The goal of a spiritually awakened life is not to remove ourselves from the world but rather to function effectively in it with clarified awareness and focused intention. The heavenly realm that many yearn for is, as the enlightened sages have taught, right here. Right where we are, the reality of God is. The purpose of spiritual practice is to purify the body and mind so that the natural radiance of our essential nature is revealed and we can easily live balanced, constructive, and joyful lives. The first thing we can do to support joyful, purposeful living is to affirm this fundamental truth of our existence. Further study and meditation practice will confirm and deepen this initial understanding.
When the mind is peaceful, the inner light of awareness shines through. Spiritual practice is not just the time we spend sitting in meditation or study of metaphysical principles but it is the choices we make every day. Being conscious of those choices, and their potential impact on the body, the mind, and relationships with others is essential. A useful goal is to strive to be peaceful by cultivating mental and emotional calmness and balance.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra offers a helpful practice for cultivating a peaceful mind as we engage with others. Verse 1.33 recommends: The mind is purified by cultivating thoughts and feelings of loving-kindness for those who are happy, compassion for those who are experiencing suffering, joy for those who are experiencing well-being, and dispassion for those who are engaged in error. This practice encourages us to adopt responses that would be natural to an enlightened individual. Such responses are natural to every person when they are spiritually awake; they arise from a peaceful mind and contribute to peace as well. Lower drives and tendencies that are rooted in the ego prompt thoughts and actions that disturb our peace, reinforce the sense of separate existence, and negatively impact our relationships with others.
An example of an unenlightened reaction to the happiness or success of others is jealousy. An ego-driven response asks: “Why them? Why not me?” Instead of reacting that way, this practice invites us to share in the happiness of others, rejoicing in it through offering our own thoughts of loving-kindness and wishes for everyone’s well-being. If others are experiencing suffering in some way, instead of criticizing, pitying, or avoiding them, we can wish them well by offering compassion and unconditional positive regard. If we encounter something that we know is not useful, instead of reacting negatively to what we see and becoming overly involved, we can remain centered and respond appropriately when necessary.
When we cultivate attitudes and responses that bring peace of mind and emotional stability, our essential nature can shine through. We then truly express the Self.
Think About It: Individuals do not exist independently from one another, but rather rely on this interconnectedness and interdependence for their very survival. Compassion refers to a deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it... a quality of mind that embraces the responsibility to care for and act for the benefit of others. An important basis for the cultivation of compassion is the simple and profound insight that we, as individuals, do not exist independently from one another, but rather rely on this interconnectedness and interdependence for our very survival. [from: Investigating the Behavioral and Neural Mechanisms of Compassion Training in Medical School and Psychology Students.
—Philippe Goldin, Ph. D. —posted at compassion.stanford.edu
Be inspired: Discard the false belief that there is a separation between spiritual and material life. In everything you do, express your limitless soul qualities. – Paramahansa Yogananda
No comments:
Post a Comment