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.
The next little prasaada-pushtaka (gift-book) we are studying is Sw. Tejoymayananda's "Take Charge of Your Life".
Guru-ji is a wonderfully pragmatic personality and has a strongly down-to-earth
approach to life and application of Vedanta. These are going to be short, sharp
bursts
of applied 'shreyas-preyas' decision
making!
TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY
It
is surely clear, is it not, that "I" the individual cannot live the
life of "you" who is another; conversely the other cannot live the
life which is "mine". Certainly we all can live with the external
guidance from the other, but the actual 'living of life' can only be done by
the individual. Therefore, if we really want to do anything with our life the
fundamental lesson we must learn is that no one else can do the work which will
make that life for us; we have to take charge and become responsible for our
own life.
At
all times, what we make of our lives comes down to our own choice. Even in the
poorest of circumstances. We can look up, or we can look down. It is all too
easy to give excuses and pass blame, pointing the finger externally and
justifying what 'goes wrong'. If we lose our temper, who is to blame? All too
readily those carrying anger blame that anger on others, rather than taking
responsibility for their own responses. This happens all the time in life. So
quickly we look for excuses. Self-reformation is the empowerment we require. We
have the example of Sage Valmiki. He was nothing but a common robber in earlier
life. He used to loot wayfarers in the forest. One day he came across Sri
Narada, who asked "why do you do these violent things? Is there anyone to
share these acts with you?" The initial response of the robber was that he
was doing these things to support his family and that as they benefitted, they
too had a share in his evil deeds. When he got back, he joked with his wife and
family about this meeting… then had the rude awakening of the wife and family
saying that he alone was responsible for his deeds and that they felt
impoverished having to live from such poor means. The shock of this hit deeply
and that man sought ways to improve himself and therefore the status of his
family. He became, eventually, Maharishi Valmiki, remembered for all time for
setting the example of taking charge of one's own path!
We
alone can live our lives and no one else can walk the path for us. Responsibility for my life is mine, and mine alone.
Understanding
this, it equally becomes clear that life is what we make of it. The question
which must follow, then, is how to do this? The analogy for is that of building
a house; first we have to make sure that the foundation is firm and strong and
the materials used are of superior quality. Sound foundations are the most
important part of any structure.
What,
then, are the foundations for building our life? What are the materials?
Vision, is the foundation, values form the material. We must ensure to be
realistic in vision and form sound plans to support it. We must ensure the
setting of values such that they are second nature and not superficial. To say
one thing but do another is often the first and most obvious shortfall in life.