If we are going to make what we imagine a reality, then we should go ahead and imagine. Surely such an imagination is right.🔗

Persons, who cannot make their imaginations a reality, turning their minds towards imaginarv literature, and getting temporary satisfaction and again spending time in fantasies, has become common, and it is a horrible thing. Such imagination is certainly wrong.

The reality that there is a high likelihood that the future wife would be a girl similar to himself in all respects regarding body, mind and mental struggles is hidden completely by the black smoke of fantasy.

It is natural for persons who expect queens in their imaginations while naturally imagining themselves as kings, with pride and ego forming itself deep in their hearts. It is only this pride and a false ego which cause men to disrespect and crush the flower-like tender femininity.

In the same manner, it is also natural for girls to expect in their imaginations, great heroes, and to imagine themselves as nice heroines and become very proud in the depth of their hearts.

It is only this pride and ego, which prevents some mothers from exhibiting their motherly qualities, which is essential for a family to be peaceful and joyful.

Throw away the fantasies and accept reality. You will begin to regard men and respect them as men. Peace is sure to blossom!

**********

Futile Talk

નું Why are we talking? What did we intend to talk about? How are we talking?

• If you ask such a question to a person talking, many may not be able to reply. It is due to such people that ordinary talk becomes futile talk.
• The very nature of futile talk, in a particular atmosphere, has the quality of disconnecting relationships. It is one reason to worry.
• During conversations, allowing futile talk is like driving a car without brakes in a city.
• In futile talk, there will not be any inherent clarity in what we speak.. It will be just flowing without any control of the mind. This will affect both the speaker and the listener.

'Sister, oh, that lady in the opposite house ... ... '

'Oh! How nice that Sachin plays ... '

'That MLA's wife ... .. '

'That hero has …..somebody'

'In yesterday's T.V. serial ..... '

'That saint is a .......'

All feel happy in speaking about such useless matters. However some have no liking for such gossip. But still they too will give some lame excuses saying when all are talking and I alone keep quiet, will they not wonder about me?

Politics - Sports - Cinema

The gossiping stalwarts will usually be talking about only three things again and again. When they feel bored, they will even mix up spirituality with politics in their talks!

The subjects of gossiping ladies are different. Their job is to talk ill of their neighbors, discuss about cinema, T.V., saris, jewelry, etc. If they get fed up with these subjects, they begin discussing about devotion, cooking, etc.

It is all right if, in this modern, mechanical world, these talks happen only for passing time or entertaining. But it becomes a serious problem when we waste precious time.

In Bharat, though there is enormous manpower available, it is being utilized only to a small extent. If only the time wasted in futile talks were utilized in constructive ways, Bharat would emerge as a superpower.

We know of many historic quarrels ending in big catastrophes, which had begun only as ordinary futile talks.

Discussions, arguments, quarrels, misunderstandings, hatred and gossip, beginning in ordinary, simple things and ending with parting-of-ways, etc. reveal clearly the incapacity of clear understanding by one party and the intolerance of the other.

No. Not possible just immediately. We are always talking, sometimes outwardly and many times inwardly in our minds. We call this 'inner chattering'. Can we not reduce this futile talk?

When we are alone and not talking to anyone, we begin talking to ourselves. In sleep, we begin talking in dreams. We are not able to be peaceful, simply because we keep on talking the whole 24 hours.

We may not feel anything if we run for one or two minutes. If we run for five minutes, we will be gasping for breath. But if we keep on running, what will happen to the body? In the same manner, it will become difficult if the mind goes on talking.

There is no question of perfect health or a blissful life unless the horse-like mind which keeps on running and the never-ending debates which go on in the mind are brought to an order.

A Zen Master was living outside the town. A professor came to know that the Master was a great man and was giving good explanations and solutions to all problems of the people.

The professor also went to see him. He requested the Zen Master to teach him about tranquility and bliss. The action of the Master in front of the professor was rather confusing.

There were two tumblers, one filled with water and the other empty. The Master filled the empty tumbler with water and then poured the water in the already full tumbler also. It overflowed.

The professor asked, 'Oh Master, why are you doing this?'

The Master replied. 'In the same way as we cannot add even a drop of water to the tumbler already filled up with water, you also have your mind filled up with many matters. Until you empty your mind of all those matters, I cannot teach you about tranquility and bliss. '

We have our minds packed with all sorts of information, saying this man said this, that man said something else, etc. We cannot talk about any thing else other than those we have come to know in the name of religion, movements, etc. Our inner chattering also gets formed based on these.

As a first step, let's throw out of the dust bin of our minds, all that stinky garbage which we have accumulated unnecessarily. The more important thing is that we must ensure that we do not accumulate any further garbage.

The beauty of our inner self (feelings) will be revealed in our face.

The beauty of mind (thoughts) will be revealed in our speech.

When essential and necessary, things only get deposited in the bank, that is our mind, then there is absolutely no chance of any gossip or any futile talks to emanate from you and your life will be blissful, too!

By cleansing our minds, our speech will become attractive. Those who hated us will begin to love us. Let us make our speech attractive and beautiful as soon as possible.

***********

Where is Peace?

• True attachment gives peace and jov. Attachment of the mind steals peace and joy.

Trying to possess people in the name of relationship = Attachment of the mind.

• Valuing people as highly as one's own life Through the opportunity of relationship = True attachment.
• The detached state of mind is beyond both the above types of attachments. In this state of mind, one can see the presence of God within oneself as well as in others. One can get real, true peace.

There are many among us who lament, 'What is this life, Sir? There is no peace at all ... '

Those who go to the peak of dejection saying, 'All this is my fate .....' do not understand one thing clearly. That is, for our dejected feelings, we are one hundred percent responsible.

There are neople who have earned millions and still committed suicide; and there are also people who do not even have enough daily food and still live happily without any worries.

Life is one thing that is waiting for all with all sorts of unexpected turns and opportunities. It is only those who do not possess awareness and who wish to live lazily, who lose all the opportunities and also lose their peace of mind, and suffer.

When do we begin to lose peace of mind for the first time? It is only when we begin to search for security. The wheel of our life is being turned on and kept in motion on our expectation that we will feel secure if we have a good amount of money, more property, a good name and fame.

The seed begins to sprout in the depths of our hearts with the thought that our life will be more secure the more we possess. The attachment is only that quality which has caught hold of the man as an off-shoot of his persistent resistance to insecurity. It is just this useless feeling of 'me' and 'mine'.

Real attachment does not result in afflictions. But mental attachment only creates all sorts of trials and tribulations.

Real or true attachment is based on reality. Mental attachment is based on our mind only.

Real attachment: It is the understanding with correct earnestness, of all our possessions, all our relationships and of having pleasant love and relationships with our friends. Real or true attachment is only living the life fully in this manner.

Mental attachment: Wasting our money just for name and fame and living extravagantly. Living just for duty without understanding fully our relationships and friends, without having any tolerance, having hatred, frustrated and having enormous ego; all this is mental attachment. It will only spoil mental peace.

To explain the extent to which this desire will ruin mental peace. I will tell you a story.

An old man was returning home from the next town and from a distance he just saw his house and started crying aloud. His house was actually burning.

His first son saw this and came near him and said, 'Father, don't cry. We have sold the house for a good price two days back.' The old man said, 'Is it so. I am glad.' And he became consoled and wiped his tears.

Just then his second son came to him and said, 'Father we have not yet legally sold the house, we have only got twenty thousand rupees as advance.' On hearing this, the old man asked 'Is it so?' and started crying again.

The third son then came near him and said. 'Father, don't cry. The man who bought the house is a very nice man. He has never gone back on his words. So he has said that he will buy the house at the agreed price.' Again, the old man was happy.

Read this story carefully. The detached feeling 'As another person has bought the house, it is no more my house' gave him so much of peace and tranquility. The attached feeling that 'the buyer has given only twenty thousand rupees as an advance, so it is still my house' came to him, the old man was very upset.

Can you understand that even though the old man did not lose anything from beginning to end of this story, when he got the information that the house no longer belonged to him on two occasions it gave him so much relief and peace?

Whether we accept it or not, believe it or not, it is only our attachment which destroys our peace. To whatever extent we wish to have a secure feeling, to the same extent we will begin to increase our properties and relationships.

Each and every thing changes in this world. It will continue to be changing. Never is it constant. Nobody is possessed by anybody. Each one has his own individuality. The solid truth is that any thing can happen at any time. It is enough if this is understood. Nobody, nor any circumstance can spoil our tranquility.

