Student: One last question sir -- “If it is not by money, then how do I measure my growth?”
Teacher: “Good question, Make yourself accountable to these three questions. They are,
1. Am I doing justice to my potential?
2. Year after year, in how many more lives am I becoming useful?
3. Day by day, am I living my life in a way that I am moving closer to my God?
Firstly, no matter where you reach in life, still keep asking yourself, ‘Am I doing justice to my potential?’ Man was created to create. Man was designed to design his life. By the very process of creation, and then through parents, relatives, teachers, and society – too much of an investment has gone in the making of a man. As a result, every man has a moral responsibility to live a life worthy of his potential. Remember, success is not what you achieve compared to others, but what you achieve compared to what you are capable of – and what you are capable of is defined by the infinite sleeping potential within you.”
“Now the question is, how will I know I am doing justice to my potential? There comes the second question – year after year, in how many more lives am I becoming useful? Even a cow, a bull, a parrot feeds a family of humans. It would be pure shame to live a life of mediocrity – a life of mere me, mine and myself. Measure your success by the usefulness of your life. Remember, none of us are useless – just that, we are used less.”
“And finally, we are living in a time when people believe even murder is okay if you can produce results. But it’s not okay! Without ethical and moral accountability, as I said earlier, success may be possible, but being happily successful is not. Mark 10:25 states, 'It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.' Here 'rich man' isn't an absolute reference, but a reference to men who choose to be rich by hook or by crook. Let's not trade God for the kingdom of God. Arjuna sought Krishna and Duryodhana chose Krishna's resources – the rest is history – we all know who triumphed. If lower ideals can produce so much results, then trust me, the higher ideals will only give you a lot more in life. So never go to sleep without answering the third question, 'Day by day, am I living my life in such a way that I am moving closer to my God?' Jai, be worthy of these three questions and life will give you everything else as natural byproducts – and money will be just one of them.”
Source: Life Positive
Monday, August 22, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
প্রতিদিনের চিন্তা ও প্রার্থনা
কেহ যদি কখনও আমাদের অপদস্থ করে তখন কী সান্ত্বনা আমরা পাই যদি মনে রাখি যে শ্রীভগবানের কোলে আমাদের স্থান আছে। প্রতিকূল অবস্থা উপিস্থত হইলে ইহার প্রতি বিরুদ্ধভাবাপন্ন হইও না। ভগবানকে স্মরণ করিয়া সব কিছু সহ্য করিতে চেষ্টা কর। তবেই প্রকৃত বল লাভ করিবে। জীবনে যাহা কিছুই ঘটুক না কেন, তঁার সঙ্গে যে যুক্ত হইয়া আছি, এ জ্ঞান আমাদের কি আশ্চর্য অনুভূতি জাগায়। আমরা অমৃতের অধিকারী এ কথা মনে রাখিতে হইবে।
উন্নত ভাব দিয়াই আমরা ক্ষুদ্র তুচ্ছ ভাবকে জয় করি। অশুভ তো আছেই কিন্তু তাহাকে অনিবার্য সত্য বলিয়া গ্রহণ আমরা কেন করিব? আমরা নিশ্চয়ই তাহাকে বাধা দিতে পারি। সকলেই এক ভগবানের উত্তরাধিকারী। তঁাহার আশীর্বাদ আমাদের সকলের উপরে সমভাবে বর্ষিত হইতেছে। কিন্তু অামরাই নিজেদের সেই আশীর্বাদ হইতে বিঞ্চত করি। জানি না আমরা কিভাবে তাহাকে রক্ষা করিতে হয়। আমরা তুচ্ছ চিন্তায় মগ্ন থাকিয়া মহৎ আশীর্বাদ লাভ করিতে পারি না।
হৃদয়কে যদি খুলিয়া দিয়া একনিষ্ঠ হইয়া থাকিতে পার, তবে সেই পরম সত্তা তোমাকে কখনও বিঞ্চত করিবেন না। জীবনে নানারকম শাসন আসে, তাহা তোমাকে আরও মহৎ ও বলীয়ান করিবার জন্যই। যে ভক্ত সে সর্বদা নিজের শক্তি ও নিরাপত্তার জন্য ভগবানের দিকে তাকাইয়া থাকে। সাহসী ও সহনশীল হও। বীর হৃদয় অপরাজিত, অবিনশ্বর।
যে পথ আমাদের ভগবানের দিকে লইয়া যায়, সেই পথকে আমাদের প্রস্তুত করিতে হইবে, তঁাহার সঙ্গে যোগস্থাপনের চেষ্টা আমাদের করিতে হইবে। কোন মূল্যবান কাজ করিবার আগে অামাদের তঁাহার পূর্ণ শক্তির অধিকারী হইতে হইবে। দেহের আকাঙ্ক্ষা পূরণের জন্য আমাদের অন্তরের গুণাবলী অবহেলা করা উচিত নয়। আমাদের প্রাণ যদি উন্নত আদর্শে ভরিয়া রাখিতে পারি তবে নিশ্চয়ই তঁাহার সাথে যুক্ত হইতে পারিব। সত্যি যদি আমরা পূতপবিত্র হইতে পারি তবে তাহার ডাকে সাড়া না দিয়া বধির হইয়া থাকিতে পারিব না।
যাহাদের স্বভাবে সুকুমারভাব নাই তারা পবিত্রতা কি, তাহাও জানে না। আমাদের ভিতরে যে মহাশক্তি বর্তমান, সে শক্তি আমাদের নিজস্ব নয়, যদিও আমরা তাহার আধার। যখন মনের অবস্থা ঠিক, তখন সেই শক্তি আমাদের মধ্য দিয়া বিপুল েস্রাতে প্রবাহিত হয়। আমরাই পবিত্র ও স্বার্থবিমুখ হইয়া সেই শক্তির প্রবাহে সহায়তা করি। আমাদের চিন্তা যেন আলোকে উদ্ভাসিত হয়। আমরা যেন সাধুজীবনের জ্যোতিতে বিশ্বাস ও ভক্তির জ্যোতিতে জ্যোতির্ময় হই।
‘প্রতিদিনের চিন্তা ও প্রার্থনা’ থেকে
উন্নত ভাব দিয়াই আমরা ক্ষুদ্র তুচ্ছ ভাবকে জয় করি। অশুভ তো আছেই কিন্তু তাহাকে অনিবার্য সত্য বলিয়া গ্রহণ আমরা কেন করিব? আমরা নিশ্চয়ই তাহাকে বাধা দিতে পারি। সকলেই এক ভগবানের উত্তরাধিকারী। তঁাহার আশীর্বাদ আমাদের সকলের উপরে সমভাবে বর্ষিত হইতেছে। কিন্তু অামরাই নিজেদের সেই আশীর্বাদ হইতে বিঞ্চত করি। জানি না আমরা কিভাবে তাহাকে রক্ষা করিতে হয়। আমরা তুচ্ছ চিন্তায় মগ্ন থাকিয়া মহৎ আশীর্বাদ লাভ করিতে পারি না।
হৃদয়কে যদি খুলিয়া দিয়া একনিষ্ঠ হইয়া থাকিতে পার, তবে সেই পরম সত্তা তোমাকে কখনও বিঞ্চত করিবেন না। জীবনে নানারকম শাসন আসে, তাহা তোমাকে আরও মহৎ ও বলীয়ান করিবার জন্যই। যে ভক্ত সে সর্বদা নিজের শক্তি ও নিরাপত্তার জন্য ভগবানের দিকে তাকাইয়া থাকে। সাহসী ও সহনশীল হও। বীর হৃদয় অপরাজিত, অবিনশ্বর।
যে পথ আমাদের ভগবানের দিকে লইয়া যায়, সেই পথকে আমাদের প্রস্তুত করিতে হইবে, তঁাহার সঙ্গে যোগস্থাপনের চেষ্টা আমাদের করিতে হইবে। কোন মূল্যবান কাজ করিবার আগে অামাদের তঁাহার পূর্ণ শক্তির অধিকারী হইতে হইবে। দেহের আকাঙ্ক্ষা পূরণের জন্য আমাদের অন্তরের গুণাবলী অবহেলা করা উচিত নয়। আমাদের প্রাণ যদি উন্নত আদর্শে ভরিয়া রাখিতে পারি তবে নিশ্চয়ই তঁাহার সাথে যুক্ত হইতে পারিব। সত্যি যদি আমরা পূতপবিত্র হইতে পারি তবে তাহার ডাকে সাড়া না দিয়া বধির হইয়া থাকিতে পারিব না।
যাহাদের স্বভাবে সুকুমারভাব নাই তারা পবিত্রতা কি, তাহাও জানে না। আমাদের ভিতরে যে মহাশক্তি বর্তমান, সে শক্তি আমাদের নিজস্ব নয়, যদিও আমরা তাহার আধার। যখন মনের অবস্থা ঠিক, তখন সেই শক্তি আমাদের মধ্য দিয়া বিপুল েস্রাতে প্রবাহিত হয়। আমরাই পবিত্র ও স্বার্থবিমুখ হইয়া সেই শক্তির প্রবাহে সহায়তা করি। আমাদের চিন্তা যেন আলোকে উদ্ভাসিত হয়। আমরা যেন সাধুজীবনের জ্যোতিতে বিশ্বাস ও ভক্তির জ্যোতিতে জ্যোতির্ময় হই।
‘প্রতিদিনের চিন্তা ও প্রার্থনা’ থেকে
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Our Deepest Fear
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
- Marianne Williamson
- Marianne Williamson
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
‘ছড়ানো মুক্তো’
কৃপা করা না করা তাঁর ইচ্ছা। সেক্ষেত্রে ঠাকুরের কাছে এই বলে order বা হুকুম করা চলবে না – আমি এত করেছি তাই দিতে হবে। প্রার্থনা আর order এক নয়। কৃপার রাজ্যের কথা আলাদা। ঠাকুর যে কখন কাকে কীভাবে কৃপা করবেন, তা কেউ বলতে পারে না।
ভালবাসতে গেলে আঘাত পেতেই হবে। ভগবানের ভালবাসা নিঃস্বার্থ ভালবাসা। ভগবান যখন মানুষরূপে আসেন, তাঁকে আঘাত পেতে হয়। অবতার আসেন ভালবাসার চরম আদর্শ দেখাতে।
অন্তরে ক্ষোভ বা বাসনা পুষে রাখলে কখনও সার্থক মানুষ হওয়া যায় না। মনকে সব সময় শান্ত রাখতে হবে। লক্ষ্য রাখবে যাতে কোনও বাসনা ঢুকে মনকে অশান্ত করতে না পারে।
সন্ন্যাসী যে হবে তাকে করতে হবে সব কিছুর সম্যক্ ন্যাস। যার অন্তরের বাসনার সম্যক্ ন্যাস হয়েছে সেই সার্থক সন্ন্যাসী। সন্ন্যাসীর কোনও ক্ষোভ থাকবে না।
তীব্র বৈরাগ্য না নিয়ে এলে আশ্রমে কেউ ঠিক ঠিকভাবে থাকতে পারে না। আশ্রমে থাকতে গেলে চাই তীব্র বৈরাগ্য।
একমাত্র আধ্যাত্মিক পথই মানুষকে শািন্ত দিতে পারে।
যার যেমন সামর্থ্য তার তেমনই চলা উচিত। অন্যের অনুকরণ করে নিজের সামর্থ্যের বাইরে কখনোই চলা উচিত নয়। এতে গৃহে অশািন্তর সৃিষ্ট হয়, মনে বাসনা জেগে ওঠে, তীব্রক্ষোভের সৃিষ্ট হয়। যে যার নিজের পথে ঠিক মত চললেই সংসারে শািন্ত অাসবে। মনে কোনও বাসনার সৃিষ্ট হলেই তাকে দূর করার চেষ্টা করতে হবে। এজন্য তীব্র প্রার্থনা করতে হয়।
সত্য পথে চলাটা জীবনের উদ্দেশ্য ঠিকই। সত্য পথকে ভিত্তি করেই জীবনে চলতে হবে, কিন্তু শুধু সেটাই সব নয়, এর সাথে ভগবৎবিশ্বাস, ভক্তি, ভগবৎশরণ, ঠাকুরের প্রতি ভালবাসা এবং নিষ্ঠাকেও যুক্ত করতে হবে। এইভাবেই জীবনের চলা সহজ হয়ে যাবে। আমার জীবনের প্রথম ও প্রধান উদ্দেশ্য হবে ঈশ্বরকে লাভ করা। ঈশ্বরকে লাভ করলেই জীবনের সব চলা সার্থক হবে।
