Spiritual literature can be a great aid to an aspirant, or it can be a terrible hindrance. If it is used to inspire practice, motivate compassion, ad nourish devotion, it serves a very valuable purpose. If scriptural study is used for mere intellectual understanding, for pride of accomplishment, or as a substitute for actual practice, then one is taking in too much mental food, which is sure to result in intellectual indigestion. (152). Prem Prakash
About This Quote

The quote above is an excerpt from the book "A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life" by H.H. Dalai Lama XIV. The author of this text was a Buddhist monk who studied with the Dalai Lama, and who has devoted most of his life to helping others achieve enlightenment. This book is meant to give readers the tools they need to live their lives like Bodhisattvas, people who choose to become enlightened for the benefit of all beings. The author stresses the importance of reading spiritual literature with an open mind, but also stresses that there are times when reading can be a hindrance rather than a help.

Source: The Yoga Of Spiritual Devotion A Modern Translation Of The Narada Bhakti Sutras

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