When others criticize you, there are two things to think of. First, “That’s the way they look at me and that’s what they see.” Give them that freedom. Probably they may not see the other, better side. Feel sorry for them. Leave it at that. The other thing to think about is, “Yes, that person…
Attention, power of endurance, overcoming aversion, dislikes and irritations, fortitude in suffering, tapas, fasting, patience, command of temper, forbearance, clemency, mental power of endurance, firmness in meeting danger, power of resistance in attack, keeping up daily diary – all these pave a long way towards developing the will. You should patiently hear the words of…
Anything that becomes rare becomes very dear to us. When things are in abundance, we do not even know their value. It is only when a species is labeled “endangered” that we try to protect it. Even the value of peace has been taught to us in this way. Nature allowed us to do everything…
Question: I hate fighting and find it very upsetting. Even fighting among dogs. Is there any way I can overcome being disturbed by it? Answser: You might not like fighting, but don’t hate it. Hating is worse than fighting. Dogs fight, and the next minute they’re together hugging each other. But when you hate, you…
Repeat this formula very often and with intense faith: “The Lord is my strength, my support and my stay.” Thus you will derive strength, power and peace. God knows what is best for you and He does what is best for you. His ways are mysterious – know His ways and become wise. Slay egoism…
Question: If you go through a period of suffering, is it always because of something you did in your past to cause it or is it sometimes to teach you a lesson or make you a stronger person? Answer: Your sufferings are not purposely given to teach you a lesson. You are the cause. The…
Question: What is success and failure? Answer: There’s no need for failure in the worldly sense. If you really work hard, if you know the way, if you gather enough strength, nothing is impossible to achieve. But remember: that, even if you have the whole world at your beck and command, you can still experience…
Question: How can we maintain a balanced state of mind without suppressing our feelings? Answer: To remain balanced does not mean you suppress your feelings. Suppression will never make you a balanced person. Instead, you should analyze the situation. Remember, every time you express a negative emotion, it gets renewed. Any kind of thought—any want…
The majority of the emotional pain that people experience is caused not by something outside of themselves but by their internal reaction to things. And those reactions that bring pain are usually based on attachments and expectations that are unfulfilled. You make an appointment with you and they don’t fulfill your expectations so you get…
In the aftermath of the London bombings and Hurricane Katrina, as well as the fourth anniversary of 9/11, the age-old question naturally arises: “Why do bad things happen to good people.” Sri Swami Satchidanda addressed this issue many times, under a variety of circumstances. Here is an excerpt from one talk in which he speaks…
Often people ask me, “Why is there suffering? How can I avoid suffering?” My answer is, “You cannot.” When people are facing very serious illness or great loss, they often ask me, “How can I still have faith?” My answer is, “Keep the faith.” All medical treatments work better if you have faith. Does fear…
There is a Hindu scripture that compares our human mind with a monkey. It says that the mind is like a monkey—a drunken monkey. And not just like a drunken monkey, but like a drunken monkey bitten by a scorpion. Just imagine the condition of that monkey! So, how are you going to control the…