Day: April 25, 2020

Swamiji says …

“How we love to hear people around us agree with what we say and do! It appears that our ears our trained to hear the word ‘Yes’ in particular. ‘Words’ that agree with, accept and approve of what we say and do. We experience bliss when others laud our intelligence in hushed voices; praise us for our ingenuity; heap words of appreciation on our brilliant brainchild product; agree with our views and approve of our proposals and perceptions – even though they could silently be doubting or questioning a few things being said or done by us. They dare not dispute us in any way – more out of fear – than respect or love.”

“Our listening agents – our ears – have a field day on hearing these gushing voices and ‘yeses’; bask in the glory of our recognition – hugging with delight every compliment that is audible to them – straining to ensure that every praiseworthy word is absorbed by them and it is only after that do they settle down complacently, smirking mockingly at the other sense organs, as though teasing them – ‘Oh! How wonderful to hear what I just heard! You missed on all the fun !“

“How pleasing the words – ‘Yes, yes!’ ‘What you are saying is absolutely right!’ ‘I agree with you!’ ‘Yes that’s the right way!’ ‘That is perfect!’ – sound to our ears and to us and we conveniently forget for a moment that mostly – ‘Insaan sabki haan mein haan milata rehta hai!’ We must learn to say, ‘No. I don’t agree with what you are saying or doing !’ Imagine the state of your ears now ! They would cringe in shock on hearing words that are disliked the most by them… No!”

“In all honesty – are we always in agreement with what is said by others? Are we always in concurrence with their thoughts? Certainly not. ‘Agar koi baat theek nahi lag rahi hai, toh uss insaan ko toko, usko roko …’
“There are innumerable times when we don’t agree with the other person’s point of view. It could be anyone. It could be our parents, siblings, husband, wife, children, friends, or colleagues. We should, at times, go beyond, and above, the relationship that we share with the other person; let go the emotional bond of love and sympathy that connects us with them, and make them see things in the correct perspective by checking them and telling them where they have erred and how they could overcome this particular weakness at the earliest.”

“Blind love can never be of any good for anyone. On the other hand, it can only harm the other person. It becomes our sacrosanct duty to stop anyone we know, love and care for – to make them aware of the precarious situation in which they could find themselves if they did not mend their ways immediately…’Hummey unke hitt ke liye, unhe rokna chahiye…’ Mothers and fathers blinded by love for their child are very often unable to muster the courage needed to say…’No! What you are doing and saying is wrong!’ The child gets used to having his own way, and unless he is checked and controlled at the right time, by his parents, the pampered child might fail to see the difference between right and wrong and shortly things could get out of control.”

“’Agar woh galti kar raha hai – kuch galat keh raha hai, toh ussey ussi samay par toko, nahi toh woh galti par galti karte jaega. Bahut baar, ma aur pita apne bachchon ko rokte nahin hain. Aise toh unki galat aadat badhti jaegi!’ – Similarly, children too should be able to point out – respectfully and patiently – the shortcomings and weakness that they detect in their parents, so that they too realize that they have to become less rigid and a change in their mindset is needed with changing times.”

“We must dare to disagree with others if their views, personal or professional, are causing them harm and are encouraging them in forming habits which are unhealthy and undesirable; or are detrimental to society. It is essential to disagree, if it benefits and helps them in improving their wayward lifestyle, brings flexibility in their otherwise rigid way of thinking, and changes them into tolerant individuals who are willing to listen to what others,too, have to say to them.”

“Why do we then nod our heads in agreement and submission – subduing the voice within us – which tries to draw our attention to that which is not right in the other person – the flawed words used by him and his unethical behavior and actions ? ‘Woh insaan apni agyaanta mein kuch bhi kehta jaata hai aur karta jaata hai , jab tak ussey koi tokega ya rokega nahi!’ We refrain from saying anything to him, as our love or respect for him, which has become our weakness, prevents us from doing so and we continue to accept him the way he is, fearful that we may hurt him otherwise.The ancient scriptures, too, have clearly stated the relevance of having a strong, independent mind – a mind that is fearless and does not get unduly worried at stating expressly, that he begged to differ from others, as what was being said or done, by the other person, was wrong and unacceptable to him, and the other person had to be made aware of his follies and absurd behaviour.”

“What should be done if a youngster in today’s grim scenario insists on partying and parlaying, and tries to convince his friend that they should go out! What should be the response of his friend? Should he meekly follow this irresponsible person’s behaviour? Or should he try his level best to stop him from stepping out unnecessarily and putting his, as well as the lives of others, at peril. He could remind his friend – ‘Wouldn’t praying be better than partying? – and transform him for ever.”