সত্য পথে চলাটা জীবনের উদ্দেশ্য ঠিকই। সত্য পথকে ভিত্তি করেই জীবনে চলতে হবে, কিন্তু শুধু সেটাই সব নয়, এর সাথে ভগবৎবিশ্বাস, ভক্তি, ভগবৎশরণ, ঠাকুরের প্রতি ভালবাসা এবং নিষ্ঠাকেও যুক্ত করতে হবে। এইভাবেই জীবনের চলা সহজ হয়ে যাবে। আমার জীবনের প্রথম ও প্রধান উদ্দেশ্য হবে ঈশ্বরকে লাভ করা। ঈশ্বরকে লাভ করলেই জীবনের সব চলা সার্থক হবে।
শ্রীঅর্চনাপুরীর ‘ছড়ানো মুক্তো’ থেকে
Sunday, June 5, 2011
‘মায়ের আশীর্বাদ’
বিনীত হওয়ার অর্থ মন প্রাণ দেহ কখনও ভুলবে না যে ভগবান ছাড়া তারা কিছুই জানে না, তারা কিছু করতেই পারে না–ভগবান ছাড়া তারা হল কেবল অজ্ঞান। একমাত্র ভগবানই সত্য, জীবন, শক্তি, প্রেম, অানন্দ।
কাজেই মনের প্রাণের দেহের এই জ্ঞান এই বোধ হওয়া চাই যে ভগবানকে বুঝবার বিচার করবার বিন্দুমাত্র ক্ষমতা তাদের নেই, শুধু ভগবানের স্বরূপ নয়, তাঁর কর্ম, তাঁর প্রকাশও নয়।
এই হচ্ছে একমাত্র সত্যিকার বিনয়, এটা থাকলেই মেলে স্থিরতা, শািন্ত। এই হচ্ছে সকল অশািন্তর আক্রমণের বিরুদ্ধে একমাত্র নিরাপদ ধর্ম। সত্যি কথা বলতে কি, মানুষের মধ্যে অপশক্তি এসে যে দরজায় করাঘাত করে তা হল অহংকার, এই দরজার ভেতর দিয়েই সে আসে।
কেবলমাত্র আপন জীবনযাত্রার পরিবর্তন দ্বারা তুমি আশা করতে পার সত্যিকার স্বাস্থ্য।
কোনো মানুষী ইচ্ছাই শেষ পর্যন্ত ভগবানের ইচ্ছার বিরুদ্ধে টিকবে না। এস, আমরা সম্পূর্ণভাবে কেবলমাত্র ভগবানের পক্ষে গিয়ে দাঁড়াই, শেষ পর্যন্ত বিজয় সুনিিশ্চত।
সময়ের কথা না ভেবে, স্থানিক ভয় না করে, আমরা এগিয়ে চলব অগ্নিপরীক্ষার ভেতর দিয়ে পবিত্র হয়ে–না থেমে কেবল আমরা উড়ে চলব সিদ্ধির লক্ষ্যের অভিমুখে–অতিমানসের বিজয়ের দিকে।
অন্যকে ‘‘সাহায্য’’ করবার বাসনা যেন তোমাকে পেয়ে না বসে–তোমার আন্তরিস্থতি থেকে তুমি নিজে ঠিক মতো কাজ করে চল, ঠিকমতো চল আর অপরকে সাহায্য করার ব্যাপারটা ভগবানের ওপর ছেড়ে দাও। সত্যি সত্যিই কেউ কাউকে সাহায্য করতে পারে না–একমাত্র ভগবানের করুণা ছাড়া। আগে ভেতরটা, বাইরেটা পরে। তা নইলে আমাদের আন্তরশক্তি ও জ্ঞানের সীমা ছাড়িয়ে যদি কিছু করতে যাই তা ব্যর্থ হবে, ভেঙে পড়বেই।
শিশু তার আপন বিকাশের জন্য মোটেই চিন্তা করে না, সে আপনা থেকেই সহজে বেড়ে ওঠে।
চল ঋজু হয়ে দৃঢ়ভাবে লক্ষ্য সম্বন্ধে সচেতন হয়ে, নিজে তোমার জীবনের প্রভু হয়ে।
পূর্ণ সিদ্ধির পথে যে মানুষ এগিয়ে যেতে চায়, সে কখনো জীবনের বাধাবিেঘ্নর জন্য প্রতিবাদ করবে না–প্রতিটি বাধাই হল আরও একপা এগিয়ে যাবার সুযোগ–প্রতিবাদ মানেই হল দুর্বলতা ও কপটতার লক্ষণ।
‘ভগবান’–বলতে আমরা এই বুঝি... যাকিছু জ্ঞান আমাদের অর্জন করতে হবে, যাকিছু শক্তি আমাদের লাভ করতে হবে, যাকিছু ভালোবাসার পাত্র আমাদের হয়ে উঠতে হবে, যাকিছু পরিপূর্ণতা আমাদের পেতে হবে, জ্যোতি আর আনন্দকে অবলম্বন করে যাকিছু সুসঙ্গতিময় ও প্রগতিমূলক তা জীবন মাঝে প্রকাশ করতে হবে, যাকিছু অজ্ঞাত এবং অভিনব আলো রয়েছে তাদের উপলিব্ধ করতে হবে।
কানুপ্রিয় চট্ট্যপাধ্যায় সংকলিত ‘মায়ের আশীর্বাদ’ থেকে
Thursday, February 10, 2011
What change can i make? (2)
One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friend the following afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.
As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.
My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him, and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, I saw a tear in his eye.
I handed him his glasses and said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives."
He looked at me and said, "Hey, thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. It turned out he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before coming to this school.
I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends. He said yes. We hung all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. And my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Damn boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!". He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.
When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class.
I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.
Graduation day arrived - I saw Kyle and he looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him!
Boy, sometimes I was jealous. Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!"
He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach... but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story."
