Victory

Victory usually means 
Temporary peace.
But peace is
Eternity's victory.

~

Victory comes and victory goes. 
Defeat weeps and defeat lingers.
Experience soars and experience lasts.

~

The body's victory  
Is often
The soul's tremendous loss.
The soul's victory
Is always
The body's amazing progress.

~

I felt the victory  
Of the world-saviour: Peace.
Therefore
I smiled and danced.  

I see the victory
Of the world-devourer: War.
Therefore
I sigh and die.

~

Yesterday  

your victory's crown

was possession.

Today

your victory's crown

is renunciation.

Tomorrow

your victory's crown

shall be liberation.

~
In the inner world  
Each victory is a help.
Each defeat is a help, too.
But each surrender to God's Will
Is a victory unparalleled,
A victory invincible.

~

God's Smile is the victory  
Of today's man.
Man's smile is the Victory
Of Eternity's God.

~
The victory of human love is confusing.  
The victory of divine love is illumining.
The victory of supreme love is fulfilling.

~

Victory and defeat are interwoven.
Do not try to separate them,
But try to go beyond them
If your heart longs for abiding peace.