​My Favourite Spiritual Definitions & Equations ~ Nithya Shanti

(Compiled by Nithya Shanti)

Here is a collection of some of ​my favourite spiritual definitions and equations. A few of these are inspired by teachers like Byron Katie (BK), Ajahn Brahm (AB), Brian Tracy (BT), Jack Canfield (JC) a​nd the Ancient Greek (G) and Sufi Traditions (S). The rest are either my own or from unknown sources.

Equanimity is “happiness for no reason”.

Mindfulness is “moving at the speed of life”.

Suffering is “arguing with reality”. (BK)

Happiness is “loving what is”. (BK)

Love (Agape) means “to let be”. (G)

Oneness is “dissolving into the flow of life”.

Meditation is “meeting yourself without your stories”.

Love is “meeting the other without stories”.

Enlightenment is “meeting all of life without stories”.

Heaven is “loving where you are”. (AB)

Hell is “judging where you are”. (AB)

Anger is “frustrated expectations”. (AB)

Guilt is “anger turned inwards”. (AB)

Hate is “fermented anger”.

Forgiving means “thank-you for-giving this to me”.

Equations to Remember:

Wholesome = True + Good + Beautiful (G)

Here…

Science = What is True?

Religion = What is Good?

Art = What is Beautiful?

Concern = Attention + Fear

Care = Attention + Love

Event + Response = Outcome (JC)

Job = Hands – (Heart + Head)

Career = (Head + Hands) – Heart

Calling = Heart + Head + Hands

Deep Listening = (Words + Feelings + Intentions + Silence) – Assumptions

Reflective Listening = Pause + Question + Reflect (BT)

Authentic Speech = True + Kind + Necessary (S)

Spirituality = Religion – Fear

Presence = Persona + Essence

Peace = Present – Expectations

Suffering = Feeling + Resistance

Boredom = Now – Wow

Blunder = Belief – Wonder

Actualize = Vocalize + Visualize + Emotionalize + Actionize

Dharma = Discover Who You Really Are + Hone Your Gifts + Share Your Gifts

Drama = Dharma – Humility

Discontentment = Experience – Appreciation  

Bondage = Experience + Stickiness 

Freedom = Experience – Stickiness

Jealousy = Compliments – Rejoicing

There are many more, but this a good start!

“I’m not your friend,the pencil snapped. I hate you”…

The pencil sat silently on the desk, lines of words flowing from its tip. Each stroke looked bold, yet every so often, hesitation crept in, leaving behind crooked letters and misplaced thoughts.

The eraser, watching quietly, finally whispered, “You seem troubled.”

The pencil frowned. “I wish you’d stop interfering. Every time I try to write, you show up and take pieces of me away.”

The eraser’s voice trembled but stayed gentle. “I don’t take from you—I take from your mistakes, so your story shines brighter.”

The pencil snapped, bitterness in its tone: “Easy for you to say. You’re slowly disappearing with every correction. And one day, you’ll be gone completely.”

A soft smile formed on the eraser’s worn face. “And isn’t that beautiful? To give a little of myself so your journey looks cleaner, clearer, and easier to read?”

The pencil fell quiet, guilt sinking in. After a pause, it whispered, “But I, too, feel smaller with every word I write. We’re both fading.”

The eraser leaned closer, tender and calm. “Then maybe fading isn’t failure. Maybe it means we’re being used for what we were created for. You write, I correct. Together, we leave behind something worth keeping. What could be more meaningful?”

The pencil’s sharpness softened. “And all this time, I thought you were against me. But you were with me.”

The eraser nodded. “Always. Even if it costs me.”

And that day, the pencil learned something profound:
We don’t live forever. Each day, each moment, takes something from us. But if our time, our energy, our sacrifices make someone else’s path lighter, if our presence leaves behind words of love instead of stains of regret—then disappearing isn’t the end. It’s fulfilment.

So if you can’t always be the one who writes joy into people’s lives, be the one who gently erases their pain.

Because both are needed. Both matter.

And both are love in action. #communitysupport #gratitude

Source: WhatsApp

The Difference Between a Teacher and a Guru

1. A teacher takes responsibility for your growth.
A Guru makes you responsible for your growth.

2.A teacher gives you things you do not have and require.
A Guru takes away things you have and do not require.


3. A teacher answers your questions.
A Guru questions your answers.

4. A teacher requires obedience and discipline from the pupil.
A Guru requires trust and humility from the pupil.

5. A teacher clothes you and prepares you for the outer journey.
A Guru strips you and prepares you for the inner journey.

6. A teacher is a guide on the path.
A Guru is a pointer to the way.

7. A teacher sends you on the road to success.
A Guru sends you on the road to freedom.

8. A teacher explains the world and its nature to you.
A Guru explains yourself and your nature to you.

9. A teacher gives you knowledge and boosts your ego.
A Guru takes away your knowledge and punctures your ego.

10. A teacher instructs you.
A Guru constructs you.

11. A teacher sharpens your mind.
A Guru opens your mind.

12. A teacher reaches your mind.
A Guru touches your spirit.

13. A teacher instructs you on how to solve problems.
A Guru shows you how to resolve issues.

14. A teacher is a systematic thinker.
A Guru is a lateral thinker.

15. One can always find a teacher.
But a Guru has to find and accept you.

16. A teacher leads you by the hand.
A Guru leads you by example.

17.When a teacher finishes with you, you celebrate.
When a Guru finishes with YOU , life celebrates.  

Profound distinction between Intelligence and Wisdom

Did you ever wonder that the distinction between the two is? And what it means in one’s life?

Worth reading on …

  1. Intelligence leads to arguments.
    Wisdom leads to settlements.
  2. Intelligence is power of will.
    Wisdom is power OVER  will.
  3. Intelligence is heat, it burns.
    Wisdom is warmth, it comforts.
  4. Intelligence is pursuit of knowledge, it tires the seeker.
    Wisdom is pursuit of truth, it inspires the seeker.
  5. Intelligence is holding on.
    Wisdom is letting go.
  6. Intelligence leads you.
    Wisdom guides you.
  7. An intelligent man thinks he knows everything.
    A wise man knows that there is still something to learn.
  8. An intelligent man always tries to prove his point.
    A wise man knows there really is no point.
  9. An intelligent man freely gives unsolicited advice.
    A wise man keeps his counsel until all options are considered.
  10. An intelligent man understands what is being said.
    A wise man understands what is left unsaid.
  11. An intelligent man speaks when he has to say something.
    A wise man speaks when he has something to say.
  12. An intelligent man sees everything as relative.
    A wise man sees everything as related.
  13. An intelligent man tries to control the mass flow.
    A wise man navigates the mass flow.
  14. An intelligent man preaches.
    A wise man reaches.

Intelligence is good
but Wisdom achieves better results.