Daily dharma

[Guest guest]

OM fellow travellers

 

This morning I went for an ultrasound. (Nothing serious). The

procedure takes about 1/2 hour so there was plenty of time for

the operator and myself to chat.

 

I commented that it must take quite a bit of training to give an

ultrasound. She replied that the amount of training was relative.

More required from some types of ultrasound, less for others.

Then she said that if she could learn to do take an ultrasound

anyone could.

 

I thought that this sounded a bit too self-effacing and lacking in

confidence, so I replied that my approach to things is that if

anyone else can do something, I can too. And, if no one has

done 'it' yet, I might be the first. She said that was a very positive

approach.

 

Then I started thinking about her comment about the relativity

aspect of the training. Perhaps, positive thinking is relative as

well. The person giving me the ultrasound may need to have the

self-effacing attitude reflected in her comment, 'If I can do it,

anyone can' ,in order for her to accomplish the purposes for

which she was embodied on earth. And perhaps I need a

different approach to positive thinking as exemplified by my

thought, 'I can do anything anyone else can do and perhaps

more', in order to carry out the purpose for which I was embodied

on earth.

 

We know from many scriptures and from our own experience

that ego is a hindrance to Self-Realization and that the meek

shall inherit the earth. But having the confidence to venture into

the unknown is not necessarily egoism. And having the humility

to not become overly engaged in the affairs of world is not

necessary negative thinking.

 

Perhaps both the person giving the ultrasound and myself were

each practicing positive thinking within the context of our own

Karma even thought the expressions of that positive thinking

seemed, at first, to be mutually exclusive. Here is another

example of why we should not to be too quick to judge the

actions and beliefs of others.

 

This example also shows that opportunities for sadhana and

self-inquiry exist in every situation that we encounter in life.

 

One of my favourite quotes from Swami Sivananda:

"Reform yourself. Let the rest of the world reform itself."

 

OM Namah Sivaya

 

Omprem

[Guest guest]

Nameste OmpremJi

 

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I believe that learing

is not just confined in a class room or the insititution. If we care

enough to be observant and having the willingliness to learn,

knowledge will gravitate to us naturally.

 

I hope there is nothing serious and your ultrasound result is okay.

 

"She replied that the amount of training was relative. More

required

from some types of ultrasound, less for others. Then she said that if

she could learn to do take an ultrasound anyone could."

 

As usual im trying to deciper her answers from a medical personnel

point of view. What she says is right. There are different types of

ultrasound. Some invasion whilst others are just a simple non

invasive. Its not just the number of training that is required, but

more of the number of hours performing it. Its like theory versus

practical. It's the practical that eventually gives us the

confidence

and the courage.

 

The same principal can be applied to Sadhana. Sadhana is applying

our theory into practice ( please correct me if im wrong ). No point

of having so many theory but we are not able to apply them into

practice.

 

"But having the confidence to venture into the unknown is not

necessarily egoism. And having the humility to not become overly

engaged in the affairs of world is not necessary negative

thinking"

 

I agree with you wholeheartedly on this.

 

I have a story to share, and why I wanted to share this story because

it have made a great impact in my life.

 

It was a track and field event. In college, and I was just a

supporter to a group of friends who are fantastic runners. It was a

400 meters X 4 relay. On that day, one of the runners was injured .

They were looking for replacement, but found no one. Then the leader

of the team look at me and remarked "Nora you got to take

over". I

resisted their attempt to persuade me . I have never ran in a track

and field event before especially the 400 meters. But they keep on

telling me " just say to yourself you can do it" over and

over again.

And I decided to do it, not because I have the courage but because I

don't want to let the whole team down. They say "didn't

matter if you

come in last. Most important is to complete the race". I was the

third runner, as soon as the second runner, place the baton on my

hand, my head keep on saying `you can do it, you can do it".

And I

really did it. I completed the 400 meters, and without me realizing

it, I managed to change the position from third placing to second. At

the end of the race, I just sat down on the field and asked myself

"

how did I do it "

 

So everytime when I feel down and have this feeling of hopelessness,

I remember that significant moment in my life, when I am able to

accomplish something I never thought I could.