BAYAZID AL-BISTAMI

There is nothing so lovely and enduring in the regions which surround us, above and below, as the lasting peace of a mind centered in God.

YOGA VASISHTHA

Steering a middle course between elation and depression does not mean resigning ourselves to a flat and monotonous life. Far from it. There is a third state which is neither elation nor depression, and if we can avoid these two extremes, we will find the abiding joy which is our real nature. Most of us have little objection to getting elated, but none of us are very eager to see depression setting in. We don't mind being told not to get depressed, but "Don't let yourself get elated”sounds puritanical. Yet the time to be cautious is when the mind is starting to get elated. That is not the time to pick up the phone and talk and talk. It is an ideal time to repeat the mantrarm, putting to work the energy released in elation.When you are able to see the specter of depression lurking behind elation and have some personal experience of the joy which transcends both, you will come to look upon excitement with a healthy suspicion.

Parvamani.