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).
There
are many problems in the world; and even though many people may have similar
problems, they each see them differently. Could there be a common solution?
_avtu laEikksmSyana< smaxan< tu AaXyaiTmk†:q(Ev.7.
Bhavatu laukika-samasyaanaam samaadhaanam tu
aadhyaatmika-dRshthyaiva ||7||
Let all worldly problems be solved
only by a spiritual vision.
Varied problems come uninvited - the most important thing is how we look at them. The Bhagavad Gita
demonstrates the negative and positive views directly, in that Arjuna initially
sees the impending battle at Kurukshetra as something to fear and run away
from. Sri Krishna is able to turn this wavering view around as he explains the
purpose of karma, of duty, of priorities of purpose and so forth. Arjuna comes
to realise his role is very important in the outcome and for the future and
thus, through this spiritual counselling, straightens himself and gets on with
the job.
Problems are of a number of types; factual (objective), prejudicial,
relational, attitudinal and so on. An example of the objective type might be
illness, family trouble, unemployment, inflation, political unrest; they are
'facts' of life. Prejudicial types are those where there is a subjective
element involved; our likes and dislikes, past experiences, boxed-in thinking, all colour our judgement. Similarly, these plus miscommunication (whether
accidental or deliberate) can cause problems in relationships and our attitude
- or that of others - can make or break a situation. To a large extent, lateral
thinking, common sense, correct information, keeping an open mind and Love in
our hearts, as well as a willingness to work on the issue/s, all help to resolve
the objective and subjective problems. To do this, though, we need to be
level-headed and cool, seeing the problem itself as 'situation' (abstract
object) so that we can think appropriatly and act accordingly; in other words,
objectivity is necessary. For example, take a chronic, non-fatal disease; what
cannot be cured must be endured. Should one hate the disease and complain
endlessly, or forbear it cheerfully? The cause might be of this life (poor
lifestyle, say) or of praarabdha (past life karma) - what is important if we
are not to be overwhelmed with it or cause a lot of inconvenience and become a
problem to others around us, is to correct our attitude; we can see the disease
as being a chance to burn down some of our karmic debt. In accepting our own
situation we can become more empathetic of others' plight..
Another example might be if one is working hard and earning well, yet
still complaining that ends don't meet. Ask whether it might not be possible to
economise. Who are we trying to impress with the big house or car? Will getting
all you desire, all the 'keeping up with the neighbours', bring happiness? Is
that the goal?
Insults and praises go to our heart our heads… but how should we
view censure or praise really? What is being hurt? Nothing but our ego! The ego
reacts, whilst the intellect responds. To succumb to hurt or to swagger with
pride is reaction. Rather, thank the critic for bringing a weakness to light
and then work on it to improve; thank the admirer with bowed head and think no
more on it other than to continue the good work.
This spiritual guidance is simple and effective and is really a common
thing across the globe. It is not a religious doctrine thing, but a
straightforward, 'human-being-ness'. Anything which we perceive as a problem is
only that as long as we do not see it as a situation to be handled. Problems
are seen as blockages, situations are merely hurdles to be jumped.