Border Quote by Elizabeth Gilbert
““A Sanskrit word appeared in the paragraph: ANTEVASIN. It means, ‘one who lives at the border.’ In ancient times, this was a literal description. It indicated a person who had left the bustling center of worldly life to go live at the edge of the forest where the spiritual masters dwelled. The antevasin was not of the villager’s anymore-not a householder with a conventional life. But neither was he yet a transcendent-not one of those sages who live deep in the unexplored woods, fully realized. The antevasin was an in-betweener. He was a border-dweller. He lived in sight of both worlds, but he looked toward the unknown. And he was a scholar.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, 2015
The quote describes a transitional state between ordinary life and full spiritual mastery, a border dweller who observes both worlds while seeking the unknown.
In simple terms: A person living between normal life and deep spirituality.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the in‑between phase as a learning space.
Themes
spirituality
identity
transition
learning
exploration
Mood
curious
reflective
inspired
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career change
- spiritual retreat
- creative projects
- personal growth
Key Concepts
border dweller
transcendence
scholarship
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you navigate the space between comfort and mastery?
- What does the unknown invite you to explore?
A Different Perspective
The in‑between can feel uncertain and lack clear guidance.
![“In the worldly life, due to maadakta (intoxication of the ego of ‘I am Chandubhai’), one has completely lost awareness of everything about one’s self. Everything in the worldly life is nothing but intoxication. The food is intoxicating, the senses are intoxicating. [Therefore] Go to the one, who…” quote by Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b3/dada-bhagwan-31_absolute_in-the-worldly-life-due-to-maadakta-into_3662.jpg)
![“Relative’ worldly life is Short-lived [going to end one day]. To claim one’s self to be in that which is going to end is, “wrong belief”.” quote by Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/87e/dada-bhagwan-31_belief_relative-worldly-life-is-short-lived-goi_141395.jpg)
![“That which reduces our flawed vision is called religion [dharma]. It is non-religion [adharma] that increases a flawed vision. The worldly life is indeed the result of a flawed vision.” quote by Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6b5/dada-bhagwan-31_dharma_that-which-reduces-our-flawed-vision-is_130669.jpg)
![“Bear ‘beating’ in this world. Therein is the taste of the Soul [the Atma]. There is no taste [feeling of goodness, happiness] in giving it [beating others, giving pain to others]. This world has come into existence because of giving [beating others, giving pain to others].” quote by Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f2b/dada-bhagwan-31_beating_bear-beating-in-this-world-therein-is-th_110896.jpg)
![“There is strife (trouble) the moment one enters the worldly life and bliss the moment one enters the Self [the Soul].” quote by Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fce/dada-bhagwan-31_life_there-is-strife-trouble-the-moment-one-e_105362.jpg)
![“All this [worldly life] is relative and for it to have effect on You [real Self], is grave weakness. You should not be affected by whatever happens around you.” quote by Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/18b/dada-bhagwan-31_cause-and-effect_all-this-worldly-life-is-relative-and-fo_92453.jpg)
![“And while [we] do have possibilities that are vast and magnificent and almost infinite in scope, it's important to remember that our choice-rich lives have the potential to breed their own brand of trouble. We are susceptible to emotional uncertainties and neuroses that are probably not very…” quote by Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7fb/elizabeth-gilbert-131_choice_and-while-we-do-have-possibilities-that_30637.jpg)
