FROM THE HINDU SCRIPTURES  
The Upanishads  

Like two golden birds perched on the selfsame tree, 
Intimate friends, the ego and the Self 
Dwell in the same body.  The Former eats 
The sweet and sour fruits of the tree of life 
While the latter looks on in detachment. 

As long as we think we are the ego, 
We feel attached and fall into sorrow. 
But realize that you are the Self, the Lord 
Of Life, and you will be freed from sorrow. 
When you realize that you are the Self, 
Supreme source of light, supreme source of love, 
You transcend the duality of life 
And enter the unitive state..... 

Those who realize the Self enter into the peace that brings complete self-control and perfect patience.  They see themselves in everyone and everyone in themselves.  Evil cannot overcome them because they overcome all evil.  Sin cannot consume them because they consume all sin.  Free from evil, free from sin and doubt, they live in the kingdom of Brahman. 

FROM THE SCRIPTURES OF ISLAM  
THE KORAN  

Believers, turn to Allah in true repentance.  Your Lord may forgive you your sins and admit you to gardens watered by running streams, on a day when the Prophet and those who believe with him will suffer no disgrace at the hands of Allah.  Their light will shine in front of them and on their right, and they will say: "Lord, perfect our light for us and forgive us.  You have power over all things." 

FROM THE WRITINGS OF HIK  
The Gayan, Vadan, Nirtan  

Beloved, Thou makest me fuller every day. 
Thou diggest into my heart deeper than the depths of the earth. 
Thou raisest my soul higher than the highest heaven, making me more empty every day and yet fuller. 
Thou makest me wider than the ends of the world; Thou stretchest my two arms across the land and the sea, giving into my enfoldment the East and the West. 
Thou changest my flesh into fertile soil; Thou turnest my blood into streams of water; Thou kneadest my clay, I know, to make a new universe. 

He who expects to change the world will be disappointed;  he must change his view.  When this is done, then tolerance will come, forgiveness will come, and there will be nothing he cannot bear. 

FROM THE BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES  
The Gospel of Buddha: XV 

Upaka, a young Brahman and a Jain, a former acquaintance of Siddhartha, saw the Blessed One while he journeyed to Benares, and amazed at the majesty and sublime joyfulness of his appearance, said;  "Thy countenance, friend, is serene; thine eyes are bright and indicate purity and blessedness." 

The holy Buddha replied, "I have obtained deliverance by the extinction of self.  My body is chastened, my mind is free from desire, and the deepest truth has taken abode in my heart.  I have obtained Nirvana, and this is the reason that my countenance is serene and my eyes are bright.  I now desire to found the kingdom of truth upon earth, to give light to those who are enshrouded in darkness and to open the gate of deathlessness." 

FROM THE ZOROASTRIAN SCRIPTURES  
The Songs of Zarathustra LXVII and XCII  

Verily, I believed Thee, O Ahura Mazda, to be the supreme benevolent Providence, 
When Sraosha came to me with the Good Mind, and told me assuringly, 
That a contented mind is the best possession; 

He who applies well his mind, and sifts things better from things worse, 
He who applies well his mind to deepen his insight into Faith, 
His wish is in harmony with his cherished and chosen ideals; 
His happy end, at the last, is indeed within Thy Understanding, O Mazda! 

FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES  
Isaiah 65:17  

For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered.  They shall never come to mind. 

FROM THE CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES  
Revelations 2: 3-7  

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling of God is with man.  He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them;  he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away."  And he who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." 

FROM THE NATIVE AMERICAN TRADITION  
Navaho chant.  Earth Prayers, p 117  

Dark cloud is at the door. 
The trail out of it is dark cloud. 
The zigzag lightning stands high upon it. 
An offering I make. 
Restore my feet for me. 
Restore my legs for me. 
Restore my body for me. 
Restore my mind for me. 
Restore my voice for me. 
This very day take out your spell for me. 

May it be beautiful before me. 
May it be beautiful behind me. 
May it be beautiful below me. 
May it be beautiful above me. 
May it be beautiful all around me. 

FROM THE FEMININE SPIRIT  
Hildegard of Bingen  

The air, with its penetrating strength, characterizes the victorious banner that is trust.  It gives light to the fire's flame and sprinkles the imagination of believers with the dew of hope.  Thus does trust show the way.  Those who breathe this dew long for heavenly things.  They carry within refreshing, fulfilling, greening love, with which they hasten to the aid of all.