Ramana Maharshi is the man with loving eyes we saw in class. I took another look at his photograph and it is astonishing how much love truly is in those eyes… and acceptance. Isn’t love and acceptance all anyone wants? Imagine if there were more great teachers such as Maharshi and, for example, better known Ghandi, alive today teaching peace. We could all learn a thing from these men. We could learn from Ghandi active non-violence and from Maharshi the value of Self-enquiry. “Wanting to reform the world around without discovering one’s true self is like trying to cover the whole world with leather to avoid the pain of walking on stones and thorns. ” I wonder if we all participated in a day of what Maharshi called “Self”, how constructive we would feel at the end of the day.
What is “Self”? If you think of all the characteristics such as: Love, Honesty, Gratitude, Courage, Knowledge, etc… these are the same qualities of God, Spirit, Self, I Am, what ever you call the energy that connects all of us, we all share these same qualities and they are good. That makes all of us “Self”. What if we only focused on all the good qualities and paid no attention to the mistakes we sometimes make? What then? How simple life might be. Why do make life so complicated? Maybe because we want to make sense of things- we try to understand this thought, that we are all one. Maybe if we start with ourselves and understand what’s going on inside us then we might understand the rest. Maharshi says “the ultimate truth is so simple” I like to think of the fish, swimming in their world never noticing their source of life. Spirit is that what surrounds us. However it’s simplicity is what brings doubt.
I propose an experiment. Do every activity with more optimism. Bring more joy to your life. Be actively involved in the way your life unfolds, not an onlooker. Be positive. My challenge will be refraining from name calling during my commute. Although innocent, these remarks add to the power we all create and the negativity of the world. If we could change our attitudes to be more respectful and not only concerned about our individual welfare I think there cold be a major shift in the world. Changing our thought from survival mode to believing, knowing and letting life just happen, stepping out of the way of your “Self”, if you will, and allowing your fate to unfold could change the world.
And so it is, it's just that simple.
2 comments:
Hi Sarah,
You wrote: "My challenge will be refraining from name calling during my commute."
That' awesome! This is a religion class, though, so you have to make it as a sacred vow...are you ready to take that step?
If not, then that's okay. But if so, then I think you've just set a real and beautiful example for those around you.
Not only that, but it's these kinds of little commitments that, over time, bring joy deeper and deeper into your heart.
Yes! I've supplemented the negative phases I have used so often in the past, with more understanding thoughts. Most are excuses for their bad behavior, but it's kept me in peace on the road this weekend.
And I intend to keep at it, so... I guess- I vow to be more understanding of ours.
And so it is.
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