I stared at my friend in disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."
I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize its depth.
Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others.
"Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."
Source: Best Inspiration
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
My Will or Divine Will?
Many a times we are in dilemma - among multiple choices or actions, which one we should follow? It is said that the enlightened ones follow the Divine Will which can never be wrong. For others who are on the path towards enlightenment, it is advised to sit in meditation (or to calm down mental agitation to be without bias) and to follow what the heart says (whatever comes from within). But that also requires practice; only who have traveled enough on the path can truly listen to their hearts. For the less traveled ones, I think, the best approach is to follow what Garuda did in the following story.
Garuda's Compassion
In the wondrous region of the Kailas – the subtle Kailas that could not be visible to the ordinary human eye – was the abode of Shiva.
One evening Vishnu went to see Shiva. He left his vehicle, Garuda, in front of the grand natural arch leading into Shiva’s abode. Garuda sat alone marveling at the grandeur of the place – the physical place visible to all. The splendours of the rays of the setting sun had sprayed seven colours on the mist and the snow enveloping the high peaks.
Suddenly his eyes fell on a beautiful creature, a little bird seated on the stone arch. "How marvelous is this creation! One who has made the gigantic Himalayas has also made this tiny bird – and both seem equally wonderful!" he thought.
Just then Yama, the guardian deity of Destiny and Death, happened to enter the arch, perhaps with the intention of having a darshan of Shiva. As he would step into the other side of the arch, his eyes went over to the bird. His brows were raised. Then he took his eyes off the bird and disappeared behind the arch.
Garuda who observed this, told himself, “Yama looking intently at the bird can mean only one thing: the bird's time is over! Perhaps on his way back Yama will take its soul away!"
Garuda's heart was filled with pity for the bird. He wanted to save it from its impending death. But he told himself, “The laws of Destiny are at work. It is none of my business to interfere in it!"
A minute passed. Garuda found that his emotions were not pacified. "If I can serve the bird, why should I not do so?” he took himself to task about it.
Next moment his other voice told him, “This is my egoistic impulse. Who am I to think of saving anyone?”
Suddenly he heard a subtler voice speaking from deep within: “At the moment I am not sure whether wisdom lies in my taking action or not taking action. I pray let whatever I do in this uncertain state, become a part of the total, Providential scheme. I offer my emotions and actions to Thee, my Lord!”
Next moment he took up the bird and at the speed of lightning went down into Dandakaranya and left it on a rock beside a brook. Then he returned to Kailas and waited for Vishnu.
But Yama came out earlier and he saw Garuda and smiled at him. Garuda greeted the god and said, “May I put a question to you? While going in, you saw a bird and for a moment looked rather pensive. Why?”
“Oh, I had forgotten all about it. Well, the moment my eyes fell on it, I knew that it was to die after a few minutes, swallowed by a python, far, far away in Dandakaranya, near a brook. I wondered how this tiny bird would cover such a great distance in such a short time. Then I forgot about it. Surely, it must have happened, somehow. It was time for the little creature to take a new birth.”
Yama smiled and went away. Did he know about Garuda’s role in the matter? We do not know.
