Thought for the Day

Sunday 15 September

We are not holier or higher for the outward works that we do. Truly God that is the beholder of the heart rewards the will more than the deed. The deeds truly hang on the will, not the will on the deeds.

— Richard Rolle

Eknath Easwaran's Commentary

It is because we don’t have any real challenge in life that we do not grow to our real height. We need a challenge that is worthy of our capacities, and making money, if I may say so, is not much of a challenge. Neither is becoming famous or achieving power; and as for pleasure, challenge is conspicuous by its absence.

But becoming rich in personal relationships, learning to return love for hatred, being always aware of the unity of life, these things are the most difficult achievements on the face of the earth. Only when we see a person who has accomplished such feats do we begin to glimpse the heights a human being can attain. This is our real stature, and no matter what our problems or liabilities, every one of us can attain these heights through regular, enthusiastic spiritual practice.

The Thought for the Day is today's entry from Eknath Easwaran's Words to Live By.