Elements of Happiness

“Sphere” | Anthony Satori

“It is the possession of a great heart or a great mind, and not the mere fame of it, which is worth having and which is conducive to happiness. Not fame, but that which deserves to be famous, is what one should hold in esteem. Fame itself is only an accident.

Likewise, one who deserves fame without getting it possesses by far the more important element of happiness. It is not that a person is thought to be great by the masses… but that a person really is great, which should move us to value their position. And their happiness should not derive from the fact that posterity may hear of them, but rather from the fact that they are the creator of thoughts worthy to be treasured and studied.”

– Arthur Schopenhauer

The Sage’s Mind

“Ocean Cave” | Anthony Satori

“The ten thousand things are insufficient to distract the sage’s mind – that is the reason he is still. In the midst of darkness, he alone sees the dawn. In the midst of soundlessness, he alone hears harmony.”

– Lao Tzu

Between Eternities

“California Poppies in Spring” | Anthony Satori

“A positive and cheerful state of mind is a direct and immediate gain – the very currency, as it were, of happiness. It is not, like all else, merely a cheque upon the bank. For it alone makes us immediately happy in the present moment, and that is the highest blessing for beings like us, whose existence is but an infinitesimal moment between two eternities.”

– Arthur Schopenhauer

Every spring, when I see the California poppies bloom, it fills my heart with warmth. It reminds me that love exists outside of time and space. It reminds me that every single day of this brief lifetime – this exquisite and most precious moment between eternities that we’ve been given – is an opportunity for us to manifest our inner light, to engage in acts of compassion, kindness, goodness, and love, and to expand our enlightened mind.

These beautiful, vibrantly orange-colored flowers bloom every spring, and then disappear. But the sensations that they awaken within me remain vividly present, all year around. I truly believe that love – real love – once created, can never be destroyed. And joy, indeed, is the infallible sign of the presence of God. And every time we engage from a pure heart with the Spirit of Light and Love within us, we touch eternity.

They Alone See Truly

“The Field” | Anthony Satori

“Whatever exists, animate or inanimate, is born through the union of the field and its knower. They alone see truly, who see the spirit of God the same in every creature. Seeing the same God everywhere, they do not harm themselves or others. Thus they attain the supreme goal.”

– The Bhagavad Gita

What is Sacred?

“Enzo Revisited” | Anthony Satori

“There are only four questions of value in life: What is sacred? Of what is the spirit made? What is worth living for, and what is worth dying for? The answer to each is the same: Only love.”

– Lord Byron

Dreams All Made Real

“Columns” | Anthony Satori

“Looking down on empty streets, all she can see, are the dreams all made solid, are the dreams all made real. All of the buildings, all of the cars, were all just a dream in somebody’s head.”

– Peter Gabriel

Life is a Song

“Love” | Anthony Satori

“Life is a song – sing it. Life is a game – play it. Life is a challenge – meet it. Life is a dream – realize it. Life is a sacrifice – offer it. Life is love – enjoy it.”

– Sai Baba