But Garuda sat stunned. At first uncertain whether to be sad or happy, soon he transcended the need to be in any such state of mind. “O Lord, I’m a vehicle of yours! Let me remain a vehicle of yours both in action and inaction,” he said. He was back in his mood of enlightened equanimity.
Source: (1) Aurobindo Society's Magazine 'Next Future' : June 2010, (2) The Speaking Tree. But I like the interpretation of Next Future.
Garuda's Compassion
In the wondrous region of the Kailas – the subtle Kailas that could not be visible to the ordinary human eye – was the abode of Shiva.
One evening Vishnu went to see Shiva. He left his vehicle, Garuda, in front of the grand natural arch leading into Shiva’s abode. Garuda sat alone marveling at the grandeur of the place – the physical place visible to all. The splendours of the rays of the setting sun had sprayed seven colours on the mist and the snow enveloping the high peaks.
Suddenly his eyes fell on a beautiful creature, a little bird seated on the stone arch. "How marvelous is this creation! One who has made the gigantic Himalayas has also made this tiny bird – and both seem equally wonderful!" he thought.
Just then Yama, the guardian deity of Destiny and Death, happened to enter the arch, perhaps with the intention of having a darshan of Shiva. As he would step into the other side of the arch, his eyes went over to the bird. His brows were raised. Then he took his eyes off the bird and disappeared behind the arch.
Garuda who observed this, told himself, “Yama looking intently at the bird can mean only one thing: the bird's time is over! Perhaps on his way back Yama will take its soul away!"
Garuda's heart was filled with pity for the bird. He wanted to save it from its impending death. But he told himself, “The laws of Destiny are at work. It is none of my business to interfere in it!"
A minute passed. Garuda found that his emotions were not pacified. "If I can serve the bird, why should I not do so?” he took himself to task about it.
Next moment his other voice told him, “This is my egoistic impulse. Who am I to think of saving anyone?”
Suddenly he heard a subtler voice speaking from deep within: “At the moment I am not sure whether wisdom lies in my taking action or not taking action. I pray let whatever I do in this uncertain state, become a part of the total, Providential scheme. I offer my emotions and actions to Thee, my Lord!”
Next moment he took up the bird and at the speed of lightning went down into Dandakaranya and left it on a rock beside a brook. Then he returned to Kailas and waited for Vishnu.
But Yama came out earlier and he saw Garuda and smiled at him. Garuda greeted the god and said, “May I put a question to you? While going in, you saw a bird and for a moment looked rather pensive. Why?”
“Oh, I had forgotten all about it. Well, the moment my eyes fell on it, I knew that it was to die after a few minutes, swallowed by a python, far, far away in Dandakaranya, near a brook. I wondered how this tiny bird would cover such a great distance in such a short time. Then I forgot about it. Surely, it must have happened, somehow. It was time for the little creature to take a new birth.”
Yama smiled and went away. Did he know about Garuda’s role in the matter? We do not know.
But Garuda sat stunned. At first uncertain whether to be sad or happy, soon he transcended the need to be in any such state of mind. “O Lord, I’m a vehicle of yours! Let me remain a vehicle of yours both in action and inaction,” he said. He was back in his mood of enlightened equanimity.
Source: (1) Aurobindo Society's Magazine 'Next Future' : June 2010, (2) The Speaking Tree. But I like the interpretation of Next Future.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Bad Luck or Good Luck : Who can say? (2)
There once was very poor man living in a village who had a very fine horse. So fine, in fact, that the lord of the castle wanted to buy it. But the old man always refused.
"To me this horse is not merely an animal. He's a friend. How could I sell you my friend?"
One morning he went to the stable and found his horse gone.
All the villagers said, "We told you! You should have sold your horse. Now he's been stolen instead. What terrible luck."
"Bad luck or good luck," the old man said. "Who can say?"
Everyone laughed at him. But 15 days later the horse returned, followed by a whole herd of wild horses. He had escaped from the stable, courted a young mare, and returned with the rest of the herd following behind!
"What luck!" the villagers cried.
The old man and his son began training the wild horses. But a week later the man's son broke his leg trying to train one of the horses.
"Bad luck," said his friends. "What are you going to do now without your son to help you? You who are already so poor."
"Bad luck, good luck, who can say?" the old man replied.
A few days later an army belonging to the lord of the land passed through the village and forced all the young men to become soldiers. All... except the old man's son, because of his broken leg.
"How lucky you are," the villagers cried. "All our children are gone to war, but you've been able to keep your son. Our sons will probably be killed..."
The old man replied, "Bad luck, good luck... who can say?"
The future comes to us in bits and pieces. We never know what lies in store for us. But if you always maintain a positive attitude the doors of chance remain open, and you will be a happier person.
Source: Forwarded email
"To me this horse is not merely an animal. He's a friend. How could I sell you my friend?"
One morning he went to the stable and found his horse gone.
All the villagers said, "We told you! You should have sold your horse. Now he's been stolen instead. What terrible luck."
"Bad luck or good luck," the old man said. "Who can say?"
Everyone laughed at him. But 15 days later the horse returned, followed by a whole herd of wild horses. He had escaped from the stable, courted a young mare, and returned with the rest of the herd following behind!
"What luck!" the villagers cried.
The old man and his son began training the wild horses. But a week later the man's son broke his leg trying to train one of the horses.
"Bad luck," said his friends. "What are you going to do now without your son to help you? You who are already so poor."
"Bad luck, good luck, who can say?" the old man replied.
