Top 18 Life Changing Quotes That You Won't Forget

Life is a journey full of lessons, and you don’t always have to deal with tough times to understand them. Some of the most valuable ones can be found in simple yet good, powerful quotes. These quotes may come from different places and times, but they all share something important with us. They not only teach us about understanding ourselves but also guide us through dealing with challenges, and finding meaning in life.

Let's explore some of the Guru Rinpoche’s or Guru Padmasambhava’s quotes from the book, “The Tibetan Book of the Dead.” Together, these are some of the best quotes that uncover the wisdom they hold and how they connect to our own lives.

To know more about Guru Rinpoche, read this blog to get an understanding of his contribution to Tibetan Buddhism. Also, we have a surprise trip planned for you! You can reach from your home to Leh in just 12 minutes. How is this possible? By listening to the soothing and loved Buddhist meditation series (meditating through senses and mantra meditation in addition to Buddhist visualization series) by Chokyong Palga Rinpoche on Ranveer Allahbadia’s meditation app, Level Supermind.

Let's dive into some of the greatest quotes by Guru Rinpoche:

1. “If you want to know your past life, look at your present condition. If you want to know your future life, look at your present actions.”

This quote suggests that your current situation is a result of your past decisions and choices. Likewise, the choices that you make today, in the present, will shape what lies in the future ahead. It's like seeing the effects of your decisions unfold over time.

Also read: Want money? Chant this magic mantra and become rich

2. “Are you oblivious to the sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death? There is no guarantee that you will survive, even past this very day! The time has come [for you] to develop perseverance in [your] practice. For, at this singular opportunity, you could attain the everlasting bliss [of nirvāṇa]. So now is [certainly] not the time to sit idly, But, starting with [the reflection on] death, you should bring your practice to completion! The moments of our life are not expendable, And the [possible] circumstances of death are beyond imagination. If you do not achieve an undaunted confident security now, What point is there in your being alive, O living creature?”

This quote taps on to life’s challenges and urges you to recognize them, like getting older, facing illnesses, and eventually passing away. It's a call to embrace these realities and find ways to navigate them with strength. 

Also read: What is the best time to meditate: Morning, evening, or?

3. “Abandon your notions of the past, without attributing a temporal sequence! Cut off your mental associations regarding the future, without anticipation! Rest in a spacious modality, without clinging to [the thoughts of] the present. Do not meditate at all, since there is nothing upon which to meditate. Instead, revelation will come through undistracted mindfulness — Since there is nothing by which you can be distracted.”

This quote emphasizes the need to focus on the present moment and let go of being stuck on what happened before or worrying about what's to come. It's about being fully present and experiencing life as it unfolds.

4. “You don’t have to be a philosopher; you just have to want to know who you are.”

This quote upholds the belief that you don't need to be an expert to explore your own identity. All you need is a genuine curiosity and self awareness about understanding yourself better.

Also read: Should you meditate after eating or before?

5. “In modern science the methods of analysis are principally applied to investigating the nature of material entities. Thus, the ultimate nature of matter is sought through a reductive process and the macroscopic world is reduced to the microscopic world of particles. Yet, when the nature of these particles is further examined, we find that ultimately their very existence as objects is called into question.”

This quote points out that even in science, when we delve deep into the nature of matter, things can become uncertain and less straightforward than they seem at first glance. When examined deeply, it hints at the limits of materialistic explanations.

Also read:Om mani padme hum: Your actual evil eye for protection in real life

6. “If, upon looking outwards towards the external expanse of the sky, There are no projections emanated by the mind, And if, on looking inwards at one’s own mind, There is no projectionist who projects [thoughts] by thinking them, Then, one’s own mind, completely free from conceptual projections, will become luminously clear.”

This quote talks about finding clarity in your thoughts by observing the world around you without getting lost in your thoughts. It's like focusing on the beauty around you and calming your mind.

7. “Please guide all beings from this swamp of cyclic existence!”

This quote expresses a heartfelt wish for everyone to find their way out of the troubles and struggles of different phases of life, seeking a better, more peaceful existence.

Also read: How to know which of your 7 chakras is out of balance

8. “O, [you], with your mind far away, thinking that death will not come, Entranced by the pointless activities of this life, If you were to return empty-handed now, would not your [life’s] purpose have been [utterly] confused? Recognise what it is that you truly need! It is a sacred teaching [for liberation]! So, should you not practise this divine [sacred] teaching, beginning from this very moment?”

This quote serves as your reminder to prioritize important things in life instead of putting them off because time is passing quickly. It's a nudge to seize opportunities and make the most of your time.

