Quote from the
true charm and power of Vedanta
The Spiritual practice
One point we must very clearly and
deeply impress upon ourselves. Spiritual life is very slow uphill work, it is a
cruel drudgery, and is for eternity. Somehow most of us have the idea, however subconscious
it may be that spirituality is something to be acquired in a brief space of
time and then will follow a long holiday with leisured enjoyment. Eternal vigilance
is the price of liberty. Spiritual life is for all eternity, that is to say,
there is no such holiday as we contemplate. The same high tone of mind has to
be continually maintained, without slightest of relaxation. The same
watchfulness the same caution and the same rigour. So we have to prepare ourselves
as a man facing capital punishment –there can be no revocation and return. That
grim calmness is a sine qua non. If we remember this fact we shall not allow
our mind to be content with merely pleasurable action or emotion. We shall feel
that the training of mind to regular habits is more urgent in spiritual life
the indulgence in superfine emotions. Young people should carefully remember and
guard themselves accordingly.
Naturally it will be found that not all who feel spiritual longing are fit or destined to renounce the world or devote themselves exclusively to religion. Most of them will have to continue the culture of spirituality along with worldly avocations. They will have to play the double game. They will have so to perform their worldly duties that these may not prove antagonistic to their spiritual life and may on the other hand prove helpful. Of course this problem and its solution will be different with different people. The problem of the married will be different form that of the unmarried. The solution also will be different in each case.
Seven lessons to be learnt from sports
By Dharmen Shah
The Tokyo Olympics has been a golden
period for sports followers. Sports relax and entertain. They also teach us
some important spiritual, life-improving lessons.
Maintain grace: In a high jump event
at the Olympics, we saw Qatar’s athlete giving up an opportunity to go for a
solo gold medal because his Italian opponent was injured. He shared the gold
medal with the Italian and ensured that the spirit of Olympics wins. There was
grace and magnanimity to be seen. Similarly in life, we too should be prepared
to share the spoils. You grow in stature when you bring up others with you. You
will end up being a winner.
It’s all about teamwork: In
football, the striker in the front scores a goal. Though the goal is solely marked in his name,
the ball actually reaches him after several passes made by his teammates,
dodging the opposing defenders. The striker’s role is to put it in the goal
post from a short distance. He is credited with the goal scored. Similarly in
life, a significant portion of your success can be attributed to your team and
your family. Acknowledge their role.
Make fewer errors: It is seen that
in any sport, a player or a team with fewer unforced errors will win, as
compared to the one who may hit more winners. The recently concluded Wimbledon
final is a fine example. The winner, Novak Djokovic, made only 21 unforced
errors, and his opponent Matteo Berrettini, more than twice as many, 48.
Berrettini had 57 winners, as opposed to Djokovic’s 31. Trying to hit winners
also carries the risk of committing mistakes. Similarly in life, if you can
avoid mistakes like taking disproportionate financial risks, you will most
likely end up a winner.
Focus and concentrate: The most
embarrassing situation is when a player scores an ‘own goal’. This happens
mostly due to lack of focus. Similarly in life, by lowering your guard, you
could become a victim of fraud. Remain focused to ensure that you don’t put
yourself in harm’s way.
Enjoy at your level: It is not for
everyone to become the greatest of all time, a GOAT, a legend. Every generation
throws up only a few great names that
are revered for a long time. A vast majority play the game knowing that they
may never be legends, but they play because of their passion for the game.
Similarly in life, you may not set up a big multinational company, but you can
create a niche that can make you happy and successful.
Inspire others: The captain of the
team is not necessarily the best player, however, he is a motivator and has the
ability to bring out the best in his team. He has the heart to take the blame
for the defeat and credit the team for success. Similarly in life, you may not
be the best engineer or lawyer leading a team, but if you have the qualities
that inspire others to respect you, you can lead successfully.
Down but not out: Instances of
turning the game around in your favour are many when all seems lost. We have
seen players and teams doing the impossible through sheer grit. Similarly in
life, patience, perseverance, confidence in your ability play an important role
to ensure that you come out successful from a difficult situation
No comments:
Post a Comment