A few days later an army belonging to the lord of the land passed through the village and forced all the young men to become soldiers. All... except the old man's son, because of his broken leg.
"How lucky you are," the villagers cried. "All our children are gone to war, but you've been able to keep your son. Our sons will probably be killed..."
The old man replied, "Bad luck, good luck... who can say?"
The future comes to us in bits and pieces. We never know what lies in store for us. But if you always maintain a positive attitude the doors of chance remain open, and you will be a happier person.
Source: Forwarded email
Bad Luck or Good Luck : Who can say? (1)
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.
The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground--it just may be a smoke signal that summons The Grace of God.
Source: Inspire Me
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.
The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground--it just may be a smoke signal that summons The Grace of God.
Source: Inspire Me
Positive Thinking
Jerry is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!" He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant.
The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Jerry, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.
I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.
"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested. "Yes, it is," Jerry said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life."
I reflected on what Jerry said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that Jerry did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business: he left the back door open one morning and was held up at gun point by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jerry was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma center. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body.
I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. “The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door," Jerry replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live."
"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. Jerry continued, "...the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man.'
I knew I needed to take action." " What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Jerry. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes,' I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Bullets!' Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'"
Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.
Source: Inspire Me
The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Jerry, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.
I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.
"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested. "Yes, it is," Jerry said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life."
I reflected on what Jerry said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that Jerry did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business: he left the back door open one morning and was held up at gun point by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jerry was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma center. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body.
I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. “The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door," Jerry replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live."
"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. Jerry continued, "...the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man.'
I knew I needed to take action." " What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Jerry. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes,' I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Bullets!' Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'"
Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.
Source: Inspire Me
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Three Doors to Wisdom
A King had, as only son, a young Prince, brave, skillful and intelligent. To perfect his knowledge of Life, he sent him by the side of an Old Wise Man.
"Bring Light to my Path of Life", the Prince asked.
"My words will faint away like the prints of your steps in the sand", the Wise Man answered. However, I want to give you some indications. On your Path, you will find 3 doors. Read the rules written on each of them.
An irresistible need will urge you to follow them. Don't try and get away from them, because you would be condemned to live again, ceaselessly, what you have avoided. I may tell you no more.
You have to feel all this deep in your heart and in your flesh. Go, now. Follow this path, right in front of you. "
The Old Wise Man disappeared and the Prince entered the Path of Life.
He was soon in front of a big door, on which one could read:
"CHANGE THE WORLD".
"It was my intention indeed", the Prince thought, "because if some things please me in this world, others greatly displease me."
And he began his first fight. His ideal, his ardour and his power urged him to confront himself to the world, to undertake, to conquer, to model reality according to his desires.
He found there the pleasure and the dizzyness of the conqueror, but no peace in his heart. He managed to change some things but many others resisted to him. Many years passed.
One day, he met the Old Wise Man who asked him:
"What have you learnt on your path?"
"I have learnt," the Prince answered, " how to discern what is within my power and what is without, what depends on me and what does not depend on me".
"That's good!", the Old Man said. "Use your strength to act on what is within your power. Forget what's beyond your power." And he disappeared.
A bit later, the Prince was in front of a second door. He could read on it :
"CHANGE THE OTHERS".
"It was my intention indeed", he thought. "The others are a source of pleasure, enjoyment and satisfaction, but also, of pain, bitterness and frustration."
And he rebelled against everything that could disturb him or displease him in his fellow men. He tried to bend their characters and to extirpate their defects.
It was there his second fight.
Many years passed.
One day, as he was meditating on the utility of the attempts to change the others, he met the Old Wise Man who asked him:
"What have you learnt on your path?"
"I have learnt", the Prince answered, "that the others are not the cause or the source of my joys and my punishments, my satisfactions and my setbacks. They are only opportunities for all of them to be revealed.
It is in myself that all these things have their roots."
"You are right," the Wise Man said. "According to what they wake up in you, the others reveal you to yourself. Be grateful to those who make your enjoyment and pleasure vibrate.
But be also grateful to those who create in you suffering or frustration, because, through them, life teaches you what is left in you to learn and the path that you still have to walk."
And the Old Man disappeared.
A bit further, the Prince arrived in front of a door, on which these words were written:
"CHANGE YOURSELF".
"If I am myself the cause of my problems, it is indeed what's left in me to work on", he said to himself.
And he began his 3rd fight. He tried to bend his character, to fight his imperfections, to abolish his defects, to change everything that did not please him in himself, everything that did not correspond to his ideal.
After many years of this fight, in which he met some success, but also, some failures and some resistances, the Prince met the Wise Man who asked him:
"What have you learnt on your path?"
"I have learnt", the Prince answered, "that there are things that we can improve, others that resist to us and that we can't manage to break."
"That's good!" the Wise Man said.
"Yes", the Prince went on, "but I am beginning to be tired of fighting against everything, against everybody, against myself. Won't there be an end to it one day? When shall I find a rest? I want to stop fighting, to give up, to abandon everything, I want to let go !"
"It is precisely your next lesson", the Old Wise Man said. "But before going any further, turn round and behold the path covered."
And he disappeared.
On looking back, the Prince saw in the distance the 3rd door, and noticed that it was carrying a text on its back, saying :
"ACCEPT YOURSELF."
The Prince was surprised not to have seen this writing when he went through the door, the other way.
