“The Earth provides enough to satisfy every mans need, but not every mans GREED”
“The future depends on what we do in the present”
“I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet”
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world”
“There is more to life than increasing its speed”
“NOBODY can hurt me without my permission”
Mahatma Gandhi 1869-1948
Leader of the Indian independence movement against the British rule of the time. Most memorable for his non violence approach, leading his fellow countrymen on a 400km march to the salt pans of Dandi in protest of the British imposed salt tax. Living modestly Gandhi wore the traditional Indian dhoti which he hand spun on his charkha.
He ate simple vegetarian food and undertook long fasts as a means of both self purification and political protest. October 2nd is Gandhi’s birthday and worldwide has become the international day of non violence, in India it is also a national holiday.
“A spiritually established life is not an easy task. But a materially satisfied life is an impossible task” Sri Chinmoy
Sri Chinmoy 1931 – 2007
An Indian spiritual teacher in the art of meditation. After moving to New York in 1964 he set up hos first meditation centre eventually having over 7,000 students from 60 countries world wide. He accredited his spiritual path to God and through meditation realised inner enlightenment. A passionate runner and weightlifter and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
Sogyal Rinpoche quote
“Meditation is bring the mind home” Sogyal Rinpoche
Sogyal Rinpoche 1947 – present
Is a Tibetan Dzogchen Lama from the Buddhist tradition. Born in Tibet he was recognised at an early age as the reincarnation of Terton Sogyal and started his monastic training at Dzongsar Monastery. Founder of over 100 Buddhist meditation centres in 23 countries around the world, and author of the internationally best selling “The Tibetan book of living and dying”
Francis of Assisi quote
“For it is in giving that we receive” Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi 1182 – 1226
An Italian born catholic friar and preacher who set up and founded the men’s ‘Order of friars minor’ and the women’s ‘Order of Saint Clare’. One of the most well know figures in religious history and known as patron Saint of animals. It was also Saint Francis who was he first person to arrange a Christmas Nativity.
Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati quote
“Quiet the mind and the soul will speak” Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati
Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati 1940 – 2012
Was a spiritual teacher and author born in Brooklyn, United States. A chance encounter with a yogic breath exercise led to a spiritual awakening. Considered by many as someone who had attained inner enlightenment, she was influenced by Jesus Christ, Hinduism and Saint Bhagawan Nityananda. Affiliated to no religion she taught only Loving kindnessand compassion. She founded the Kashi Ashram in Florida in 1976.
Eckhart Tolle quote
“It is through gratitude for the present moment that the spiritual dimension of life opens up” Eckhart Tolle
Eckhart Tolle 1948 – present
Is a German Canadian spiritual teacher and author, best known for his work “the power of now”. He has been heralded as one of the most influential people living today. Born in a small town just outside of Dortmund, Germany, Tolle himself describes his childhood as depressing, until the age 29 when living and studying in London, he was to experience an inner transformation that left him with an ever lasting inner peace and tranquility.
Cory Booker Quote
“You can’t have a physical transformation until you have a spiritual transformation” Cory Booker
Cory Booker 1969 – present
An American politician and member of the Democratic Party. He is serving as the junior United States senator for New Jersey. The first African-American US senator from New Jersey.
Gurumayi Chidvilasananda quote
“Meditate, let the light of the heart engulf you” Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
Gurumayi Chidvilasananda 1955 – present
Is an Indian born spiritual teacher and currently head of the Siddha Yoga Path. She is a highly accomplished international author with 15 books to her name. She is founder of countless organisations to help people achieve lives of self reliance and dignity.
Amongst the Royal Family members, Lady Di, as she was affectionately known, is regarded as one of the most popular figures thought the royalist history. Her legacy and campaigns to ban land mines, the Great Ormand Street Hospital, cancer, mental illness and helping those with HIV and AIDS are still growing and thriving today.
Diana was born into the British aristocratic family of Spencer, the youngest daughter to the Viscount and Viscountess Althorp, educated in England and Switzerland she became known as Lady Diana Spencer in 1975. Diana’s engagement and marriage to Prince Charles, eldest son of Elizabeth II and heir to the throne of England, was to put Diana truly in the lime light, loved and adored by millions on every official overseas and home engagement. It wasn’t just a shock to a nation, on the announcement of her death, but the who world mourned the loss of the people’s Princess. Her death is still surrounded in conspiracy and mystery.
Abraham Lincoln quote
Abraham Lincoln 1809 – 1865
American lawyer and politician serving as the 16th president of the United States of America. A remarkable man who led his country through civil war described as the bloodiest war America has ever known, he abolished slavery, strengthened the federal government and considered by many to be the forefather of the modern economy with methods first introduced during his presidency.
Lincoln had grown up in a poor family upbringing in Kentucky, largely self educated he was an avid reader and having a life long interest in learning, compelling Lincoln to his destiny. Lincoln married Miss Marry Todd in 1842 the daughter a wealthy slave holding family, they were to have four children of which only one survived to adulthood. This is said to have had a profound effect of both Lincoln and his wife for the rest of there lives. Lincoln was assassinated in April 1865 a few days after successfully reuniting two opposing forces at war with remarkable policy’s of reconciliation. A highly revered man in not only presidential history but of the history of the United States of America itself.
Confucius quote
Confucius 551 – 479BC
A teacher, politician, philosopher and founder of the Confucianism movement. Confucius is considered by many to be one of the most important and influential people to of shaped human history. A high honour indeed. Confucius’s beliefs of moral conduct have been emphasised and repeated in many religions and philosophies of today. His teachings on morality emphasising self cultivation, ethics, sincerity, a cultivation of knowledge, virtuous acts towards other beings and the etiquette of daily behaviour. Complex and sometimes considered outrage of his time, Confucius had a persuasive calm that attracted many followers eventually setting up hundreds of schools teaching the very principals Confucius modelled himself on.
After banishment from a political career, Confucius spent years wandering the Chinese countryside teaching all those who would hear. Finally returning home at the age of 68 where he practiced and taught his methods until his last days.
Most famously known or ethical principal is “Do not do unto others what you do not want done to yourself” often wrongly accredited to other religions.
Lucille Ball quote
Lucille Ball 1911 – 1989
An American actress, model, comedian and the first female to run and produce a major television studio ‘Desilu productions’ producing many popular and classic shows including Star Trek and Mission Impossible both now major film franchises.
She starred in self produced sitcoms such as ‘I love Lucy’ and ‘The Lucy show’. Born in New York where her father died when Lucille was just three years old and her mother heavily pregnant with there second child. She was raised by her grandparents at the summer resort village of Celoron on lake Chautauqua. Her mother remarried four years later and it was her new husbands parents who cared for her, a Swedish couple later referred to as odd by Lucille herself. It was however her stepfather, Edward Peterson who’s passion for performance and the theatre that got Lucille her first role at just 12 years old, cementing a appetite for fame and recognition.
Margaret Laurence quote
Margret Laurence 1926 – 1987
A Canadian novelist and short story writer considered by many as a leading role in Canadian literature. Laurence began writing short stories from as early as her teens, her first published work “The land of our Father” was printed in the Winnipeg free press. Her most loved and revered works include ‘The stone angle’ ‘The Diviners’ and ‘A Jest of God’
Margret Laurence is also recognised as the founder of the writers trust of Canada, a non profit organisation encouraging and nurturing Canada’s literacy talent. She was diagnosed with lung cancer at a very late stage that spread quickly throughout her body, with no help other than palliative care she decided to relieve her family of the burden and suffering and committed suicide on January 5th 1987, documenting the course of her actions right to the death.
