What is the essence of theosophy? It is the fact that man, being himself divine, can know the divinity whose life he shares. As an inevitable corollary to this supreme truth comes the fact of the brotherhood of man.
Annie BesantRead
The Self in you is the same as the Self Universal. Whatever powers are manifested throughout the world, those powers exist in germ, in latency, in you.... If you realize the unity of the Self amid the diversities of the Not-Self, then Yoga Will not seem an impossible thing to you.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the idea of unity between the individual self and a universal self, suggesting that our inner potential reflects the broader forces in the world.
Annie Besant's quote conveys the profound philosophical belief that each individual embodies the universal essence of existence. It suggests that by recognizing and understanding this unity, despite the apparent differences in our individual selves, we can tap into our inherent potential and make the practice of yoga, which seeks this unity, accessible rather than daunting. The quote encourages a deeper self-awareness and understanding of one's connection to the larger cosmos.
Themes
SelfUnityYogaPotentialUniversal
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophy class discussing the concept of self and universal consciousness.
More from Annie Besant
All quotes →No durable things are built on violent passion. Nature grows her plants in silence and in darkness, and only when they have become strong do they put their heads above the ground.
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Death consists, indeed, in a repeated process of unrobing, or unsheathing. The immortal part of man shakes off from itself, one after the other, its outer casings, and - as the snake from its skin, the butterfly from its chrysalis - emerges from one after another, passing into a higher state of consciousness.
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Let Indian history be set side by side with Europe history with what there is of the latter century by century and let us see whether India need blush at the comparison.
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My own life in India, since I came to it in 1893 to make it my home, has been devoted to one purpose, to give back to India her ancient freedom.
Annie BesantRead
Knowledge is essential to conquest; only according to our ignorance are we helpless. Thought creates character. Character can dominate conditions. Will creates circumstances and environment.
Annie BesantRead
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