Difficulties as Acts Of Divine Kindness
Kindness is defined as the ability to be considerate towards one's enemies. A question that haunts people is, "Why should there be so much unkindness in life, in the world?" The only way to erase unkindness is to be kind. We should not lose this eraser. How to deal with difficulties? Understand that life is not going to be according to our likes and dislikes. The rise and the ebb of sea waves are not determined by the wishes of those using its waters. The sun is not going to rise or set in ways desired by those affected by light and darkness. Wisdom is choosing to swim or surf when the waves are favourable, in working and resting in harmony with the day-night cycle. The waves are not cruel or unkind to the surfer or swimmer. In fact, the higher the waves, the greater is the surfer's joy, but more perilous to a swimmer. Crea- tures of the night prowl, prey, and mate in darkness when other animals slumber. Nature by itself is neither kind nor cruel. We can look upon difficulties as nature's acts of kindness In the face of difficulties we develop survival skills that would otherwise lie dormant, much as the sweat and fatigue of weight training lead to developing tough muscles. In fact, life would be terribly dull if everything went according to a pre-written script. Most negative feelings we associate with difficulties are of our own making. We perceive a situation as being difficult, it shows up as difficult. A hunter associates a sense of adventure in going into the forest and en countering dangerous animals. Hunting appears and appeals to him as a fun activity. Once a king had a son who seemed mentally imbalanced. He tried to help him grow worthy of his future role, but the young man only went from bad to worse. One day he fancied himself to be a hen. He sat under a table, and took his clothes off. When asked to come out, he said, "I am a hen". A saint who offered to cure the prince of his delusion took of his clothes and joined the Prince under the table. The prince said, "I am a hen. Don't sir next to me". The saint replied I am also a hen, but mad people out there don't realise that we are hens". He built a rapport with the prince. Slowly the saint put on his clothes, and asked him to do likewise. He convinced him that they were wise hens and that they should show their wisdom to the mad people out there. The prince followed the saint. The saint took his seat at the dining table and made the prince eat, saying they had to prove that hens could do everything that human beings could. Slowly, step-by-step, the saint brought the prince back to normalcy. Nature teaches us in similar ways, in and through difficul ties, through experiences that appear unwelcome, and cures us of our arrogance and vanity. Kindness helps us pass through difficulties. How do we get rid of problems? Don't view problems negatively. Look upon them as training grounds in vital skills, and enjoy them even as you learn from them. When you face a problem, turn your attention to solutions. Be the source of a solution to the problem rather than become its victim.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA Speaking Tree,Times of India
Difficulties as Acts Of Divine Kindness
Kindness is defined as the ability to be considerate towards one's enemies. A question that haunts people is, "Why should there be so much unkindness in life, in the world?" The only way to erase unkindness is to be kind. We should not lose this eraser. How to deal with difficulties? Understand that life is not going to be according to our likes and dislikes. The rise and the ebb of sea waves are not determined by the wishes of those using its waters. The sun is not going to rise or set in ways desired by those affected by light and darkness. Wisdom is choosing to swim or surf when the waves are favourable, in working and resting in harmony with the day-night cycle. The waves are not cruel or unkind to the surfer or swimmer. In fact, the higher the waves, the greater is the surfer's joy, but more perilous to a swimmer. Crea- tures of the night prowl, prey, and mate in darkness when other animals slumber. Nature by itself is neither kind nor cruel. We can look upon difficulties as nature's acts of kindness In the face of difficulties we develop survival skills that would otherwise lie dormant, much as the sweat and fatigue of weight training lead to developing tough muscles. In fact, life would be terribly dull if everything went according to a pre-written script. Most negative feelings we associate with difficulties are of our own making. We perceive a situation as being difficult, it shows up as difficult. A hunter associates a sense of adventure in going into the forest and en countering dangerous animals. Hunting appears and appeals to him as a fun activity. Once a king had a son who seemed mentally imbalanced. He tried to help him grow worthy of his future role, but the young man only went from bad to worse. One day he fancied himself to be a hen. He sat under a table, and took his clothes off. When asked to come out, he said, "I am a hen". A saint who offered to cure the prince of his delusion took of his clothes and joined the Prince under the table. The prince said, "I am a hen. Don't sir next to me". The saint replied I am also a hen, but mad people out there don't realise that we are hens". He built a rapport with the prince. Slowly the saint put on his clothes, and asked him to do likewise. He convinced him that they were wise hens and that they should show their wisdom to the mad people out there. The prince followed the saint. The saint took his seat at the dining table and made the prince eat, saying they had to prove that hens could do everything that human beings could. Slowly, step-by-step, the saint brought the prince back to normalcy. Nature teaches us in similar ways, in and through difficul ties, through experiences that appear unwelcome, and cures us of our arrogance and vanity. Kindness helps us pass through difficulties. How do we get rid of problems? Don't view problems negatively. Look upon them as training grounds in vital skills, and enjoy them even as you learn from them. When you face a problem, turn your attention to solutions. Be the source of a solution to the problem rather than become its victim.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: SWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA Speaking Tree,Times of India