Worldly wisdom<\/p>\n
Modern life is beset with tremendous problems, with stress
\nbeing an inescapable part of it. How do we face the challenges of
\nlife? Dada J.P. Vaswani, Indian philosopher-mentor-humanitarian,
\ndelivered a lecture recently in Jakarta on this topic. I had the
\ngood fortune to listen to his eloquent and thought-provoking
\ndiscourse, and it was really an inspiring and rewarding
\nexperience.<\/p>\n
Dada Vaswani advocates a religion of love (Reverence for all
\nlives) which extends to seeing God everywhere, not only in every
\nhuman-being but even in birds and animals. In essence, we are one
\nwith all existence.<\/p>\n
Science has inflated man's ego. The malady of modern man is
\nthat he is blessed with many luxuries and comforts, nut he goes
\non blindly seeking more and more material gains. In the process,
\nhe has alienated himself from God. Today's civilization has
\nbecome sick and life seems to have lost its flavor. Otherwise,
\nhow can we explain the paradox of opulence alongside mass
\nsuicides in the richest country in the world?<\/p>\n
The missing element in our lives is spirituality. Man's
\nsalvation lies in \"turning back to God.\" God is not a distant
\nbeing. He lives and dwells in each of us. Once a young man said
\nto Guru Sadhu Vaswani: \"God is nowhere.\" Sadhu Vaswani asked him
\nto write this in a piece of paper. Then, just by separating the
\nword \"nowhere\" to two distinct words, Sadhu Vaswani showed the
\nyoung man that \"God is now here!\"<\/p>\n
First, man must grow in the awareness that he is not alone.
\nRepeat to yourself \"I am not alone -- God is with me\" as often as
\npossible in a day, especially when waking up in the morning and
\nalso when retiring to bed at night, this is the timing most
\nsuited for our sub-conscious mind to respond to our calls. With
\nGod by his side, man should treat the trials and tribulations as
\nan inevitable part of life. Hand yourself over in \"childlike\"
\ntrust to God. All the burdens of the universe are ultimately
\nborne by God.<\/p>\n
Second, we must put forth our most sincere and best efforts in
\nwhatever we do, without getting attached to the results. Greet
\nevery experience with the words \"I accept.\" God's mercy is in
\nevery adversity.<\/p>\n
Third, service to humanity is service to God. We must help
\nothers, particularly those in need. The opposite of love is not
\nhate, but apathy. We should do good as much as we can, for as
\nlong as we can and for as many as we can.<\/p>\n
Fourth, we should spend sometime in silence every day and keep
\na daily schedule of \"PQT\" (personal quiet time) in order to check
\nthe mind's vagaries. This should help reduce daily stress and
\nachieve the inner peace needed to realize our true potential.<\/p>\n
Fifth, man can change his destiny simply by changing his
\nmindset. So, adopt a constructive and positive attitude as an
\nintegral part of your lifestyle.<\/p>\n
And sixth, develop a healthy sense of humor. Learn to laugh
\nheartily with others. Good belly laughter is an all round tonic.<\/p>\n
Please let me end this letter with a couple of humorous
\nstories from the revered Dada Vaswani's rich repertoire:<\/p>\n
A hefty American Senator said to a person: \"I'll eat you up
\nand swallow you whole.\" Instead of getting angry, the other
\nperson responded: \"You'll then have more brain in your belly than
\nin your head!\"<\/p>\n
While walking on a narrow pathway, a man told the person
\ncoming in the opposite direction: \"Make way for me.\" The other
\nperson said: \"Well, I was about to say the same thing to you.\"
\nThe first one angrily said: \"I don't make way for fools.\" To
\nthis, the other person responded \"I do,\" and stepped aside!<\/p>\n
D. CHANDRAMOULI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/worldly-wisdom-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }