When awareness expands, events that seem random actually aren't. A larger purpose is trying to unfold through you. When you become aware of that purpose- which is unique for each person- you become like an architect who has been handed the blueprint.

You discover the goal of existence by living it. The present is the only time when you can evolve, experience the divine, expand your awareness, or reach enlightenment. But this cannot be a haphazard journey that falters and wanders off the path. It's easy for that to happen when a crisis develops. Sudden losses and setbacks shake everyone up; those who keep moving forward are buoyed by knowing that their path cannot be destroyed, only interrupted.

Success in life could be defined as the continued expansion of happiness and the progressive realization of worthy goals.

Stop. Take 3 deep breaths and smile everywhere in your body, observing what's happening in your body. Proceed now with kindness and understanding.

The most intriguing thing about the present moment is that it never grows old.

Your mind is the knife that cuts the continuum of space and time into neat slices of linear experience.

As a physician who was smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, getting drunk on weekends, stressed out about having 35 patients in the hospital, and not being able to help either them or myself, I had my existential crisis way before I met Maharishi. I did meet him and he was an influence, but I met many other people as well.