summer

It is not vast quantities of mechanical work that appeals to the Divine, but it is the link with the divine consciousness established through that work that matters.This consideration of the spirit in which the work is done is of the utmost relevance to all of us who want to progress toward divine consciousness.When one is conscious during work, that quality of consciousness is naturally imparted to what one is working with or upon.Such work retains the vibration of that person and they link others immediately with that cause.
 

If only he could work faster.Yet if he did work faster, how could he produce paintings grounded in deep beds of contemplation, the only way living things could be stilled long enough to understand them?And wasn't everything he painted--a breadbasket, a pitcher, a jewelry box, a copper pan--wasn’t it all living?
 

The manner in which we carry out all our work has a direct bearing on our spiritual health.
 

To do work carefully and well, with love and respect for the nature of my task and with due attention to its purpose, is to unite myself with God's will in my work.I become an instrument for God to work through me.
 

"We don’t really have to do a perfect job."

"Nobody will be able to tell, though."

"That’s not the point, not the point at all.The old masters didn't care whether anyone could see their flaws or not.They wanted to do as well as they could, because their work was a gift to God, who deserved their best.That’s all gone; now what's important is whether anyone will notice the difference, and how much it will all cost.It changes the spirit of the building forever."
 

Ludmilla taught me that we can pray anywhere, during any kind of work that is being done attentively and well and to the best of our ability.In such work, God is present.We only have to know this and try to give it our heart.Many people wish to have spiritual development without obstacles or even effort, and so they will never understand God’s love or the poverty of our humanity.
 

A hidden river runs beneath the conscious layers of our lives.We become fatigued not from overwork, but from how much energy it takes to stage our lives in order to drown out the sounds of the river inside us.
 

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for anyone else.
 

Society functions at its very best when each member finds security in their place in the social structure.When all members can be gainfully employed, yet have individual initiative, when they can excel in their own craft and find satisfaction in their work contributing to the overall goals of society, then there exists harmony and a sense of community.When members have an interest in the continuity of their community, great deeds can be accomplished.This is because the many work for the One.
 

The mountains, rivers, earth
grasses, trees, and forests
are always emanating a subtle,
precious light,
day and night, always emanating
a subtle, precious sound,
demonstrating and expounding
to all people
the unsurpassed, ultimate truth.