Israel

“It’s very unfortunate that, due to our own fault, we fail to understand our nature and origin. Wouldn't it be mindless, my daughters, if someone couldn't answer questions about their name, country, or parents? As stupid as this would be, it’s unspeakably more stupid to only be curious about our bodies, and only to accept that we have souls because people say so and it’s a doctrine of our faith. We rarely reflect upon the gifts our souls may possess, Who dwells within them, and how extremely precious they are. So, we neglect to preserve their beauty, focusing solely on our physical bodies, which are merely the simple setting of the precious diamond or the outer walls of the castle.”
― Teresa de Ávila, The Interior Castle: A Modern Translation

“The chief thing that separates us from God is the thought that we are separated from Him. If we get rid of that thought, our troubles will be greatly reduced. We fail to believe that we are always with God and that He is part of every reality.”
― Thomas Keating, Open Mind, Open Heart 20th Anniversary Edition

“God’s first language is silence: all else is translation.”
― Augustine Wetta, Humility Rules: Saint Benedict's Twelve-Step Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem