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.
Guru-ji, Swami Tejomayananda, now
points out that as action is the result of an initial thought, it is up to us
to choose the thoughts which will bring improved results.
We all face various problems in life. At the individual level, there
may be problems related to health, emotions, relationships, marriage, children
and career. At the national level, there are problems of poverty, unemployment,
social unrest, illiteracy and corruption. These often bring us sorrow and pain.
Yet, if we analyse them honestly we will find that their root cause is almost
entirely a lack of proper thinking and acting.
Wrong thoughts lead to a defective vision of the world and a chaotic
relationship with it. As a result, we have false expectations and
disappointments at every step. If we can only improve our thinking, we can mend
our homes and make the world a better place to live in. But many choose to
suffer rather than to think. They get caught up in the mesh of wrong thinking,
often coloured by prejudices and narrow-mindedness.
The solution: Think Big, Act Wisely, Show results!
Youth need right thinking, leading to a clear vision of life. We
should remove all the barriers of pettiness and think big! Big things are
achieved in the world, first by daring to conceive them in our mind. Man dared to think that he could fly like a
bird and the first flying machine was invented. He dared to think that he could
reach the moon, and lo! Man landed there! Nothing is impossible for the one who
thinks big. Our thoughts alone bind us and make us small, and thought alone can
free us. Break this bondage of narrow, limiting thought and think big!
This means not only to think as an individual but as a nation as
well. Think what will be beneficial to the nation, what will bring about the
national good. When Swami Chinmayananda learnt the scriptures from his teacher,
he thought about how he could pass on the knowledge to all people. This is
called “Thinking Big.” Swami Vivekananda used to spend restless nights in
America thinking of the welfare of India and the world.
After “Thinking Big” through proper vision, one should then strive
hard to act wisely. As Pujya Gurudev said, ‘plan out your work, and work out
your plan.” To act wisely is to act with proper understanding and good
attitude. This is presented in the famous Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr:
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to
change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
For example, Sri Rama knew which situation to accept as it was and
which to take action against. Without complaint or mental agitation, he
accepted his exile in the forest for fourteen years as the call of Dharma; but
when Sitaji, his wife was kidnapped by the wicked king, Ravana, Rama put forth
the effort to collect an army and attack Ravana in order to get her back.
Keeping the head calm and balanced, one should act efficiently to
show results. Let the results be seen in the transformation of our personality.
We should strive to become better human beings. Our purity, efficiency and
wisdom should steadily grow. The result of our work should also be seen in our
environment. The team of people with whom we work should become integrated and
happy. The work should lead to harmony, beauty, and prosperity in the society.
Let us use all available opportunities to harness our inner
potential, to learn to overcome all barriers in our thinking. Use opportunities
to learn the secret of right action. Finally, get inspired and achieve
greatness in the world within and without.
