One Kind Act A Day Could Work Wonders
Many people today feel hopeless that their lives will improve, either their personal life or the rld around them. The news every day Ows widespread religious, cultural, racialstrife; economic challenges many; and mass migrations of urges. Paramhansa Yogananda lived ought two world wars and a rldwide economic depression. e meditation and yoga teachings he aired were tailored for people going tough challenges very similar to s. Yogananda's life was dedicated not y to helping individuals change emselves, but also to help change the erall consciousness of the planet. ese two are closely related. As ndhiji said, "Be the change that you sh to see in the world." What can we do? How canwechange ourselves? Sometimes it seems impossible. But it's really very simple. As Yogananda taught, when we act in ways that positively affect others, we also begin to change ourselves. Even when we don't have a particular quality or tendency, simply acting in that way will begin to change us. People may feel like hypocrites when they act in a manner they haven'tyet developed inside-but right action, by itself, changes the person. There was once a skilful hunter. He was so efficient at killing birds that he ran out of birds to hunt.When he spied the rare bird, he was so well known inthebird kingdom that they would quickly fly away in terror. Running out of local prey, our hunter travelled far, eventually arriving at a thick jungle. Hoping to find victims that would not recognise him, he went deep into the jungle. Finally he reached pond where all varieties of birds were enjoying the water and food. They were especially numerous around a sadhu who was bathing in the pond, lovingly feeding them. The birds were landing on the sadhu's arms, hands and head, enjoying both the food and the love that he shared with them. Our hunter, being very clever, hid until the sadhu left. Then disguising himself as the sadhu, he waded into the water, hiding his gun under his fake sadhu robes. As the birds began landing on him, happily chirping and looking trustingly into his eyes, the hunter prepared to spring his trap. But as he looked back into the soft eyes of the birds, something in him began to change. His previously cold heart was being changed by the loving trust he saw. He discovered that it was far more enjoyable to return love and affection to thcreatures, rather thankilling them.The hunter became transformed ia kind, loving friend to all creaturesfrom the ruthless killer he had been. Similarly, our generous actions, finspringingfrom selfish motives or fronthe desire to change, can develop withus the very traits we are expressing outwardly. Swami Kriyananda, a direct discipof Paramhansa Yogananda, advised hstudents to"... daily perform at leastspecific, conscious, personally selecteact of service to our fellow beings." Begin that very simple practice no You don't have to look far for people w need help. You’ll see how it can change yourself and those around you. Manysmall ripples of good actions can becoa wave of change. It begins with each of us.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Nayaswami Devarshi 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: Nayaswami Devarshi Speaking Tree, Times of India
One Kind Act A Day Could Work Wonders
Many people today feel hopeless that their lives will improve, either their personal life or the rld around them. The news every day Ows widespread religious, cultural, racialstrife; economic challenges many; and mass migrations of urges. Paramhansa Yogananda lived ought two world wars and a rldwide economic depression. e meditation and yoga teachings he aired were tailored for people going tough challenges very similar to s. Yogananda's life was dedicated not y to helping individuals change emselves, but also to help change the erall consciousness of the planet. ese two are closely related. As ndhiji said, "Be the change that you sh to see in the world." What can we do? How canwechange ourselves? Sometimes it seems impossible. But it's really very simple. As Yogananda taught, when we act in ways that positively affect others, we also begin to change ourselves. Even when we don't have a particular quality or tendency, simply acting in that way will begin to change us. People may feel like hypocrites when they act in a manner they haven'tyet developed inside-but right action, by itself, changes the person. There was once a skilful hunter. He was so efficient at killing birds that he ran out of birds to hunt.When he spied the rare bird, he was so well known inthebird kingdom that they would quickly fly away in terror. Running out of local prey, our hunter travelled far, eventually arriving at a thick jungle. Hoping to find victims that would not recognise him, he went deep into the jungle. Finally he reached pond where all varieties of birds were enjoying the water and food. They were especially numerous around a sadhu who was bathing in the pond, lovingly feeding them. The birds were landing on the sadhu's arms, hands and head, enjoying both the food and the love that he shared with them. Our hunter, being very clever, hid until the sadhu left. Then disguising himself as the sadhu, he waded into the water, hiding his gun under his fake sadhu robes. As the birds began landing on him, happily chirping and looking trustingly into his eyes, the hunter prepared to spring his trap. But as he looked back into the soft eyes of the birds, something in him began to change. His previously cold heart was being changed by the loving trust he saw. He discovered that it was far more enjoyable to return love and affection to thcreatures, rather thankilling them.The hunter became transformed ia kind, loving friend to all creaturesfrom the ruthless killer he had been. Similarly, our generous actions, finspringingfrom selfish motives or fronthe desire to change, can develop withus the very traits we are expressing outwardly. Swami Kriyananda, a direct discipof Paramhansa Yogananda, advised hstudents to"... daily perform at leastspecific, conscious, personally selecteact of service to our fellow beings." Begin that very simple practice no You don't have to look far for people w need help. You’ll see how it can change yourself and those around you. Manysmall ripples of good actions can becoa wave of change. It begins with each of us.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Nayaswami Devarshi 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: Nayaswami Devarshi Speaking Tree, Times of India