Change your mental attachment as a true attachment. Start stepping towards peace. Get peace.

***********

THINK!

Tightness

Pride-giving knowledge!

Intoxication-giving status!

Overwhelming, joy-giving money!

Another sort of pride-giving name and fame!

These are the things which, like brokers, bring tension to man.

• Results a person gets when he carries on his life with tension.

• A face which finds it difficult to laugh!

• Grief, unable to be shared outside!
• Inability to enjoy anything wholly!

Knowledge should become wisdom.

Status should become service.

Money should be shared.

Fame should be properly digested.

If a man lives like this, then these will become like an angel which brings sweetness in a man. There is no chance of these things bringing tension to man.

I have read much about Babur (a famous king). You might have also read about him. I will tell you about an interesting incident which happened in his life.

Once, a learned man wanted to meet Babur, so he sought and obtained the permission to meet Babur.

On a particular day, he went to the palace. Babur was talking jovially, mingling with ordinary people.

The learned man was surprised to see this. People in high positions do not laugh at all.

Even at something very funny, they only smile. The learned man could not digest seeing such a great king mingling and laughing with his own servants.

He said to the king. 'Oh king! I have heard that you are a very wise man and an intelligent man, too. That's why I wanted to meet you.

I came here to see and enjoy your discussions with great people such as wise men, great intellectuals, poets and philosophers.

But, after my coming here and seeing this, I don't see any intelligence in your behavior. I am not able to bear this. So. I am going away.' So saying, he hurried up to go away.

Babur said. Just wait. Listen to what I am going to say. After you hear me, you can decide whether to stay here or leave."

The man was shocked and stood still. Babur began to speak...

'Look there, I have kept a bow in that corner. You also see that I have not tied the string strongly at both ends of the bow.

Do you know why I have done like this? If I had tied the string at both the ends of the bow tightly, it would always remain under tension. If the bow is always under tension, it will surely break in a few days.

A bow should always be flexible. If it is in such a condition, the arrow, on release, will jump and go swiftly like the wind. Only then success will be achieved.

I also wish to be like a flexible bow. If I am always tight, I will become mad. As a result. I am like this: soft, flexible, playful and joyful. That is the reason for my success.'

The learned man was dumbfounded on hearing the words of Babur.

We should be soft and flexible like a bow, with the string not tied tight at the ends. When we are tight and rigid, lots of changes occur in our body and mind. Muscle catches and sprains which happen in our body are indications of tightness and stress. Pains occurring in various parts of the body are another sign.

Those who are rigid and tight get chest pain often. They may have head-aches too. The treatment I give for such people who come to me is just to make them laugh. I will make them laugh, forgetting all their worries. In a few minutes they will say, 'My chest pain is gone!'

There are many ways to ease your tension. Play with children for some time. (It is all right if they are your neighbor's children too!) Tension will disappear. Fondle affectionately, the plants in your garden. Become easy and light. Tension will break away from you.

Watch the fish swimming swiftly in the fish tank in your house. Tension will be gone. Even when you hear a very small joke, laugh aloud. Tension will be cut off from you.

Understand one thing clearly. Whatever way we may try, man cannot fly like a crow. We cannot be in water like a frog. It is foolish to think that man can perform anything and everything. Whatever is meant to happen naturally will happen.

If we understand this, tension will ease away.

'It has not happened as I thought! I have not good people as I thought and expected!' Rigidness is only due to the deposits made in our minds for many days of sticky things made in our mind due to such irritations.

It is only the accumulated irritations and all sorts of disappointments of many days which become mental tensions.

The only easy way to release such mental aberrations is to throw away the illusory thinking of 'others. as well as circumstances should change as I expect' and trying to remain happy and joyful every minute.

Begin to merge with the natural flow of life and act naturally. Tension will begin to dissolve and disappear.

**********

Why? Why Unable to Tolerate?

• Animals do not know how to be tolerant. Tolerance is a culture only developed by everyone born as a man.
• ❖ Tolerance is the first stepping stone in the growth of man's mental structure.
• ☆ Intolerance is not a culture of man. (Only because man has got mind as the sixth sense, different from the animal, which has got only five senses, is he called man). Intolerance is only an indication of improper growth of mind.

Every incident which occurred in the Buddha's life will reveal a very great truth. I will tell you about one such incident.

