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concept

Power

The concept of power across world spiritual traditions generally refers to inner strength and the ability to shape one's life. Many traditions converge on the idea that true power comes from within and is often associated with self-discipline and wisdom. However, traditions diverge in their views on how power is cultivated and exercised, offering unique perspectives.

10,860 quotes

Across traditions

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Quotes

He is indeed a wise and excellent person who has conquered his own anger and shows forgiveness even when insulted, oppressed, and provoked by a powerful person.
Vyasa
HinduTeachingForgivenessWisdomSanskrit
Mahabharata, p. 891
Avidya is a form of Prakriti that obscures the spiritual powers of the individual soul, forming a veil that hides the Supreme from the individual's vision.
Swami Sivananda
HinduTeachingDifferencesSoul
All About Hinduism, p. 150
Every human soul has the potential to be divine.
Baba Hardev Singh Ji
UniversalTeachingSoulGod
Spiritual Awakening, p. 14
Krishna told Arjuna that having even one occult power would prevent him from realizing God.
Krishna
HinduScriptureOnenessTruth
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, p. 467
He has no purpose or instrument to achieve. There is seen none equal to Him or greater. His supreme power is described as manifold — natural, of the nature of knowledge, strength and action.
HinduTeachingGodPowerSanskrit
Shvetashvatara Upanishad 6.8
The psychic personality within us blossoms as the saint, the sage, or the seer. When it reaches its full potential, it directs the being toward self-awareness and the divine, toward the highest truth, goodness, beauty, love, and bliss, and the divine expanses, opening us to the experience of spiritual sympathy, universality, and oneness.
Sri Aurobindo
HinduTeachingAttainmentLove
The Life Divine, p. 253
It placed a blade of grass before him and said, carry this away. He rushed at it with all his might and could not carry it. He returned saying, I was not able to find out what this wondrous being is.
HinduParableHumilityGodSanskrit
Kena Upanishad 3.10
What power is in you? I can carry away everything that exists on this earth.
HinduParableEgoPowerSanskrit
Kena Upanishad 3.9
It placed a blade of grass before him and said, burn this. He rushed at it with all his might and could not burn it. He returned saying, I was not able to find out what this wondrous being is.
HinduParableHumilityGodSanskrit
Kena Upanishad 3.6
What power is in you? I can burn everything that exists on this earth.
HinduParableEgoPowerSanskrit
Kena Upanishad 3.5
This alone is Śiva, this alone is Śiva, this alone is Śiva, this alone is Śiva — by my authority, by my authority, by my authority, by my authority.
HinduScriptureGuruDoubtSanskrit
Guru Gita 97
A warrior's strength lies in physical power, but a Brahmin's strength lies in forgiveness.
Vyasa
HinduTeachingForgivenessBodySanskrit
Mahabharata, p. 514
It is the self-luminous Atman that, through the power of its own maya, imagines all the objects that the subject experiences, both within and outside, by itself and within itself.
Vedic Sages
HinduTeachingSelf RealisationSoulSanskrit
The Upanishads, p. 74
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.
St. John of the Cross
ChristianScriptureLoveSoul
Ascent of Mount Carmel, p. 282
A gnostic being will have not only a truth-conscious control over the physical world through the realized spirit's power but also the full power of the mental and vital planes, utilizing their greater forces to perfect physical existence.
Sri Aurobindo
HinduTeachingMindSoul
The Life Divine, p. 1031
The Being and its Consciousness Force, Spirit and Nature, are not fundamentally separate. What Nature does is actually done by the Spirit.
Sri Aurobindo
HinduTeachingMindSoul
The Life Divine, p. 384
The mind can be controlled and annihilated through self-enquiry, by questioning 'Who am I?'. This is the most effective method. It leads to the annihilation of the mind. This approach is based on Vedanta. One can realize the illusory nature of the mind through philosophical contemplation.
Swami Sivananda
HinduTeachingMeditationMind
Mind — Its Mysteries and Control, p. 231
Thought is a vital, living force, the most vital, subtle, and irresistible force in the universe.
Swami Sivananda
HinduTeachingMindCreation
Mind — Its Mysteries and Control, p. 76
Life is a journey of transformation from impurity to purity, hatred to love, death to immortality, imperfection to perfection, and slavery to freedom, ultimately leading to eternal bliss and infinite strength.
Swami Sivananda
HinduTeachingLoveReformation
Bliss Divine, p. 281
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