Light of Understanding
The very way we see situations reflects our maturity or lack of it. We could perceive a scenario from the point of view of the prospect of profit or from the angle of view of possibility of service. Thoughts of gain and loss on one hand, and pleasure and pain on the other could cloud our grasp of a given state of affairs. To the extent we bring our personal gratification into the picture, we lose our objectivity. The man attached to the use of a hammer, it is said, sees every problem as having a nail to hit.
Right seeing can take place when “I, me and my” do not interfere in our perception. Neither the wounds of our past nor the glories of our bygone days have a role to play in our today’s experiencing. If they do, then we are in the shadow of the dark clouds of our ego. Sublime light marks our relationships when we participate in the unfolding events of life with the whole of our being. Memories limit us as thoughts of future (which are projections of memories) also do. Seeing, listening, touching, tasting and smelling are all intense when thoughts (of I, me and mine) stay out. Thoughts, however clever they may be, bring certain dimness into the moment’s experience.
Kindness, compassion, care and love – and a host of virtues that we may think of – come out truly when we do not think them out or plan them. They are never conceived. They are not concepts. They are real. They are true life. Sattva is the medium for true life to shine forth.
When rays of light stream forth from every pore of your body, know then that your understanding of life is mature and balanced. Geeta 14:11
Swami Chidananda
Monday, September 15, 2003