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conduct

Effort

Effort refers to the exertion of will or energy towards a goal in spiritual growth. Many traditions converge on the importance of balance and mindfulness in effort. They diverge in the degree and nature of effort required for spiritual progress.

4,591 quotes

Across traditions

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Quotes

You have been born in this world as a human being to worship God, so try to cultivate love for his divine presence.
Ramakrishna Paramhamsa
HinduTeachingDevotionLove
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, p. 780
Among thousands of people, scarcely one strives for perfection; and even among those who strive and succeed, scarcely one knows me as I truly am.
मनुष्याणां सहस्रेषु कश्चिद्यतति सिद्धये | यततामपि सिद्धानां कश्चिन्मां वेत्ति तत्त्वतः ||७-३||
Krishna
HinduTeachingGod RealisationEffortSanskrit
Bhagavad Gita 7.3
This Self cannot be attained by the weak, nor through carelessness, nor through austerity practiced without the right marks. But for the wise one who strives by these means, this Self enters the abode of Brahman.
(आत्मा वृणुते) नायमात्मा बलहीनेन लभ्यो न च प्रमादात्तपसो वाप्यलिङ्गात् । एतैरुपायैर्यतते यस्तु विद्वां- स्तस्यैष आत्मा विशते ब्रह्मधाम ॥ ४॥
HinduTeachingSelf RealisationEffortSanskrit
Mundaka Upanishad 3.2.4
Yoga is hard to attain for one whose self is uncontrolled — this is my view; but for one who strives, with the self mastered, it can be attained by the right means.
असंयतात्मना योगो दुष्प्राप इति मे मतिः | वश्यात्मना तु यतता शक्योऽवाप्तुमुपायतः ||६-३६||
Krishna
HinduTeachingSelf ControlEffortSanskrit
Bhagavad Gita 6.36
If the Lord Hari is displeased, the Guru can still be one's protector; but if the Guru is displeased, no one can save you. Therefore, with every effort, take refuge in the Guru.
हरौ रुष्टे गुरुस्त्राता गुरौ रुष्टे न कश्चन । तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन श्रीगुरुं शरणं व्रजेत्
HinduScriptureGuruOnenessSanskrit
Guru Gita 79
For there are two other causes, besides exertion, that lead to success. Whether there is success or failure, one should not despair, because success in actions depends on the union of many circumstances.
Vyasa
HinduTeachingOnenessActionSanskrit
Mahabharata, p. 899
You should stick to your duty and gain the reward that comes from hard work and pain.
Valmiki
HinduTeachingAttainmentActionSanskrit
Ramayana of Valmiki, p. 1080
The person who elevates their thoughts, sets an ideal, and strives to live up to it will soon attain a deep sense of connection with the divine.
Swami Sivananda
HinduTeachingAttainmentMind
Thought Power, p. 84
One who is content with whatever they receive without effort, free from dualities, without envy, and balanced in success and failure, remains unbound even while acting.
Krishna
HinduTeachingContentmentHarmony
Practice of Karma Yoga, p. 122-123
This is not Karma Yoga, but rather a self-promotional attempt to gain fame. In contrast, a common laborer who earns a meager living through hard work may choose to donate their earnings to feed the hungry or sick, even if it means they themselves go without food that day. This is true self-sacrifice and genuine Karma Yoga.
Swami Sivananda
HinduTeachingAltruismAttainment
Practice of Karma Yoga, p. 60
Work becomes elevated when it's done with the right mindset, free from attachment and egoism.
Swami Sivananda
HinduTeachingEgoMind
Practice of Karma Yoga, p. 25
The main teaching of the Gita is to not be attached to actions. Lord Krishna tells Arjuna, 'Work constantly, but do not expect rewards.'
Krishna
HinduScriptureActionAttachment
Practice of Karma Yoga, p. 11
My advice is to not strive for supernatural powers or rapid Kundalini awakening. Instead, cultivate devotion to God, have complete faith in Him, and embody a spirit of service to humanity. The Kundalini will awaken naturally.
Swami Sivananda
HinduTeachingDevotionEnlightenment
Bliss Divine, p. 279
One who is a devotee of God must possess an unwavering understanding, unshakeable under any circumstances, much like the anvil in a blacksmith's workshop, which, despite being constantly struck by the hammer, remains unshaken.
Ramakrishna Paramhamsa
HinduTeachingDevoteeKnowledge
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, p. 478
God's grace is the ultimate help. You may try thousands of times, but nothing can be achieved without God's grace. One cannot see God without His grace. It's not easy to receive God's grace; one must renounce egotism completely, as one cannot see God as long as they feel they are the doer.
Ramakrishna Paramhamsa
HinduTeachingAttainmentEgo
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, p. 142
If the mind constantly recognizes the presence of the Supreme Power, it will eliminate selfishness and work for the well-being of others.
Baba Hardev Singh Ji
UniversalTeachingMindAction
Gurdev Hardev Part 2, p. 161
'When one truly obtains happiness, then one acts; without obtaining happiness, one does not act; only on obtaining happiness does one act. But one must desire to understand happiness.' 'Sir, I desire to understand happiness.'
यदा वै सुखं लभतेऽथ करोति नासुखं लब्ध्वा करोति सुखमेव लब्ध्वा करोति सुखं त्वेव विजिज्ञासितव्यमिति सुखं भगवो विजिज्ञास इति
HinduTeachingHappinessActionSanskrit
Chandogya Upanishad 7.22.1
'When one truly acts, then one is steadfast; without acting, one is not steadfast; only by acting is one steadfast. But one must desire to understand action.' 'Sir, I desire to understand action.'
यदा वै करोत्यथ निस्तिष्ठति नाकृत्वा निस्तिष्ठति कृत्वैव निस्तिष्ठति कृतिस्त्वेव विजिज्ञासितव्येति कृतिं भगवो विजिज्ञास इति
HinduTeachingActionDedicationSanskrit
Chandogya Upanishad 7.21.1
This mystery should not be disclosed to just anyone. I have revealed it before you. Guard it with all care and effort, for you are dear to me.
इदं रहस्यं नो वाच्यं तवाग्रे कथितं मया । सुगोप्यं च प्रयत्नेन मम त्वं च प्रिया त्विति
HinduScriptureRighteousnessDarknessSanskrit
Guru Gita 178
Initially, the psychic being can only exert a hidden, partial, and indirect influence through the mind, life, and body, as these aspects of nature need to be developed into instruments for its self-expression. As a result, it remains confined by their development for a long time.
Sri Aurobindo
HinduTeachingLongingMind
The Life Divine, p. 253