www.watermoonrefuge.org

Just to pause. That's all.
For a while, to step outside the pressure. The noise. The busyness.
Come, then, to the place that always welcomes, always waits.
At the gate you surrender your cares.
Once inside, you begin to let go. The mind steadies, then quiets.
Stillness remains. Like moon above water; like water holding moon.
Two that are both, yet neither.
The One.
That's all.
And enough.
- Swami Lotus

Be still and know.
- Swami Lotus

Everything that comes is a manifestation of our own mind. Everything that comes is our teacher. Understanding this, being willing to take responsibility, not putting anything outside, is the work of yogis. We are yogis.
- Swami Lotus

The importance of a quiet mind cannot be overestimated. It is the key to Realization. As we grow in spiritual depth, we become increasingly able to shift our attention from self-indulgence to Self-awareness. We can choose thoughts that are peaceful rather than ego-centered. In fact, we actually want to choose peace. Isn't that a nice change?
- Swami Lotus

We can look outside ourselves endlessly dreaming, or we can look inside and awaken.
- Swami Lotus

The fruit of going beyond the mind is enlightenment.
- Swami Lotus

Be the watcher, not the watched.
- Swami Lotus

There is only one refuge - only one safe place - our own Heart.
- Swami Lotus

Drama is not dharma.
- Swami Lotus

What would our lives be if we never went up and down with our circumstances?
- Swami Lotus

Trying to manipulate circumstances to our own comfort levels is limiting and ultimately useless.
- Swami Lotus

We often feel like we carry the weight of the worls when all our backpacks contain are our own attachments.
- Swami Lotus

Maybe we already have everything we need. What makes us believe that we don't?...The difficulty comes because our perceptions are limited, not because there is any lack. Go within. Establish an unshakeable relationship with Source.
- Swami Lotus

We're nothing. What a relief!
- Swami Lotus

Many say that they can't dance. Whose definition of dance are they referring to? Think beyond definitions and see that everything you do is a dance whether it is recognized in the conventional way or not. The real dance is ours alone to determine.
- Swami Lotus

If we do things for others without awareness of our motives we could be doing harm.  The first step in selfless service is to make ourselves strong by spiritual practice adn self-examination. When we have "ripened" our egos so there is no idea of personal gain, we act selflessly and are of great service.
- Swami Lotus

All we do has something for ourselves in it, even the most altruistic actions. Realizing this allows us to change self-absorption to Self-absorption.
- Swami Lotus

We are inspired in stillness. When we are inspired, we succeed.
- Swami Lotus

Develop your ability to be solitary. Find the Silence inside yourself that you already are and rely on it completely. Remove unnecessary stimulation. Be in the world but not of it.
- Swami Lotus