January 16, 2007
Jai Ma!
I've finally found time to figure out how to write this blog! My plan is to post new messages each week, so be sure to check back next week and see what is new.
After a very busy Christmas vacation, it is wonderful to be getting back to "normal life" again, with time to practice, to be with Ma, and to THINK once again.
Our thoughts determine so much about the tone and quality of our lives. Whenever I get super-busy getting things done in the world, I feel like I sort of "lose myself", like I can't hear my own thoughts. Swami Vivekananda said that our thoughts make us what we are. He believed that if we keep thinking "I'm weak, I'm weak...", we will indeed be weak, but if we keep thinking "I'm strong; my real Self is the Atman, ever free." we will experience strength and freedom. Many eastern as well as western philosophers have agreed with Swami Vivekananda, including William James, who said, "As you think, so shall you be."
We all have set phrases that we repeat to ourselves all the time- sort of like mantras. The meaning of 'mantra' is actually "mind tool", and these phrases that we tell ourselves can be tools for the mind to use to achieve clarity and strength. Think about your mind- what are your "mind tools", your set phrases that you tell yourself all the time? Sometimes we allow ourselves to use negative "mind tools", almost without realizing what we're doing. We tell ourselves "This isn't going to work.", or "I'm so stupid." without even really noticing that we repeatedly give ourselves these negative messages. Since we are now at the beginning of a new year, this is a perfect ime for us to decide to use positive "mind tools" with awareness, and banish the negative messages. Also, last Sunday was Makar Sankranth, an astrological movement that occurs each year on January 14th, and marks the entry into the most auspicious half of the year, the "day of the devas(gods)". What a perfect time to choose new, more healthy ways of thinking and being!
Among my favorite "mind tools" are: "Just hold on to Ma.", "If other people can do this, then certainly I can too!", and "Things will get better." Here are some more favorites:
"Be the still point in a turning world." (from T.S. Elliot)
"There is a solution."
"If I'm facing the right direction, all I have to do is keep walking."
"There is a Plan- I'm being lead."
"Everyone is doing the best they can."
Corny as it may sound, I got through graduate school with the mantra "Inch by inch, life is a cynch. Yard by yard, it's very hard."!
Do any of these appeal to you? Can you think of some of your own? Like our spiritual mantras, these "mind tools" can change our lives. I'm going to try to focus on my positive ones and banish my negative ones in 2007!
Sargam
Jai Ma!
I've finally found time to figure out how to write this blog! My plan is to post new messages each week, so be sure to check back next week and see what is new.
After a very busy Christmas vacation, it is wonderful to be getting back to "normal life" again, with time to practice, to be with Ma, and to THINK once again.
Our thoughts determine so much about the tone and quality of our lives. Whenever I get super-busy getting things done in the world, I feel like I sort of "lose myself", like I can't hear my own thoughts. Swami Vivekananda said that our thoughts make us what we are. He believed that if we keep thinking "I'm weak, I'm weak...", we will indeed be weak, but if we keep thinking "I'm strong; my real Self is the Atman, ever free." we will experience strength and freedom. Many eastern as well as western philosophers have agreed with Swami Vivekananda, including William James, who said, "As you think, so shall you be."
We all have set phrases that we repeat to ourselves all the time- sort of like mantras. The meaning of 'mantra' is actually "mind tool", and these phrases that we tell ourselves can be tools for the mind to use to achieve clarity and strength. Think about your mind- what are your "mind tools", your set phrases that you tell yourself all the time? Sometimes we allow ourselves to use negative "mind tools", almost without realizing what we're doing. We tell ourselves "This isn't going to work.", or "I'm so stupid." without even really noticing that we repeatedly give ourselves these negative messages. Since we are now at the beginning of a new year, this is a perfect ime for us to decide to use positive "mind tools" with awareness, and banish the negative messages. Also, last Sunday was Makar Sankranth, an astrological movement that occurs each year on January 14th, and marks the entry into the most auspicious half of the year, the "day of the devas(gods)". What a perfect time to choose new, more healthy ways of thinking and being!
Among my favorite "mind tools" are: "Just hold on to Ma.", "If other people can do this, then certainly I can too!", and "Things will get better." Here are some more favorites:
"Be the still point in a turning world." (from T.S. Elliot)
"There is a solution."
"If I'm facing the right direction, all I have to do is keep walking."
"There is a Plan- I'm being lead."
"Everyone is doing the best they can."
Corny as it may sound, I got through graduate school with the mantra "Inch by inch, life is a cynch. Yard by yard, it's very hard."!
Do any of these appeal to you? Can you think of some of your own? Like our spiritual mantras, these "mind tools" can change our lives. I'm going to try to focus on my positive ones and banish my negative ones in 2007!
Sargam
posted by Suman and Sargam Shah @ 3:53 PM
3 Comments:
At 6:00 PM,
Anonymous said…
yes indeed ... it is something to think about
At 5:54 PM,
Ellen said…
Sargam:
What beautiful sayings! I'll try to keep the "inch by inch" one in mind as I slog through the difficult times of my life.
I heard about Suman's stroke today, and I want you to know that I'm trying to send good healing thoughts your way.
And are you sure you want to make the big step and retire? There's so much you contribute to LangPro. I will really really miss you, both professionally and personally.
I can't find your telephone number, so I'm responding to your lovely blog.
love, Ellen
At 3:50 AM,
Anonymous said…
You write very well.
Post a Comment
<< Home