"When one fights, one becomes blind", he said to himself. He also saw, lying on the ground, scattered around him, everything he had thrown away and fought against in him: his defects, his shadows, his fears, his limits, all his old worries. He had learnt then how to recognize them, to accept them, to love them. He had learnt how to love himself without comparing himself to the others any more, without judging himself, without reprimanding himself.
He met the Old Wise Man who asked him:
"What have you learnt on your path?"
"I have learnt", the Prince answered," that hating or refusing a part of myself, it is to condemn myself never to be in agreement with myself. I learnt how to accept myself, totally, unconditionally."
"That's good!", the Old Man said, it is the first rule in Wisdom. Now you can go back through the 3rd door."
He had no sooner reached the other side, that the Prince perceived far away the back side of the second door, on which he could read:
"ACCEPT THE OTHERS".
All around him, he could recognize the persons he had been with all his life through; those he had loved as well as those he had hated. Those he had supported and those he had fought.
But the biggest surprise of all for him was that now, he was absolutely unable to see their imperfections, their defects, what formerly had embarrassed him so much, and against which he had fought.
He met the Old Wise Man again.
"What have you learnt on your path?" he asked him.
"I have learnt", the Prince answered, "that by being in agreement with myself, I had no more anything to blame in the others, no more anything to be afraid of in them. I have learnt how to accept and to love the others, totally, unconditionally."
"That's good!", the Old Wise Man said. "It is the second rule in Wisdom. You can go back through the second door."
On reaching the other side of the second door, the Prince perceived in the distance the back side of the first door, on which he could read:
"ACCEPT THE WORLD".
"Strangely enough", he said to himself, "that I did not see these words on the first time". He looked all around him and recognized this world which he had tried to conquer, to transform, to change. He was struck by the brightness and the beauty of every thing. By their perfection.
Nevertheless, it was the same world as before. Was it the world which had changed or the glance he had on it?
He met the Old Wise Man who asked him:
"What have you learnt on your path?"
"I have learnt", the Prince said, that the world is a mirror for my soul. That my soul can't see the world, it sees itself in the world. When my soul is cheerful, the world seems cheerful to it.
When it is overcome, the world seems sad to it. The world itself is neither sad nor cheerful. It IS there; it exists; it is everything. It was Not the world that disturbed me, but the idea that I had of it. I have learnt to accept it without judging it, to accept it totally, unconditionally. "
"It is 3rd rule of Wisdom", the Old Man said. "You are here now in agreement with yourself, with the others and with the World."
A profound feeling of peace, serenity, plenitude, filled the Prince. Silence was in him.
"Now, you are ready to go past the last Threshold", the Old Wise Man said, "the one that goes from the silence of Plenitude to the Plenitude of Silence ".
And the Old Man disappeared.
"Bring Light to my Path of Life", the Prince asked.
"My words will faint away like the prints of your steps in the sand", the Wise Man answered. However, I want to give you some indications. On your Path, you will find 3 doors. Read the rules written on each of them.
An irresistible need will urge you to follow them. Don't try and get away from them, because you would be condemned to live again, ceaselessly, what you have avoided. I may tell you no more.
You have to feel all this deep in your heart and in your flesh. Go, now. Follow this path, right in front of you. "
The Old Wise Man disappeared and the Prince entered the Path of Life.
He was soon in front of a big door, on which one could read:
"CHANGE THE WORLD".
"It was my intention indeed", the Prince thought, "because if some things please me in this world, others greatly displease me."
And he began his first fight. His ideal, his ardour and his power urged him to confront himself to the world, to undertake, to conquer, to model reality according to his desires.
He found there the pleasure and the dizzyness of the conqueror, but no peace in his heart. He managed to change some things but many others resisted to him. Many years passed.
One day, he met the Old Wise Man who asked him:
"What have you learnt on your path?"
"I have learnt," the Prince answered, " how to discern what is within my power and what is without, what depends on me and what does not depend on me".
"That's good!", the Old Man said. "Use your strength to act on what is within your power. Forget what's beyond your power." And he disappeared.
A bit later, the Prince was in front of a second door. He could read on it :
"CHANGE THE OTHERS".
"It was my intention indeed", he thought. "The others are a source of pleasure, enjoyment and satisfaction, but also, of pain, bitterness and frustration."
And he rebelled against everything that could disturb him or displease him in his fellow men. He tried to bend their characters and to extirpate their defects.
It was there his second fight.
Many years passed.
One day, as he was meditating on the utility of the attempts to change the others, he met the Old Wise Man who asked him:
"What have you learnt on your path?"
"I have learnt", the Prince answered, "that the others are not the cause or the source of my joys and my punishments, my satisfactions and my setbacks. They are only opportunities for all of them to be revealed.
It is in myself that all these things have their roots."
"You are right," the Wise Man said. "According to what they wake up in you, the others reveal you to yourself. Be grateful to those who make your enjoyment and pleasure vibrate.
But be also grateful to those who create in you suffering or frustration, because, through them, life teaches you what is left in you to learn and the path that you still have to walk."
And the Old Man disappeared.
A bit further, the Prince arrived in front of a door, on which these words were written:
"CHANGE YOURSELF".
"If I am myself the cause of my problems, it is indeed what's left in me to work on", he said to himself.
And he began his 3rd fight. He tried to bend his character, to fight his imperfections, to abolish his defects, to change everything that did not please him in himself, everything that did not correspond to his ideal.
After many years of this fight, in which he met some success, but also, some failures and some resistances, the Prince met the Wise Man who asked him:
"What have you learnt on your path?"
