Surrender Gracefully
We are surrounded by graceful surrender. The geese
surrender to the first autumn chills, and think of
flying south. The flower surrenders to the night and
shuts up shop as the setting sun surrenders to the
horizon of another day. A mother surrenders to the needs
of her baby, and the child surrenders to the wisdom of
the father. These kinds of surrender are sweet and
natural. They are graceful movements in a dance to the
subtle symphony of life. While we may find moments to
surrender to such grace and beauty, if we are not
careful, we also tend to allow ourselves to surrender to
our appetites, to envy, to greed and then to self
centered lifestyles in which we serve only ourselves. No
grace there - only the disgrace of self-inflicted
slavery. Whatever we surrender our minds to, will
eventually shape our character and define the quality of
our life. Be careful what you surrender your mind to,
even if it's only for a day, or an hour.
Free from Excuses
The one who becomes the judge of the self and not that
of others, is free from criticizing others
unnecessarily. Such a person also does not plead his own
case by giving excuses and proving himself right. So he
is able to bring about a positive change in himself and
others are able to take inspiration from the change that
he brings in his own life. When we are free from giving
excuses and reasons for things going wrong, especially
to ourselves, we are able to experience progress in our
lives. For everything that happens, instead of blaming
others we are able to take some new learning and use it
for our own self-progress. We are able to remain light
because we have no expectations from others, but are
able to bring about a change in them through our
actions.
Spirituality In Practice (Self Introspection)
On the screen of your mind, make an appraisal (note) of
what has happened throughout the past week... Think
about the awareness that you have had of yourself...
think about the actions you have taken...Have they been
based on a positive consciousness of yourself? Can you
see the intentions behind your actions? Are they pure
and positive? Now, slowly and gently, I focus on my
inner self... I observe myself... Does my life carry
meaning and a purpose... Is there learning and growth at
each step? Do I possess inner strength... Am I able to
use powers like the power to tolerate, power to
co-operate, power to face in my everyday actions and
experience success at every step... If so, do I feel
strong and secure... Do I remain in self-respect and as
a result respect others... Do I love myself and have
good wishes for each one that I interact with... Do I
feel calm and at peace... free to experience my inner
qualities... Are my qualities visible through my
actions... And now, for a few moments, I am going to
create feelings of peace and serenity for others... I am
going to share thoughts and feelings of peace with
others... this is practical spirituality...
Soul Sustenance
The After Effects of Anger
If realized deeply, it’s alright to conclude that anger
destroys. If it doesn't destroy our physical body (that
too it manages to do in the long term), it definitely
destroys our capacity to be creative. And after all the
very purpose of our life – is to be creative. So in
short, anger deviates us from reaching our very purpose
of life. Anger is never every good for health –
mental or physical; never ever positive or empowering
and never ever allowable or justified. Many authors
of self development books, philosophers, psychologists
and experts on the human nature have argued that anger
is a natural, biological and psychological response
which is an integral part of human sanskara and life.
While this can be respected as a point of view, it is
not at all true. From a spiritual perspective, which
means a view based on the absolute truth because the
word ‘spiritual’ means that which is the truth, anger is
never ever natural or beneficial. While we are all used
to getting angry, each one of us to different extents;
on a little introspection, we will realize that it
drains us out and is counter-productive. Anger is an
absolutely unwanted emotion if we want to live a
peaceful, contented and blissful life. It totally
destroys the ability to create meaningful and deep
relationships based on trust and respect and brings the
efficiency of our actions, performed at the workplace,
at home or anywhere else, down. If we believe in the
necessity of anger, we need to stop for a while and
reflect deeply and see if we can see how it is a huge
obstacle to our own contentment and fulfillment, and how
it negatively influences the contentment and fulfillment
of those around us.
Message for the day
True love is felt by all who receive it.
Projection:
Sometimes we do find ourselves in situations where
others are not responding to the love we are giving. We
are trying to be understanding and accepting as much as
possible but others don't seem to be recognizing it. In
such a situation we begin to blame others and their lack
of feelings and concern.
Solution:
Instead of blaming others when our love and concern is
not being reciprocated, we need to check the quality of
the love that we give. If there is even a trace of
selfishness or if it is mixed with expectations, our
love will not be able to reach out and touch the hearts
of others. So we need to make sure that our love is pure
and unselfish.