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.
