Living Wisely Living Well | With Asha Nayaswami

If someone impugns you or your honor (in the sense of attacking your “good name” or reputation) ignore him. If that isn’t possible, seek a graceful, even a humorous way out—like the American in France who once met a Frenchman’s challenge to a duel by selecting, for weapons, “apple pie at ten paces.” After all, what is that false “honor” but an affirmation of ego: the root cause of all suffering?! Suffice it if you, following your own conscience, act honorably. People’s unflattering opinions of you are not your problem, but theirs.

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Think of time as a radiation outward from your own center. Past and future move not only directionally like a river: they also revolve around their center in the changeless NOW.

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If someone challenges something you are doing that seems to you right and good, meet that challenge vigorously. Try never to hurt anyone, however; be always calm in your heart. Remember, nothing and no one can touch who you really are, in your inner Self.

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Live in the present moment: Enjoy it; learn from it. As the years pass, you’ll not only develop golden memories, but will find it easier to develop smriti (divine memory), the classic definition of enlightenment.

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In communicating with others, don’t speak only from your intellect: speak from your heart. Many problems would be resolved if people would learn the right balance between head and heart. The need to balance these two is the psychological reason for the attraction between the sexes.

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Concentrate on your present commitments; don’t dwell regretfully on past failures. Your life will keep on improving if, at this very moment, you do your very best.

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Say only what you mean. In your most casual speech be sincere, and you’ll find others listening to you instead of gazing off in furtive search of a clock.

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For clarity, edit at least mentally what you say or write—always placing emphasis on simplicity, directness, and rhythm. Convoluted sentences merely bewilder the mind. Clarity requires special attention: Try to think with others. Take into account also their varied levels of understanding.

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Get rid of likes and dislikes. They only agitate the mind, and prevent one from seeing things as they really are. Instead, practice inner contentment (santosha, in Sanskrit).

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The secret of earthly happiness is to flow gracefully with change. Allow things freely to come and go. All things pass: people, events, time—life itself. Learn to accept every fresh experience joyfully.

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