Living Wisely Living Well | With Asha Nayaswami

Be expansive in your sympathies. Don’t limit them to thoughts of “I” and “mine.” All men are God’s children; so too are you. Be a stranger to no one. The joys and sorrows of all men are your own.

When traveling anywhere as a tourist, don’t be satisfied with merely “seeing the sights.” Try to feel the vibrations of the places you visit. You will find, in time, that you can actually sense some of their history, and the consciousness of those who lived there long ago. A Mexican friend of mine from the state of Yucatán once related to me a very clear vision he’d had of an ancient temple complex, where Mayans of long ago passed in and out as though they still lived there. Everything you see around you is composed of consciousness. And consciousness emits vibrations, which in turn endure for centuries—perhaps even forever.

The first and last words of a sentence are especially important. See that your sentences begin and end well. The rest, then, will to a great extent take care of itself.

When an elder or a superior takes you to task, listen impersonally, but never tell yourself, “Considering the position this person holds, he must be right!” People are simply human beings; each has his own faults and weaknesses, which stick to him like burrs until he achieves enlightenment. Indeed, spiritual development, like the sunlight shining through a stained-glass window, may actually highlight a person’s flaws—until further progress eliminates his ego altogether.

Is there any subject on which you feel sensitive? If so, determine to change yourself. A sore spot on the body tells you there is something wrong there. When people “rub you the wrong way,” see what there is in yourself that made you flinch.

Isn’t it interesting, how people tend to shout on meeting after a long separation! Why all that noise? We might compare those meetings to driving a motorcycle. First there is a high sound, as the motorcycle “revs up.” Next comes the low, steady hum, as the desired speed is reached. And notice, finally, the low growl the motor makes as it is turned off. The process might be compared to the three phases of AUM, the Cosmic Vibration: Brahma, the Creator (a relatively high sound); Vishnu, the Preserver (a medium sound); and Shiva, the Destroyer (a low, all-dissolving rumble). Contrasted to people’s first meetings, their partings often end on a low note—sometimes of regret; sometimes, if the meeting lacked energy, of dismissiveness. To keep a reunion with friends fresh and interesting, focus especially on the medium—the Vishnu—aspect: Give even more to your reunion than you receive from it. “Fuel” your conversation with inner happiness.

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To overcome a judgmental attitude in yourself, observe others whose natures are similarly critical. Are they not merely projecting an inner insecurity? In judging others you only judge yourself. Offer kind acceptance to everyone. In doing so, you will not only deepen your faith in God, but will acquire faith in your own highest potentials.

Let no one agitate you. You will never know happiness if you lose your inner peace. If ever you do become distressed, try to calm your heart’s feelings by stilling your reactions there. Allow no one to impose on you his hopes, desires, and expectations of you. Even should you find yourself behind prison bars, let no one imprison your mind. Personal integrity is the first and absolute necessity for soul-liberation.

Let no one pressure you with his opinions. Be guided from within yourself. My own family did their best to make me forsake my spiritual calling. I am glad to say I adamantly rejected their pleas. I had my own star to follow. It has led me into the inner temple of peace. Following their wishes would have brought me lasting sorrow, frustration, and disappointment. Therefore I say, Follow your own star!

Most of the pains we experience, whether physically or mentally, are distressing only if we so define them. Think of them as events, merely, of only slight concern to you. Remove yourself mentally from all outer experiences, and you’ll be able to bear pain and suffering with relative ease.