Happiness and sorrow. Two sides of the same coin
Happiness and sorrow are two sides of the same coin. Whichever side of the coin we choose to look at, it does not change the value of the coin. Similarly, happiness and sorrow are reflections of the mind projected onto the world. The value of life and existence are incalculable and are not affected by our personal happiness or sorrow. Realizing the importance and value of life is like acquiring great knowledge. This knowledge is more important than money. If one knows how to save Rs 500, it becomes easy to save Rs 5000 as more money is earned. Similarly, if one knows how to enjoy life through this limited body and mind, enjoying life through everything we see, hold, and touch will become easy.
To carry the knowledge of the importance of life, one need not be rich. Life looks at everyone the same, whether rich or poor, whether one is in an important post or unemployed. Each individual has an equal chance of being in the moment and enjoying the gift of life. To understand the value and importance of life, experience is important, it does not come through luck but through hard work and sometimes there is suffering.
If we know the value of something we naturally will take great care to preserve it, life is no different. If we consider our life valuable, then we should also not forget to include everyone else as each one thinks the same about his or her life. If we are good in our ways, honest and hardworking, we will not trouble or be a hindrance to others. If we are on a bad track, others will suffer. The happiness we experience at home is a good barometer for how honest and good we are in our workplace. Happiness goes along with honesty and that happiness is reflected everywhere we go as it becomes part of our being.
Some use their position and power to look down upon, ill-treat, underestimate and create tension in the lives of others. This comes from ego and not from the heart. The same ego will rebound within and cause negative feelings which creates a poisonous mind. This mental poison can alter the physiology of the body through the release of chemicals which ultimately result in diseases and physical suffering. The greatest poison for the body is jealousy.
A soft, kind, and happy mind has the opposite effect. It is very relaxing for the body and it promotes good health. If a proper healthy lifestyle is followed with stress on the body or the mind, a human being can live up to 120 years. That is the limit of a human’s life span. Every 20 years, there is a shift in the mind, body, and overall life. This applies to everyone.
During life, humans can become God-like. It depends on their behavior towards others and their mental outlook. Whoever is supportive and helpful to us can be considered to be God in form. What input we put into the world, is the output we get from the world. How we treat others reflects how others treat us in return. This is not just in how we speak to others and interact with them. It starts in the mind. The moment we think ill of others, we start to treat them badly, even if they are not in front of us. So even in the mind, we should not think ill of others.
There is a difference between true knowledge and learning. Learning is like a regurgitation of food we have eaten. There is no transformation. The mind simply serves as the storehouse of information. True knowledge is like the energy that the body assimilates after absorption of food. There is a great transformation. The bridge between true knowledge and what we learn is the environment we live in. In a good environment where people are happy, kind, supportive, and motivate us we can turn what we learn into true knowledge. These three, learning, environment, and true knowledge are like the three lower chakras - Mooladhara, Swadhistana, and Manipura. They are common to all. People should be careful about how they use the energies of these lower chakras. What we learn from the world, the environment we live in, and the inner knowledge we attain through introspection and understanding are the foundationa of spiritual growth. When awareness is beyond these three chakras, there is only happiness and no sorrow.
Blessings to all
Swami Ponnurangam
May 25, 2019
To carry the knowledge of the importance of life, one need not be rich. Life looks at everyone the same, whether rich or poor, whether one is in an important post or unemployed. Each individual has an equal chance of being in the moment and enjoying the gift of life. To understand the value and importance of life, experience is important, it does not come through luck but through hard work and sometimes there is suffering.
If we know the value of something we naturally will take great care to preserve it, life is no different. If we consider our life valuable, then we should also not forget to include everyone else as each one thinks the same about his or her life. If we are good in our ways, honest and hardworking, we will not trouble or be a hindrance to others. If we are on a bad track, others will suffer. The happiness we experience at home is a good barometer for how honest and good we are in our workplace. Happiness goes along with honesty and that happiness is reflected everywhere we go as it becomes part of our being.
Some use their position and power to look down upon, ill-treat, underestimate and create tension in the lives of others. This comes from ego and not from the heart. The same ego will rebound within and cause negative feelings which creates a poisonous mind. This mental poison can alter the physiology of the body through the release of chemicals which ultimately result in diseases and physical suffering. The greatest poison for the body is jealousy.
A soft, kind, and happy mind has the opposite effect. It is very relaxing for the body and it promotes good health. If a proper healthy lifestyle is followed with stress on the body or the mind, a human being can live up to 120 years. That is the limit of a human’s life span. Every 20 years, there is a shift in the mind, body, and overall life. This applies to everyone.
During life, humans can become God-like. It depends on their behavior towards others and their mental outlook. Whoever is supportive and helpful to us can be considered to be God in form. What input we put into the world, is the output we get from the world. How we treat others reflects how others treat us in return. This is not just in how we speak to others and interact with them. It starts in the mind. The moment we think ill of others, we start to treat them badly, even if they are not in front of us. So even in the mind, we should not think ill of others.
There is a difference between true knowledge and learning. Learning is like a regurgitation of food we have eaten. There is no transformation. The mind simply serves as the storehouse of information. True knowledge is like the energy that the body assimilates after absorption of food. There is a great transformation. The bridge between true knowledge and what we learn is the environment we live in. In a good environment where people are happy, kind, supportive, and motivate us we can turn what we learn into true knowledge. These three, learning, environment, and true knowledge are like the three lower chakras - Mooladhara, Swadhistana, and Manipura. They are common to all. People should be careful about how they use the energies of these lower chakras. What we learn from the world, the environment we live in, and the inner knowledge we attain through introspection and understanding are the foundationa of spiritual growth. When awareness is beyond these three chakras, there is only happiness and no sorrow.
Blessings to all
Swami Ponnurangam
May 25, 2019
