The mind naturally dwells on one’s daily activities. If you don’t succeed in meditation, practise Japa. Japa leads to perfection. One attains perfection through Japa.
(p.213, The Gospel of the Holy Mother, Mother’s instruction on 19 June, 1912 to a disciple at Udbodhan.)
Good is near Truth, but is not yet Truth. After learning not to be disturbed by evil, we have to learn not to be made happy by good. We must find that we are beyond both evil and good; we must study their adjustment and see that they are both necessary…. Really good and evil are one and are in our own mind. When the mind is self-poised, neither good nor bad affects it. Be perfectly free; then neither can affect it, and we enjoy freedom and bliss. Evil is the iron chain, good is the gold one; both are chains. Be free, and know once for all that there is no chain for you. Lay hold of the golden chain to loosen the hold of the iron one, then throw both away…. In the world take always the position of the giver. Give everything and look for no return. Give love, give help, give service, give any little thing you can, but keep out barter. Make no conditions, and none will be imposed. Let us give out of our own bounty, just as God gives to us…. The lord is the only Giver. All the men in the world are only shopkeepers. get his cheque, and it must be honoured everywhere.
(p.3-5, V.7, Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Inspired Talks)