"I have learnt", the Prince answered, "that there are things that we can improve, others that resist to us and that we can't manage to break."
"That's good!" the Wise Man said.
"Yes", the Prince went on, "but I am beginning to be tired of fighting against everything, against everybody, against myself. Won't there be an end to it one day? When shall I find a rest? I want to stop fighting, to give up, to abandon everything, I want to let go !"
"It is precisely your next lesson", the Old Wise Man said. "But before going any further, turn round and behold the path covered."
And he disappeared.
On looking back, the Prince saw in the distance the 3rd door, and noticed that it was carrying a text on its back, saying :
"ACCEPT YOURSELF."
The Prince was surprised not to have seen this writing when he went through the door, the other way.
"When one fights, one becomes blind", he said to himself. He also saw, lying on the ground, scattered around him, everything he had thrown away and fought against in him: his defects, his shadows, his fears, his limits, all his old worries. He had learnt then how to recognize them, to accept them, to love them. He had learnt how to love himself without comparing himself to the others any more, without judging himself, without reprimanding himself.
He met the Old Wise Man who asked him:
"What have you learnt on your path?"
"I have learnt", the Prince answered," that hating or refusing a part of myself, it is to condemn myself never to be in agreement with myself. I learnt how to accept myself, totally, unconditionally."
"That's good!", the Old Man said, it is the first rule in Wisdom. Now you can go back through the 3rd door."
He had no sooner reached the other side, that the Prince perceived far away the back side of the second door, on which he could read:
"ACCEPT THE OTHERS".
All around him, he could recognize the persons he had been with all his life through; those he had loved as well as those he had hated. Those he had supported and those he had fought.
But the biggest surprise of all for him was that now, he was absolutely unable to see their imperfections, their defects, what formerly had embarrassed him so much, and against which he had fought.
He met the Old Wise Man again.
"What have you learnt on your path?" he asked him.
"I have learnt", the Prince answered, "that by being in agreement with myself, I had no more anything to blame in the others, no more anything to be afraid of in them. I have learnt how to accept and to love the others, totally, unconditionally."
"That's good!", the Old Wise Man said. "It is the second rule in Wisdom. You can go back through the second door."
On reaching the other side of the second door, the Prince perceived in the distance the back side of the first door, on which he could read:
"ACCEPT THE WORLD".
"Strangely enough", he said to himself, "that I did not see these words on the first time". He looked all around him and recognized this world which he had tried to conquer, to transform, to change. He was struck by the brightness and the beauty of every thing. By their perfection.
Nevertheless, it was the same world as before. Was it the world which had changed or the glance he had on it?
He met the Old Wise Man who asked him:
"What have you learnt on your path?"
"I have learnt", the Prince said, that the world is a mirror for my soul. That my soul can't see the world, it sees itself in the world. When my soul is cheerful, the world seems cheerful to it.
When it is overcome, the world seems sad to it. The world itself is neither sad nor cheerful. It IS there; it exists; it is everything. It was Not the world that disturbed me, but the idea that I had of it. I have learnt to accept it without judging it, to accept it totally, unconditionally. "
"It is 3rd rule of Wisdom", the Old Man said. "You are here now in agreement with yourself, with the others and with the World."
A profound feeling of peace, serenity, plenitude, filled the Prince. Silence was in him.
"Now, you are ready to go past the last Threshold", the Old Wise Man said, "the one that goes from the silence of Plenitude to the Plenitude of Silence ".
And the Old Man disappeared.
Monday, January 3, 2011
He Burned His Boat
HE BURNED HIS BOATS
A long time ago there was a great General who was faced with a situation which made it necessary for him to make a drastic decision to insure his success on the battlefield. He was about to send his army on shore to face a powerful enemy, whose men outnumbered his. He loaded his soldiers into boats, and sailed to face the enemies on shore. When they reached the shore, he ordered them to unload the soldiers and cargoes. He then ordered for all the ships and boats to be burned. Addressing his men before the battle, he said, “You see the ships and boats going up in smoke. That means that we cannot leave these shores alive unless we win! We now, have no choice – either we win, or we perish.” They WON!
SUCCESS PRINCIPLES
Just like the General, we have to burn all our bridges if we want to achieve success. There can be no room for retreat and we must have an attitude of, “Whatever it takes”, taking into consideration that we can have anything we desire provided we do not violate Universal Laws and the rights of our fellow human beings. Do not dwell on the past. Move forward with confidence and we will surely see success, unexpected in common hours.
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE
"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."
A long time ago there was a great General who was faced with a situation which made it necessary for him to make a drastic decision to insure his success on the battlefield. He was about to send his army on shore to face a powerful enemy, whose men outnumbered his. He loaded his soldiers into boats, and sailed to face the enemies on shore. When they reached the shore, he ordered them to unload the soldiers and cargoes. He then ordered for all the ships and boats to be burned. Addressing his men before the battle, he said, “You see the ships and boats going up in smoke. That means that we cannot leave these shores alive unless we win! We now, have no choice – either we win, or we perish.” They WON!
SUCCESS PRINCIPLES
Just like the General, we have to burn all our bridges if we want to achieve success. There can be no room for retreat and we must have an attitude of, “Whatever it takes”, taking into consideration that we can have anything we desire provided we do not violate Universal Laws and the rights of our fellow human beings. Do not dwell on the past. Move forward with confidence and we will surely see success, unexpected in common hours.
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE
"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."
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