Eternity.

The Tao is infinite, eternal. Why it is eternal? It was never born; thus it can never die. Why is it infinite? It has no desires for itself; thus it is present for all beings ... Tao te Ching 7, quoted after Novak Philip, The World's Wisdom, P.147.

Jesus said, "When you see one who was not born of woman, fall on your faces and worship. That is your father." Gospel of Thomas, 15.

As soon as a man is fully exposed to be alone with God, he is alone with God no matter where he may be - in the country, the monastery, the woods or the city.  The lightning flashes from east to west, illuminating the whole horizon and striking where it pleases and at the same instant the infinite liberty of God flashes in the depths of that man's soul, and he is illumined. At that moment he sees that though he seems to be in the middle of his journey, he has already arrived at the end. For the life of grace on earth is the beginning of the life of glory. Although he is a traveller in time, he has opened his eyes, for a moment, in eternity. Merton, Thomas. Thoughts In Solitude. P. 96. Submitted by Gary Horn <ghorn@uswest.com>

(…) Therefore, little children, decide seriously for God because everything passes away. God alone does not pass away. Pray that you may discover the greatness and the joy of life which God is giving you. (…). Our Lady of Medjugorie, May 25, 1989. Words From Heaven, P.254.

There was something formless and perfect before the universe was born. It is serene. Empty. Solitary. Unchanging. Infinite. Eternally present. It is the mother of the universe. For lack of a better name, I call it the Tao. Tao te Ching 25, quoted after Novak Philip, The World's Wisdom, P.148.

The Now in which God created the first man and the Now in which the last man will disappear and the Now in which I am speaking - all are the same in God, and there is only one Now. Attributed to Meister Eckhart (1260-1327), quoted after: Novak Philip, The World's Wisdom, P.270.

(...) there is in every human heart such hunger for the absolute that eternity, which is allegedly a timeless absolute, has often been confused with immortality. which is only a perpetual reprieve and a long chain of vicissitudes. I can see why people want the absolute. I want it too. But why go so far to look for it? It is there all around us, beneath our footsteps, in each of our gestures. (...) Whether the judgment of future centuries will be favorable or hostile to you, nothing will ever prevent you having passionately loved this painting, this cause, this woman, or having lived this love from day to day - lived it, willed it, undertaken it - or having been involved completely in it. The Writings of Jean-Paul Sartre. Vol.2. P.173-4.

Eternal life is for God alone, He lives forever; and whoever merges himself in his source, that is, in God, praised be He, also enjoys eternal life (...). Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav. Quoted after: Miriam Bokser Caravella, The Holy Name. P.25.

(...) I am talking of the Ocean of Satchidananda, the Ocean of Immortality. Here one need not be afraid of death. Only fools say that one should not have too much of divine ecstasy. Can anybody carry to excess the love of God? You must dive deep in the Ocean of God. Ramakrishna, quoted in: Nikhilananda, Vivekananda, A Biography, P.25.

(…) A venerable Yogi, a master in the art of longevity, himself over 1000 years old, comes to teach me his art. I fully respect and sincerely admire his achievements, yet all I can tell him is: of what use is longevity to me? I am beyond time. However long a life may be, it is but a moment and a dream. (…). Sri Maharaj Nisargadatta. (2005). I am That. P.35.


See also the related subjects: God's Attributes, Presence

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Last updated: 2013/05/20