Spiritual Watchwords

The term “watchword” may not be familiar to many people. The dictionary says it is a word or a motto that embodies a principle or guide to action. Historically, it was used as a password given to a lookout person.

Within religious–spiritual teachings, we sometimes seek to find a core teaching, a guiding principle. This teaching can be condensed into watchwords. These words can act as devotional guides, or tools to strengthen us, or help us pay attention, or contact the divine.

Spiritual watchwords are not just words of wisdom. They are advice for action and are usually short and concise. They can be universal and may express morality or ethics; they can be used as mantras. They may be proverbs or part of an oral tradition or hadith. Some Christians have a similar guiding “life verse” from scripture.

It is important to establish our own spiritual watchwords and I challenge each of us to do so. You can experiment until the right essential words are found.

There are many wonderful examples of spiritual watchwords, especially from scriptures. I have collected a small selection of mostly eastern spiritual watchwords from scripture, teachers and tradition.

Scripture:
“Love thy neighbor as thyself.” [Lev. 19:18]
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” [Deut. 6:4]
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” [Deut. 6:5]
“Be still, and know that I am God.” [Psalm 46:10]
“There is no God but God.” [Koran]
“The way to do is to be.” [Tao]

Teachers:
“Remember. Be here now.” [Ram Dass]
“Serve. Love. Meditate. Realize.” [Swami Sivananda]
“Truth is one. Religions are many.” [Swami Satchidananda]
"Everything is impermanent, except the love of God." [Neem Karoli Baba]
“Love of God is the one essential thing.” [Sri Ramakrishna]
“Silence is the garden of meditation.” [Imam Ali]
“Adore God as if you see Him. If you don't see Him, He sees you.” [Muhammad]

Tradition:
“Now is the watchword of the wise.” [Proverb]
“There is only beauty behind me; only beauty before me.” [Cree Song]
"Know Him in all your ways." [Jewish Hasidic]
“The only thing that is lacking is the experience that nothing is lacking.” [Zen]
“Unless a man is simple, he cannot recognize God, the Simple One.” [Bengali Song]

I conclude with my own personal spiritual watchwords:
“Remember. Be simple. Be kind.”

~ Steven Maimes