ADVENTURES IN ADVAITA VEDANTA...

Adventures in Advaita Vedanta, the philosophy and science of spirit. We are one you and I; are you curious why?..


Pain-Gain Ratio

Hari Om
Each 'Choose-day' we will investigate the process by which we can reassess our activity and interaction with the world of plurality and become more congruent within our personality.

We are reading "Tips for Happy Living - jIvnsUÇai[ /jiivanasuutraani", by Swami Tejomayananda (Guru-ji). Choose-days writings are here to prompt deeper thinking on the choices made on a daily basis and seek to provide prompts for raising the standard of one's thinking and living. This text composed in format of Sanskrit traditional teachings, speaks directly to this purpose. As ever, the full text may be obtained from CM Publications - or your local centre (see sidebar).

Last week the tests of life were discussed. Does pain make us or break us?

pIfahInae la_aStwa la_ahIna pIfa naiSt.7.
Piidahiinao laachastathaa laabhahiinaa piidaa nasti ||7||
There is no gain without pain, no pain without gain.

This has become such an oft-used term, but it holds such truth. Pain indicates a problem. If there is no pain, folk might not become aware of disease within them, for example. Pain therefore is an alert. Pain is unacceptable and we wish to be rid of it, so we search to find out its cause and can then treat accordingly.

Pain focuses our attention; when in pain our mind has difficulty being anywhere else. Likewise, sorrow humbles us. Joy can cause us to become complacent and attached. Sorrow initiates inquiry and creates dispassion. Adversities test our commitment, convictions and values. They can mature strengthen and transform us. More importantly, for the spiritual seeker, pain prompts us to turn to the Lord and beg his mercy and support to free us from the pain or sorrow.

In ever pain there is a gain. We have to sacrifice something in order to attain something. We lose the innocence of childhood and gain the joys of youth. Those who really leave their mark upon the world can often be found to have suffered much to attain that recognition and standing. We should therefore not be afraid of pain or adversities as, in very pain there is gain and in every gain there is a pain.