Not the shaven head, Not long prayers...".

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

If you really want the best deal in life, stop making deals. Yet, your very demeanour should be such that your client is simply bowled over. This is not a trick.

The deal will happen if it's necessary; it won't happen if it's not. It is for the well-being of both parties, so it must be needed by both of you. Once we're in this world, there are transactions, personal or otherwise.

(See also: Life and Death, Life and Beyond, Death and Dying, Body Mind and Soul)

Why have children? I often put this question to parents and I get varied answers: For the sheer joy of having them around, to ensure the continuity of the family tree, to produce heirs, for security in old age, and so on.

Others say that children enrich their lives. But how? I've always wanted to hear more on this, but they usually stop short of giving a deeper explanation.

In fact, very few parents have been able to give expression to the learning experience they undergo in the process of raising or interacting with children. Raising children or educating them is not just a one-sided affair where all learning / teaching flows from the parents or teachers to the child-students.

(See also: Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Where does the average seeker find stability in spiritual growth? Is there a 'how to' manual of integration into daily life? Many a spiritual seeker is becoming aware that he is more than his physical body.

There is a deep craving to understand what is their calling. The revival of ancient wisdom is growing and that growth is having an effect on the way we perceive spirituality.

(See also: Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

A personal reflektion on God by Jaspal Bhatti. ”I believe in the existence of God and I am God-fearing. The universe has originated due to some super power. In the wide ocean we are like a small drop. My faith in God has never been shaken. And I am grateful to him for the fame and success that I have today. I have never asked Him for anything, nor have I ever taken a mannat . ”

Read more here: » Spiritual Inspiration: God and I by Jaspal Bhatti

A personal reflection on God by Deepti Naval. ”My concept of God is slightly unconventional. I understand God as a formless power or a cluster of concentrated energy from which all life originates. But I would still love to explore my concept of God as I'm not completely convinced that what I've envisaged is actually the correct form of God.”

Read more here: » Spiritual Inspiration: God and I by Deepti Naval

A personal reflection on God by Tom Alter. ”It is rather difficult to explain how I feel about God. If at all I see God in anything, it is in nature and love between human beings. I was brought up in a very religious atmosphere. My father was a priest. In fact, folks from my father and mother's side were priests. As a child, I used to pray in school, but it was never done with conviction. As I grew up, I realised that I didn't believe in the concept of one god.”

Read more here: » Spiritual Inspiration: God and I by Tom Alter

A personal reflection on God by Sadhana Sargam. ”Right from childhood I have believed in the existence of God and for years now, I have formed a habit of praying every morning. I have a firm faith in the existence of a supreme power. I pray to God to give me strength, patience and wisdom. I pray to Him to make me a balanced person and let me have peace of mind.”

Read more here: » Spiritual Inspiration: God and I by Sadhana Sargam

A personal reflection on God by Aftab Shivdasani. ”God occupies a very important place in my life. He is my friend because I don't pray to Him. I talk to Him everyday. I just ask God to give me the strength and the courage to go on with my life, to overcome all the hurdles, to achieve my goals, to keep my near and dear ones happy and most of all, I ask Him to make me a good human being.”

Read more here: » Spiritual Inspiration: God and I by Aftab Shivdasani

A personal reflection on God by Poonam Dhillon. ”I believe in a universal God. It's a belief I've held since childhood. My mother was very God-fearing and indirectly, I imbibed a lot from her. We practised the Sikh religion, which basically preaches that there is only one God. Though I haven't read the Granth Sahib which contains the teachings of our ten gurus, in totality, I've heard it being read out at home a number of times on various occasions.”

Read more here: » Spiritual Inspiration: God and I by Poonam Dhillon

A personal reflection on God by Pandit Jasraj. ”A personal reflection on God by Pandit Jasraj. ”My first introduction to God happened when I was just 14, in the year 1944. Now I am turning 73. My older brother was then called to the small estate of Sanand near Ahmedabad to sing. In those days invitations from kings were rare and to only a few. So my brother and also my Guru Pandit Maniramji and I went there.”

Read more here: » Spiritual Inspiration: God and I by Pandit Jasraj