Also read: Your secret mantra for low attention span and a confused mind

9. “Whenever you suffer misfortune or illness, think "This repays my karmic debts from former lifetimes and purifies my negative karma!" No matter what happiness you have, regard it as the kindness of the Three Jewels and arouse the strong yearning of devoted gratitude! When you meet with enmity and hatred, think "This is a good friend helping me to cultivate patience!" Think, "This helper for patience is a messenger sent by the victorious ones!"

This quote suggests that when things go wrong, there’s always a way to fix it. The reason behind this might be a way of balancing out previous actions, giving you a chance to learn and grow from challenges.

10. “All phenomena of samsara and nirvana are your own mind.”

This quote suggests that the way you perceive the world and your experiences is closely tied to your own thoughts and perceptions.

Also read: Is it safe to do Om chanting 108 times?

11. “Your numerous worldly pursuits that are not causes for liberation or omniscient enlightenment will, in addition to being futile, only cause further samsaric misery. So it is essential to exert yourself, heart and soul and in thought, word, and deed, in accomplishing the unexcelled enlightenment!”

This quote advises that chasing only material things won't lead to true contentment. Instead, it's better to focus on inner growth and liberation from suffering.

12. “Again Master Padma said: Tsogyal, I have told this to everyone, but nobody listens. As soon as the Mara of Death catches hold of you, there is no chance for liberation. Those who do not practice the Dharma will regret this when approaching death. The years, months and days pass by without lingering even a second. This life runs out without pausing for even an hour or a minute, and then we die. The seasons continue, but your life finishes and doesn't wait.”

This quote underscores the importance of making the most of the time you have, not procrastinating on things that truly matter.

Also read: Can meditation increase your height naturally after 18?

13. “May all sentient beings be endowed with happiness! May they all be separated from suffering and its causes! May they be endowed with joy, free from suffering! May they abide in equanimity, free from attachment or aversion.”

This quote conveys a heartfelt wish for everyone to find happiness, free from suffering. It's like sending good vibes and well-wishes to everyone.

14. “Within the sky-like empty mind, habitual tendencies and disturbing emotions are just like clouds and mist. When they appear, they appear within the expanse of empty mind. When they remain, they remain within the expanse of empty mind. And when they dissolve, they dissolve in that same expanse of empty mind.”

This quote likens our thoughts and emotions to clouds in the vast sky of the mind. It's about realizing that these thoughts come and go, but the mind itself remains spacious.

15. “Mind is spontaneously present from the beginning. Like the sun, it is free from any basis for the darkness of ignorance. Like a lotus flower, it is untainted by faults. Like gold, it doesn't alter its own nature. Like the ocean, it is unmoving. Like a river, it is unceasing. Like Mount Sumeru, it is utterly unchanging. Once you realize that this is how it is [and stabilize it], that is called 'possessing the view of realization.”

This quote talks about the constant presence of your mind, always aware, clear, and untouched by life's ups and downs.

16. “Be certain that the nature of mind is empty and without foundation. One’s own mind is insubstantial, like an empty sky. Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not. Divorced from views which constructively determine [the nature of] emptiness, be certain that pristine cognition, naturally originating, is primordially radiant- just like the nucleus of the sun, which is itself naturally originating. Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not!”

This quote encourages you to realize that your thoughts and beliefs are not as solid as they might seem. It's about embracing the fluid and open nature of your mind.

17. “You will never understand the meaning of actual reality.”

This quote suggests that there might be aspects of life that are beyond complete understanding, and that's okay. Some things are better experienced than explained.

18. “The nature of the mind, which is all-knowing, aware of everything, empty and radiant, is established to be the manifestly radiant and self-originating pristine cognition, present from the beginning, just like the sky...”

This quote describes the mind as naturally aware, clear, and shining, much like the vast sky. It's about realizing the inherent qualities of your mind.

Your home to Leh in 12 minutes with Level Supermind

Yes, that’s correct! With Palga Rinpoche’s Buddhist meditation series on the Level Supermind app, you can embark on a new journey to explore your mind and discover new ways of thinking. With mantras like Om Mani Padme Hum, Maa Tara Mantra, Kuber Mantra and Vajra Guru Mantra, Rinpoche guides you to navigate through life’s challenges in a better manner and in turn enjoy vitality, longevity, peace of mind and wealth.

In addition to this, with the Buddhist Beginner’s series, you’ll learn the basics of concentration meditation using your five senses with the help of Calm abiding or Shamatha meditations.

Just like how Palga Rinpoche's meditation series on Level Supermind and the insightful quotes by Guru Rinpoche guide us on a journey of self-discovery and growth, motivational books for students offer a similar path of empowerment. So, if you're a student, read this blog on top motivational books for students to unveil the potential within!

So, go ahead and begin your meditation journey not only to improve your focus and manage stress better but also to gain insights and make your life easier and better.