There are war, famine, fire, floods and pestilence in the world. There always was. But thanks to the electronic media, all these are now happening daily in your own family lounge. Buildings are collapsing, people are crying and dying, blood is spilling in your own house, with your whole family watching, while having dinner.
One has to guard the boundaries of one’s own mind alertly. Swami ChinmayanandaJi used to say that “constant alertness is the price you pay to keep the mind pure”.
It is our own choice to sift out the garbage from entering our mind, for once it enters, it houses itself there forever after. So also Satsang, positive, happy and cheerful thoughts when imbibed, remain in the mind and cultivate a garden of joy and cheer, not only for your inner world but even for the world around. We take ourselves and the world too seriously. Gurudev Pujya ChinmayanandaJi said, “Whenever you are praised or insulted, redirect the envelop straightaway to Him, it is His glory and His insult. Who are you to claim it?” Keep the invaders out, defend your territory, a pure and cheerful mind is your most prized possession, guard it.
The ancient Greek symbol of wisdom, Socrates, was once sitting amongst his students and teaching, when suddenly his cantankerous angry wife barged in and started abusing him loudly and insulting him. Socrates remained calm and silent. Then she went in and got a bucket of cold water and emptied it on his head. Now, that would have stung any man’s ego to react with anger but the wise Socrates smiled and commented to his students, “See, there is always a shower after a thunderstorm.” He “chose” to laugh and make others laugh.
Prarthna Saran, President Chinmaya Mission Delhi. Email: prarthnasaran@gmail.com