|
It was indeed rightly noted that
some persons sigh when they thank God. This implies that they utter such
words of thanks, as if it were a duty to be got over with, while deep within
they actually harbour resentments on what they perceive as unfair deals
meted out to them in life. In fact, this is a misery-oriented approach,
generating self-pity, querulousness and cynicism, which merely serve to ward
off blessings and favours, which would otherwise have come one's way.
On the contrary, an approach marked by acceptance and
genuine gratitude for all blessings received would sensitise the aspirant to
the beauty and positive aspects in things and persons around. The attendant
healthful vibrations would obtain for him right developments form all over.
Magnanimity apart, this, therefore, is also sound common sense, where one
becomes his own best ally in the pursuit of chosen objectives in life. Alas,
this simple and precious common sense, in actual practice, is not very
common!
Broadness in outlook and freedom from
self-centredness pre-suppose the shedding of and dropping of ego, enabling
the aspirant to "love almost everything and everybody" (to use the
expression of Normal Vincent Peale). One thus revels in "all things bright and
beautiful, all creatures great and small", in the conviction that :God's in
His heaven, All's right with the world", Providing also for the
imperfections, sinful and evil, which his own evolved self learns naturally
to bypass and avoid.
This sublime state is attained by first developing
excellent physical and mental health. This harmonious body-mind
co-ordination would catapult one to strive for high ideals of life and
living, whereby he would also be sensitised to this multifaceted world of
many occurrences, Tragedies, imponderables and vicissitudes-- a
contemplation which would verily set him free of his own egoism,
self-centredness and feelings of self-justification and self-glorification.
In the above regard, the science of yoga, with
the injunction of Patanjali to practise all postures (asana) with not only
stable comfort (stirasukham) but also dwelling on the vastness of the
infinite, would, doubtless, set in motion the needed psychosomatic impacts
and impressions. This would obtain for the aspirant not merely excellent
physical health but also broadness and naturalness in outlook. He would then
always feel joyful for all blessings received, thanking God not with a sigh
but from the depths of his heart. |
