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Resilience literally refers to
the quality of any substance to regain its original form after compression.
In its broader sense, this word connotes, when applied to persons, the
capacity to be persistent in pursuit of one's objective, even when
confronted by odds and discouragement. This 'never say die' approach is
conceived by Rudyard Kipling in his poem, IF, through his reference to the
capacity to "watch the things you gave your life to, broken,/And stoop and
build 'em up with worn out tools".
This virtue "to labour and to
wait" (to use the expression of HW Longfellow), is elaborated further in the
poem Don't Quit (author unknown). This poem exhorts the aspirant that in
times of helplessness and hopelessness, the approach should be, "rest. if
you must -- but don't you quit". Extolling the capacity of resolute
determination, the author urges, Don't give up, though the pace seems slow -
/You might succeed with another blow, and reminds, And you never can tell
how close you are,/It may be near when it seems afar. The parting advice is
also highly powerful - So stick to the fight when you are hardest hit -
/It's when things seem worst, that you mustn't quit.
Toughness within, as
manifested various such virtues, obtains fulfillments thus, when such
abiding persistence and eagerness to persevere are combined with equanimity
and serenity within. This is equilibrium, referred (2, 48) as samatvam by
Bhagawad Gita, which also declares this as Yoga. This also is the ability to
smile "when everything goes dead wrong", as amplified by Ella Wheeler
Wilcox
in the poem, Worthwhile. This doubtless, also includes the capacity to be
impervious to imperfections and absurdities which invariably abound in this
sad, mad, bad world of men and matter. This enlightened indifference also
constitutes the core of Ayn Rand's philosophy and is also echoed in the
concept of upekshana of patanjali's yoga Sutras (1,33).
One who is resilient is
indeed tough within, the converse of which is also true. The different
traits of such an evolved being, referred to by Bhagawad Gita as
stitaprajna, are also elaborated in the epic (2-54 to 58; 2-68 to 71).
Radiating warmth, love and cheer all over, wielding an iron hand within a
velvet glove, he possesses that power within, which bounces back,
effortlessly as if, Inflictions and distractions from without. Truly, these
are the manifestations in actual practice, of the power of toughness and
resilience, within. |