Once, Buddha and his chief disciple were walking from one city to the other.

They missed their way while passing through some forests, hills and plateaus. They came to know about it only when they reached a place which was very far away from their original intended destination.

Then, after inquiring about the correct path, they started walking again. After walking some distance, they asked the people there. 'How much distance we have to walk to reach the city?'

When the people said. 'If you walk two more miles, you will reach the place to which you want to go.' they started walking enthusiastically. Even after walking for further two miles, they did not reach any city.

Again they asked the people there, 'How many more miles do we have to walk to reach the city?' Thev replied, 'If you walk two more miles, you will surely reach the city.'

After that they could not see any city even after walking further two miles. The chief disciple, Ananda could not bear this and became angry. He shouted with anger. 'What foolish people these are, without telling the correct distance, why are they annoying and deceiving us?' The other disciples agreed with Ananda.

But Buddha did not think so. He said, 'Without understanding them, why are you angry with those people? All the people from whom you have inquired about the path, have, in fact, showered their grace on you. The city is still very far away. The fact is that you have to walk many miles to reach it.

What will happen to all of us, if they tell us so? We will get upset and simply sit down here thinking 'so much more distance to walk'? We should not lose our enthusiasm.

Buddha told his disciples 'It is only because you have to surely reach your destination, the people have been saying every time that you would reach the city in a few miles.' The disciples became satisfied, having understood the reasons for the people's actions.

Many of us are also like the disciples of the Buddha.

The desire to achieve anything and everything just at the thought of it, to do things very quickly, the hurry to change things at the wink of an eye, haste for everything; all these have become the mental set up of the present city-dwelling people.

A man, who does every thing hastily and without any enjoyment, behaves only like a machine. A man who eats a nice dinner in great hurry, does not even know whether the food requires some more salt, or it is sour, etc.

A man, who reads a collection of poems in great speed, horribly misses the beautiful lines of the poetry. The man, who walks hurriedly through the parks where there are plants in full bloom, badly misses the nature itself.

As the saying goes 'Haste makes waste.' Hasty people only embrace defeat instead of success, on many occasions. Watch carefully the 1000 meters running race on the T.V.

A person, who runs fast at the beginning of the race, will not usually run till the end. Even if one is running as a third person, if one decides to run slowly but steadily, that person will run fast in the end and win the race and get the prize.

The hurry and haste is only due to the abnormal desire and expectations.

Both restlessness and haste are the outcomes of intolerance.

Intolerance is the root of the tree of impatience.

The world will appear differently to us each time depending upon the quality of our tolerance.

Patience or tolerance is an important qualification essentially required at all stages of life, beginning from the ordinary actions of simple bargaining and even up to the holy and sacred actions of service and showing affection etc.

It is the concluded opinion of psychiatrists. that the root cause for many divorces is the intolerance to digest and bear the current problems and insults in life. This quality of tolerance in a man actually depends upon his quality of understanding.

Please do not understand this incorrectly. Do not think that tolerance means 'not showing any reaction at all to whatever anybody does, and to keep your feelings suppressed.'

The quality of tolerance is not suppression of feelings. It is a state of matured feeling.

Whenever our feelings happen to be very much disturbed, unable to bear the happenings outside, then, we should begin to turn inwards, asking why am I struggling so much? Why? Why?

Don't stop with just asking, 'Why? Why? If we begin to understand as to why we are losing our patience and tolerance, we will begin to understand the reasons for the irritations we get from external things. The struggling feelings inside us will begin to reduce. The more and more we are able to understand the value of tolerance, actually our tolerance will even begin to increase. Let's begin to understand.

***********

Forgive and Forget

• The one who is affected by our anger,

The one who is benefited by our forgiveness,

• Both are only us, not the other person.
• By continuously hurting our body and mind, through severe anger, we can waste our energy by scolding others and hating them for even small mistakes.

Who is affected more by this? Is it the man who is angry, or the other person who takes easily all our outpourings, which come out as a result of our intense anger?

• な If we forgive, the very next moment, our volcano of anger will cool down. Body and mind will become light. The wasting of energv due to anger will be saved. The time required for thinking how to take revenge will also be saved.

The person who is benefited due to savings in energv and time is:

• Is it the forgiver? OR

• The forgiven?