Laws of our Destiny

Monday, 04 May 2020

Quote from the True charm and Power of Vedanta

Laws of our Destiny

Reincarnation and Immortality

We may have an intellectual conception of this and repeat that everything happens by God’s Will, but are we able to feel it when the greatest difficulties confront us! If we reach that point, then there is no doubt that our destiny is solely governed by God’s hand. If , however , we have any egotistic sense or any feeling of separateness from that Divine Power , then we must assume the burden of our own life consciously, diligently, and with all watchfulness. The orthodox idea of accepting  everything that comes as God’s will is not to be looked upon with contempt’s. But something must be added to it. It is true that everything which happens is God’s will; and if it is God’s will , we must accept it with an undoubting mind. The question naturally arises, however , that if all is the will of God, Who is all merciful, al wise, all loving , why are there such tremendous variations in the fortune of man? They do not seem just and therefore cannot be ordained by a just God.

We forget that if God moulds our destiny, He must mould it according to the material we give; and that is what makes this great variety in His creation. This will explain why one man is happy, and other unhappy; one refined and another coarse; one spiritual and another worldly. It is due to the material we ourselves give through our own thoughts and deeds , our own consuls or unconscious feelings . it we do not take account of this fact, it is almost impossible for us to reach a satisfactory explanation of life. We may feel despair , distrust, skepticism; but that will not solve the problem or quench our truculent unrest. We must view everything with calmness of spirit and openness of heart; and if we are able to do this ,the book of life will not seem so confusing to us.

Livelihood that’s right

The Speaking Tree | ET

By Thich Nhat Hanh

Aware that great violence and injustice have been done to our environment and society, we are committed not to live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. We will do our best to select a livelihood that helps us realise our ideal of understanding and compassion.

Aware of global economic, political and social realities, we will behave responsibly as consumers and as citizens, not supporting companies that deprive others of their chance to live. Right Livelihood, one of the tenets of the Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path, urges us to work in professions that harm neither humans nor nature, physically or morally. We live in a society where work is hard to find, and Right Livelihood is difficult to practise. Many modern industries, including those in agriculture and food manufacturing, work in ways that are harmful to humans and nature. Use of chemical poisons harm the environment, but if chemicals are not used, it may be hard to compete commercially. Not many farmers have the courage to practise organic farming.

However, in the interrelatedness of all things, I can see that the demand factor is also responsible for farmers being pushed to grow more. So, Right Livelihood is a collective matter; the livelihood of each person affects all of us, and vice versa.

If we are able to work in a profession that helps us realise our ideal of compassion, we should be grateful. Every day, we should help create proper jobs for ourselves and others by living correctly — simply and sanely.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

But, if He exists?

I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.

 

Monday, 09 July 2018

In pursuit of excellence

Economic Times in The Speaking Tree |   India | ET

  Excellence means doing your best at whatever you do. Doing your best requires competence. But that competence doesn’t come without effort. As Olympic swimming medallist Mark Spitz put it, “We all love to win, but how many people love to train?” Excellence calls for discipline and character. Excellence is enhancing your own abilities and competing with yourself. It is about becoming passionate and enthusiastic about your work and displaying the highest of standards at all times.

Ordinary people, when confronted with a challenge, ask, “Can I do it?” Extraordinary people, who pursue excellence as a pattern, ask, “How can I do it?” The difference between excellence and mediocrity is the power driving the single word “how”, and that word is available to all of us at every moment. Excellence is not an act but a habit. Many of us do things unconsciously most of the time. So, once we form the habit of striving for excellence, it becomes second nature, and we pursue excellence unconsciously.

People who strive for excellence are not fearful of change or challenges but will make things happen despite all odds. Excellent people always do their best and are impeccable about keeping their word.

In the corporate world, quality is often described as “free from defects”. To us, quality also means providing customers with the products and services they want, the way they want them —with no hassle and no errors. Excellence means that we do all this to an extraordinary degree. So, when we speak of quality, we are also speaking of excellence.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

Quote from the True Charm and Power of Vedanta

The pain –bearing, obstructions are ignorance, egoism, attachment , aversion and clinging to life.

These are the five pains, the fivefold tie that binds us down, of which ignorance is the cause of all our misery. What else can make us miserable? The nature of the soul is eternal bliss . what can make it sorrowful except ignorance , hallucination, delusions. All pain of the Soul is simply delusion.

But, if He exists?

I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.

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