32) Give Quietly

The Bhagavad Gita describes us all as having the lower self and the higher self. It is the lower self which is selfish, that give us our limited perspective, making us feel separate and disconnected from everyone else. Identifying ourselves as separate and disconnected produces huge problems. We feel insecure, unstable, vulnerable, dissatisfied, which can lead to anger, depression, and cravings to fill the void.

Wherever there is a feeling of separateness and disconnectedness, there will always be a tendency to manipulate others, to take advantage of them for our own gain.  

Some people don’t feel the separation so keenly. They can function quite happily without the need to lean on others. Where the feeling of separateness is much greater, it can cause loneliness, jealousy, depression, anger, resentment, regret, greed etc.

All these can then feed on each other, causing a boiling cauldron ready to explode at any minute.

The upper self is the selfless side, the part of us that loves unconditionally, that wants to give and serve others, that wants to nurture and look after others for nothing in return, the side that appreciates beauty. This is the side that seeks to evolve and grow, to fulfil our potential.

Lets nurture, develop, encourage our selflessness. It is so much more fulfilling to live that way. We feel happier and more fulfilled, and those around us do too. True selflessness is where we do things for others without any expectation of reward, and best of all, if we don’t shout about what we’ve done.

We need to get out there in the world, and set a good example. Be quiet and selfless and giving and loving.

31) The Truth

We are confused about who we are. 

We fight for what we want on an individual level. We feel separate and disconnected from our fellow men. We do not live in harmony, because we do not know who we are. If we don’t really know who we are, then how can we really know what we need or what we want? This is a recipe for constant striving and disappointment.

Somewhere deep down, we accept that we are connected with everything and everyone around us. We love beauty, we know right and wrong, we have our ideals. This is shared with all humanity. This is a connection of the spirit. It is not logic or intelligence. Appreciation of these things are much more than logic or intelligence.

The Bhagavad Gita tells us that the wise do not grieve for the living or the dead. Because the spirit is immortal, we were never born and will never die. This might not be obvious at first glance but as soon as we look below the surface, we see the truth. There was never a time that we did not exist and there will never be a time when we will not exist.

We ignore the eternal spirit, and we ignore the needs of the spirit. Instead, we mistakenly search for things that will never ultimately satisfy us, the short lived cravings of the senses.

As we continue to strive, we even trample on those that get in our way. Not knowing what we really need, leads to constant disappointment, which leads to frustration, which leads to anger, which on a global scale leads to war.

If we are to meet our needs, find ultimate satisfaction in life, we need to understand who we are. We need to go down to the very root of the problem if we are to have any chance of living in peace and real, fulfilling, enduring happiness.

This is where the teachings and ancient scriptures can help us. By studying and learning we can make sense of where we have come from, who we are and where we are going. It is up to each one of us to explore the truth for ourselves, as no one will do it, or can do it, for us.