Saint Anton was living in the desert when a young man approached him.

"Father, I sold everything I owned, and gave the proceeds to the poor.  I kept only a few things that could help me to survive out here.  I would like you to show me the path to salvation."

Saint Anton asked that the lad sell the few things that he had kept, and -- with the money -- buy some meat in the city.  When he returned, he was to strap the meat to his body.

The young man did as he was instructed.  As he was returning, he was attacked by dogs and falcons who wanted the meat.

"I'm back," said the young man, showing the father his wounded body and his tattered clothing.

"Those who embark in a new direction and want to keep a bit of the old life, wind up lacerated by their own past," said the saint.

The master says:

"Make use of every blessing that God gave you today.  A blessing cannot be saved.  There is no bank where we can deposit blessings received, to use them when we see fit.  If you do not use them, they will be irretrievably lost.

"God knows that we are creative artists when it comes to our lives.  On one day, he gives us clay for sculpting, on another, brushes and canvas, or a pen.  But we can never use clay on our canvas, nor pens in sculpture.

"Each day has its own miracle.  Accept the blessings, work, and create your minor works of art today.

"Tomorrow you will receive others."

The monastery on the bank of the Rio Piedra is surrounded by beautiful vegetation -- it is a true oasis within the sterile fields of that part of Spain.  There, the small river becomes a mighty current, and is split into dozens of waterfalls.

The wanderer is walking through the area, hearing the music of the waters.  Suddenly, a grotto -- behind one of the cataracts -- captures his attention.  He studies the rocks, worn by time, and regards the lovely forms created patiently by nature.  And he finds a verse by R. Tagore inscribed on a plaque:

"It was not a hammer that made these rocks so perfect, but water -- with its sweetness, its dance and its song."

Where force can only destroy, gentleness can sculpt.

The master says:

"Many people are fearful of happiness.  For such persons, to be content in life means they must change a number of their habits -- and lose their sense of identity.

"Often we become indignant at the good things that befall us.  We do not accept them, because to do so causes us to feel that we are in God's debt.

"We think: 'Better not to drink from the chalice of happiness, because, when it is empty, we will suffer greatly.'

"Out of a fear of shrinking, we fail to grow.  Out of a fear of weeping, we fail to laugh."

One afternoon at the monastery at Sceta, one of the monks offended another.  The superior of the monastery, Brother Sisois, asked that the offended monk forgive his aggressor.

"I cannot do that," responded the monk.  "It was he that did this, and it he who must pay."

At that very moment, Brother Sisois raised his arms to heaven and began to pray:

"My Jesus, we no longer have need of thee.  We are now capable of making the aggressor pay for his offenses.  We are now able to take vengeance into our own hands, and to deal with Good and Evil.  Therefore, You can leave us on our own, and their will be no problem."

Ashamed, the monk immediately pardoned his brother.

A disciple said: "All masters say that spiritual treasure is discovered through solitary search.  So, then, why are we all together here?"

"You are together because a forest is always stronger than a solitary tree," the master answered.  "The forest conserves humidity, resists the hurricane and helps the soil to be fertile.  But what makes a tree strong is its roots.  And the roots of a plant cannot help another plant to grow.

"To be joined together in the same purpose is to allow each person to grow in his own fashion, and that is the path of those who wish to commune with God."

When the wanderer was ten years old, his mother insisted that he tak a course in physical education.  One of the activities required him to jump from a bridge into a river.

Early in the course, he was paralyzed by fear.  Each day, he stood last in line, and suffered every time one of those in front made his jump -- because it would shortly be his turn. 

One day, the instructor -- noticing his fear -- made him take the first jump.  Although he was still frightened, it was over so quickly that the fright was replaced by courage.

The master says:

"Often, we can afford to take our time.  But there are occasions when we must roll up our sleeves and resolve a situation.  In such cases, there is nothing worse than delay."

Buddha was seated among his disciples one morning when a man approached the gathering. 

"Does God exist," he asked.

"Yes, God exists," Buddha answered.

After lunch, another man appeared.  "Does God exist?" he asked. 

"No, God does not exist," Buddha answered.

Late in the day, a third man asked Buddha the same question, and Buddha's response was: "You must decide for yourself."

"Master, this is absurd," said one of the disciples.  "How can you give three different answers to the same question?"

"Because they were different persons," answered the Enlightened One.  "And each person approaches God in his own way: some with certainty, some with denial and some with doubt."

We are all concerned with taking action, doing things, resolving problems, providing for others.  We are always trying to plan something, conclude something else, discover a third.

There is nothing wrong with that -- after all, that is how we build and modify the world.  But the act of Adoration is also a part of life.

To stop from time to time, to escape one's self, and to stand silent before the Universe.

To kneel down, body and soul.  Without asking for something, without thinking, without even giving thanks for anything.  Just to experience the warmth of the love that surrounds us.  At such moments, unexpected tears may appear -- tears neither of happiness nor sadness.

Do not surprised at that.  It is a gift.  The tears are cleansing your soul.

The master says:

"If you must cry, cry like a child.

"You were once a child, and one of the first things you learned in life was to cry, because crying is a part of life.  Never forget that you are free, and that to show your emotions is not shameful.

"Scream, sob loudly, make as much noise as you like.  Because that is how children cry, and they know the fastest way to put their hearts at ease.

"Have you ever noticed how children stop crying?  They stop because something distracts them.  Something calls them to the next adventure.

"Children stop crying very quickly.

"And that's how it will be for you.  But only if you can cry as children do."