Living Wisely Living Well | With Asha Nayaswami

In writing, try as much as possible to avoid repeating too closely even such essential words as and, of, the, and a. Interchange these last two from time to time. Try to avoid too close a juxtaposition of words that end similarly—for example, words ending in “-ly,” “-ity,” or “-tion.” If you do repeat similar sounds, do so deliberately, for effect. Remember, of course, that every rule can be broken sometimes, depending on the kind of interest you want to awaken. Even speed readers, however, will prefer a flow that is enhanced by right word-sequences.

To inject uplifting vibrations into whatever you write, try to perfect the word-sequences. These will “work” best if they follow the natural flow of thought. Read each sentence over and over carefully, to ensure the achievement of this flow. Re-position words, phrases, and clauses as necessary for increasing clarity. For instance, in an earlier version of a sentence for July 25 in this book I wrote, “Isn’t it in your interest to offer him your sincere friendship in return?” I changed it to read: “It will be more in your interest to offer him, instead, your sincere friendship.” This change places the most important words, “sincere friendship,” at the end, making those words linger on in memory. When you do this work for your readers, they will benefit more greatly from what you have to offer them.

When others project disharmony toward you, send them in return, from your heart, rays of kindness and harmony. The more consciously you send those thoughts out in blessing, the more others will change. In time they, too, will project only harmony.

Why is there so much violence in the world? Surely it is because people are not satisfied with themselves! Today’s terrorists imagine a world remade in their own image. Should they ever succeed, however, in killing off everyone who falls short of that image, they’d only end up butchering one another! Ultimately, the only way to establish peace on earth is for people everywhere to be peaceful first in themselves.

Meet anger, when possible, with silence, respect, and good will. Don’t let anyone’s anger shake you from that inner resolve. Peace is the way to avoid all emotional whirlpools. Only by first being inwardly peaceful can your influence for good spread, and bring peace to all.

To be truly creative, work with an attitude of bliss. God’s motive in creating the universe was not only, as the Indian scriptures declare, “to enjoy Himself through many.” It is also His very bliss-nature to be self-expansive. Despite the widespread suffering on earth, the end of every soul’s long, winding, sometimes harrowing journey is perfect bliss—a bliss, as Yogananda put it, “beyond imagination of expectancy.”

Regardless how people treat you, determine your response to them by the criterion of inner freedom. How others behave is their business. How you respond to them is yours. If someone tells you he hates you, will it make you happier to hate him in return? It will be more in your interest to offer him, instead, your sincere friendship.

Never seek self-justification. If people are interested in hearing your explanation, state the facts simply and impersonally, but never descend (unworthily) to self-defense.

How can one love everyone on earth? Here is one way: Reflect that God’s nature is, as the Indian scriptures declare, Satchidananda—ever-existing, ever-conscious, ever-new Bliss. He, the Creator, gives to each of us the motivation to seek bliss as our true nature, also. The hidden intention behind every act is the soul’s need to discover the secret of existence as perfect bliss. The worst criminal seeks to solve that mystery. He seeks it mistakenly, of course; yet he does so unmistakably. Everyone on earth hungers for that fulfillment, though people usually seek it indirectly. Isn’t this reason enough to love, and to be compassionate toward, every being on earth?

Self-knowledge gives a deep understanding of others. Though some people believe what they want is money, fame, power, pleasure, or material success, their motivation, essentially, is always the same: the longing for bliss. This subtle truth links all beings together in one cosmic family. The deeper you go in this understanding, the more completely you will develop insight into others. You can then even, if you so desire, develop their skills by attuning yourself to their special approach to bliss.