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August 22 - September 5, 2020
The biggest key to accomplishment, happiness and fulfilment is mastery over our emotions.
The reason behind Dhoni's success
The secret, then, is not to try harder but smarter, by disengaging the emotional brakes of harmful attitudes that reside within.
The principle is simple—we learn to become better persons by learning to harbour better thoughts.
We have seen how learning to instal divine mindsets in our psyche is one of the most beneficial pursuits we can undertake in life. It confers upon us accomplishment, happiness and fulfilment.
When we repeatedly bring certain types of feelings to our mind, they develop into an attitude. And that attitude, when it hardens and becomes natural to our personality, develops into a mindset.
There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.
Hence, amongst the 8.4 million species of life, the opportunity to realize God is available exclusively to humans.
‘The biggest loss, a colossal misfortune, the darkest illusion and the grossest ignorance is that moment in life which is not used wisely in loving remembrance of Lord Krishna.’
‘O humans! You have received this rare birth and are wasting it in sensual gratification. It is like giving away nectar and taking poison in return. How can you be considered intelligent when you are exchanging paras (philosopher’s stone) for broken pieces of glass? Consequently, you will keep rotating within the 8.4 million species of life. And even though you are the eternal soul, you will remain in material bondage, tied to the three guṇas and the stockpile of your past karmas.’
We always expect behaviour that is kind, just and honest from others. These are godly virtues, and since we are little children of God, we all instinctively love these virtues. We all seek to overcome our flaws and develop divine qualities.
The above verses from the Vedic scriptures state that God is an ocean of infinite happiness.
Only when we purify our mind do we get the happiness that is truly satisfying. The happiness we are searching for is not on the outside; rather, it is within us and is accessed through purity.
Thus, purity of intention is the desire to please God with our every thought, word and deed.
Conversely, on acting with pure intention, we get divine bliss from within, and our feeling tells us, ‘I am experiencing inner joy.’
In conclusion, what stresses us is not hard work but attachment to the results.
Once we understand the cause of stress, the remedy is simple—give up attachment to the outcome.
Lord Krishna tells Arjun: ‘You have a right to perform your work, but you are not entitled to the fruits.’ Relish your work and offer its fruits to God.
Thus, wisdom demands that having put in our best, we should be content with whatever results we get.
Thus, the ultimate goal of the yogic system is to connect with God.
‘The union of the individual consciousness with the Supreme Consciousness is yog.’ This linking takes place when the mind is absorbed in loving remembrance of God.
Most importantly, even while performing our worldly tasks, we move towards the goal of God-realisation.
We all realise that happiness is not a function of the number of luxury goods we possess; it hinges upon the peace and harmony within our mind.
‘God is our eternal Father, and we are His children.’ But we have forgotten our loving relationship with Him and are suffering in the material ocean since endless lifetimes. The way to connect with God is by dispelling this ignorance with the light of knowledge.
Once we cultivate good habits, resisting unwanted urges becomes a simple routine.
