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).
So
much had been said about success - but is it not the case that when the 'stars
shine' upon us, that's to our fortune?
¢hdzapeúaya
mnaedza smIúa[Iya.4.
Graha-dashaapekshayaa
mano-dashaa samiikshaniiyaa ||4||
Take care of the state of your mind more than that of
the planets.
What
is laid out for us in our praarabdha (the karmic map) is beyond our ken.
Surrendering to cosmic alignments and solar shifts is foolhardy in this life
which is being lived. We have been given free will in order to make the changes
needed to alter the map and write new directions for ourselves. It is so easy
to look externally in order to lay blame; we point fingers at others, we blame
the stars and planets, we say the circumstances were wrong… but is this not all
futile? In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Shri Krishna states, "Neither are people, deities, planets, fate nor bad
times the casue for my joy or sorrow. It is the mind alone, due to which the
whole world revolves, that causes our joys and sorrows."
No
doubt, we have to deal with external circumstances, and the planets will be
where the planets will be - but can the little 'me' do anything about them?
Certainly not the cosmic stuff, and quite often not the circumstances… though
we may find ourselves at the centre or cause of them, in which case we do have
a part to play. Regardless of all this, the choice to be happy or sad is
entirely up to ourselves. Handling things with optimism, whilst not necessarily
easy, will always result in a positive conclusion. Yes, that may mean
compromise, but as long as all can walk away from a circumstance feeling that
there is forward movement and none are being damaged, then it is to be seen as
a success… in the positive light. If one insists on remaining in the sorrowful
state of mind, then nothing will seem successful - even it falls directly to
our favour. The state of mind is key to so much.
It
is a weak mind which blames, complains and reacts. We must strengthen our
mental scenery; this is the focus of our personal development which is
imperative - not the flow and orbit of
stars and planets.
The
strong mind does not 'cry over spilt milk', but accepts the situation it faces.
Being alert, sensitive, understanding and poised, it exercises its choice. It
chooses its attitude, chooses to get influenced or remain immune, and it
chooses its response. Circumstances cannot overwhelm a strong mind.
