by Satyanarayana Dasa: Long ago, Japan was ruled by King Yamato. He had a minister whose name was Ocho San. Ocho San had a big joint family that was famous for its cordiality and the love among its members. The family had more than a hundred members but they lived together peacefully and had a common kitchen. There was no quarrel among the family members. Anybody who visited the family was received cordially and left impressed by the service and reception by the family members.

by Satyanarayana Dasa: The mind is considered to be the prime cause of bondage, as well as misery and liberation, enmity and friendship. Mind is our link to the world outside as well as a link to inner peace. By itself, mind is neither friend or foe, nor good or bad. It all depends on how we make use of it. A mind attached to sense pleasures is our greatest enemy.

by Satyanarayana Dasa: This world is the interplay of two types of energies—spiritual and material. Everything we see around us or experience is a combination of these two energies. These energies are manifest at various levels. Life is a manifestation of spiritual energy through matter. In immobile objects, such as a piece of stone, it is material energy which is prominent and spiritual energy is in a dormant state.