Reading is really beneficial to meditation especially if you sit down to meditate and your mind is reeling from the events of the day. By reading inspirational books, it settles the thoughts and puts you into more of a meditative space.

There is a wealth of inspirational literature available these days; from biographies of Spiritual Masters, positive affirmations and of course my own meditation teacher, Sri Chinmoy's writtings, who has written over 2000 books! Books on poetry, prose, stories, anecdotes and more.

I have a love of poetry and like anything you try to do, it gives a better sense of appreciation for the subjec. Sri Chinmoy has written hundreds of thousands of poems in many styles and perspectives. All of which reflect wisdom, purity and a sincere cry for the highest, a divinities that lies at the core of all creation.

In 2007, one of my favourite books '700 Wisdom-Flowers' was published. I have selected a few, okay quite a few, of my favourite zen like poems. I hope you too enjoy them! 

Every day you must allow wisdom  to enter into your mind-room without any obstruction

Paradise is not a place; it is a state of conciousness

The tree needs the branches; the branches need the tree.

It is a long way to go, but if you do not start then how will you move at all?

If you can make progress, you are bound to feel happiness.

Age is in the mind, age is not in the heart.

The sun shines for everybody. Some people take advantage of ot while others do not.

Somebody has to start; then from one it spreads to many.

Do not think of the past. Do not think of the future. Think only of the present.

Forgiveness and happiness are twins.

Everything depends on the goals you set.

 A life without faults and failings is a life founded apon dreams and not apon reality

The difficulty is we try to perfect others before we perfect ourselves

Mine is the heart to challenge at every moment my life's limits

You cannot live on yesterdays food

You have to concentrate on only one thing: the positive side of life and not the negative side of life.

Make your heart full then start giving and not before.

No sincere attempt ends in vain

Remain cheerful, for nothing destructive can pierce through the solid wall of cheerfulness.

Like the sun I shall rise and serve the world with no expectation

The acceptance of responsibility is not the exceptance of a burden but a multiplication of opportunity

Be wise, buy peace, buy.
Tomorrow the price will go high

Imagine peace here and now

Not the distance travelled but the destination reached

 If I really want peace in my life, then  I must not busy myself with what others say or do.

Today's dream is tomorrow's reality

We have to give due value and importance to time

Where love is thick, fault is thin

If you waste an hour, then it is lost to you forever

Only by working hard both inwardly and outwardly can you become what you want to be.

May I live far beyond the dormant success and failure-life.

Always compete with yourself; do not compete with anybody else.

The Golden Age has decided not to sleep any more. It is about to wake up and illumine the world once again.

-Sri Chinmoy