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 text which will guide the
Choose-day posts is "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).
We
move on to Chapter 2, which has the subtitle, "Perform to Potential".
Having looked at the need to take charge of one's own life in the first
chapter, it is almost certain that there are some folk left wondering… 'does it
not seem that there are some who seem to be the chosen few to succeed in life?'
It can seem that way at times, can it not? We can think that we are putting our
best in but somehow never achieving. However, the very first suutra of this
chapter makes it clear that there is equal chance for all.
svRe
jna> s)ltamaPtu< yaeGya> smwaRí.1.
Sarve
janaaH saphalataam-aaptum yogyaaH samarthaashcha ||1||
All people are eligible and capable of achieving
success.
There
are some who believe that there are others born under some kind of 'special
star' or are blessed by Grace of this or that influence such as social status,
connections… the way the wind is blowing… There can be a negative mind-set
which declares "I can never succeed, I am good for nothing." Or there
may be others who do this thinking on another's behalf, disabling them with the
attitude.
None of it is true! All can succeed. EVERYONE
HAS THIS CAPACITY WITHIN THEM. The thing that makes the difference between the
successful and the not-so is the ability to recognise the potential within and
to tap into it. When we are young and tender, it makes all the difference in
the world if we have a relative or teacher who recognises a spark of creativity
within us and seeks to nurture it, empowering us to recognise our own capacity
in due time and then to further build upon that. There are a few rare individuals who definitely are born with an
innate understanding of their own talent and the ability to utilise every
opportunity; but be clear about this - every single one of us has talent, we
just need to accept that it is there and have the will to make the most of it.
What
is true about the individual is also true for organisations, communities and
nations. First there has to be the recognition of potential, then the drive to
maximise that potential. There is no saying it is easy, but there are plenty of
examples around the world of where this is done. (It is worth taking note here
that what one calls as 'success' may vary according to various criteria also;
thus being realistic is a part of the process.)
When
it comes to success in business, society etc, all members within the structure
have to own a responsibility for the part they play within it and, for success
to be genuine, be fully engaged in the common goal. This also requires that
the strengths and weakness of the individuals within the
business/community/nation are properly directed, well resourced and managed. It
requires clear insight, realistic goal setting, strong communication and so on.
Never
underestimate yourself… or another! Okay - but how can it be said that ALL are
capable of success?
ysmaTSvtNÇta
mnu:y-jnmnae ivze;ta.2.
Yasmaat-svatantrataa
manushya-janmano visheshataa ||2||
Since freedom is the speciality of human life.
The
freedom being referred to here is the ability to override the general animal
instincts. Humans alone have intellectual capacity, a higher-thinking function
which permits us to recognise our physical limitation and overcome them. All
other animal species are not equipped thus; a cow cannot be anything other than
a grass-eating, milk-producer; an elephant may know itself to be part of a
greater structure (evidence of societal connection), but still it cannot break
away from the savannas and forests of its birth.
The
physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual personality of Man gives him
infinite potential to be more than he is born as. We have tremendous examples
of this in the likes of Professor Stephen Hawking and John Nash, each 'trapped'
in different ways, yet towering contributions made to society and science
because of the antaH karana - that inner apparatus of
mind-memory-ego-intellect.
Each
and every day, in some small way, there are children and adults around the
globe whose potential is ready to flourish. If we feel limited or incapable
then it is only by our own thinking. Time and again it is proven that if we
want something badly enough, we can obtain it - preferably by fair means! Each
of us must fund the will to knock down any obstacles put in our way. Very
often, too, the limitation is put upon us by our family or wider social
structure. If we have the strength of character and the determination, we can
override such bindings also. Of course, sometimes this means there is a price
to be paid. Only we can assess that value to ourselves.
