Close your eyes and relax excluding all caring thoughts from your mind. When you are totally in a relaxed state, then slowly bring in your mind what do you want from life? What are your dreams and desires in life? For few minutes very pleasant ideas shall sail in your mind: what kind of a job status you wish for yourself or a life partner; what car do you want to ride in and where do you want to spend your vacations. Slowly, soon after that the hazards which may be blocking your goals shall start peeping in. A domineering boss, a competitive colleague, lack of economic resources, etc. and you may start wishing to eliminate all those blocking your way to your dream life. The unpleasant incidences shall creep in, the people who think ill of you and whom you cannot ignore or forgive, people who do not value your dreams, even if it were your parent, spouse, any close member of your family or a friend, they were the people who did not help you out; they were not with you in moment of need: a teacher who does not grade you well; a boss who is more favorable to your colleague; a father who supports other sibling or a beloved who has set too high expectations. Your breathing rate is quickened, your face has started flushing, your heart is pounding, your stomach is churning and whole body is in tense and turgid muscular state. You are awakened in an intense emotional state, ready to do anything to remove the blocks to achieve your personal goals. So far you may have considered yourself �friendly�, most congenial and accommodative person, but now you can no more �forget� and �forgive��.Why?
The demon of your �self� has been aroused or angel has
gone to take a nap?
Now let us examine another situation. A person very close to you is in quite distress; he/she needs help from you. You may have to sacrifice something valuable, time, money or another important resource to help him/her out. Just imagine his/her call for help; �You� �none other�.you are dumbfounded. It seems that a hundred arrows have taken you unguarded. There is only one sensation and that is pain, and your only thought: �Why Me?� In a moment hundred demons spring up and start creeping towards you�you are in danger of personal loss�and immediately you seek refuge in �Not Me� to save your soul from burden. Few moments ago you were a �friend� an agreeably benevolent person. What are you now?
Most of us hold ourselves in virtues of high esteem: we are truthful, extremely devoted and pious, empathetic and benevolent, outstanding selfless leaders of community, honestly dedicated to share and impart knowledge, accomplished masters of some art, skill or vocation, provided be the favorable conditions, we shall transform this world into the most agreeable place to live. Are these mere self assumptions, personal grimace to cover up, or indeed we are angelic but sometimes devil take over us? |
