In the Bhagavad Gita Lord Krisna lists twenty values for living, to gain a peaceful abiding mind that is suitable for gaining knowledge of the true self. I have these pinned on the door of my meditation space, go over them everyday and I am grateful to have them as reminders to try and keep that naughty mind leveled and myself grounded. The vasanas (thought waves) can become tsunamis if we do not keep observant of them and keep aware of them so as they are just small waves that we can manage. I am finding it helpful to have these reminders at my heart, and to keep in touch with them so as to let go of what no longer serves and allow space for love and keeping us with ourselves.
1.
Absence of pride - a proud person demands respect and expects others to recognize them for their qualities because they feel insufficient without recognition. We can not be happy with respect that comes from demand. Be humble.
2.
Unpretentiousness - someone who presents themselves as something other than what they are creates problems for themselves. If you tell a number of lies then you have to remember them all to keep on the right foot. If you speak the truth then you need not pose.
3.
Non-injury - One life depends on one another How can you hurt something that is part of yourself? One that respects the sanctity of creation and does not consciously hurt anything in action, thought and deed is practicing ahimsa - nonviolence.
4.
Accommodation to others - If we are constantly wanting to make somebody different, we are always disappointed. Accept that we are all part of the world, somebody may not be in the right place or time to change. There are not good and bad people, just happy and miserable people, we are a mixed bag of folk. Accept each other and this will take a large part of your problems away.
5.
Straightforwardness - when thought, word and deed are in harmony with each other then this makes you a straightforward person. Be aware of the mind that is the most tricky part, if you act in a certain way and say some things but the mind is thinking about the opposite then you are only a cheating yourself, be aware of what parts of the mind need working on.
Sometimes we may want to use or use harsh words and this may make us feel more powerful for a moment, but remember that these words have to flow through your heart, do you really want to add toxins and pollute the place which could be full of love and joy?
We will continue with the next 5 instructions in the next posting, for now have beautiful, straightforward, non-violent, accommodating, unpretentious and humble days.
Love and light to the heart
Mangala / Nicky
