Musing of the Month

Nearly all children are quite selfish by nature. They do not want to give anything to others. I was trained to reverse this tendency.

In the mountains I used to take only one meal a day. I would have one chapati, some vegetables, and a glass of milk. One day, when it was almost one o'clock, I washed my hands, sat down, and the food was given to me. I said grace and was about to start eating when my master came in and said, "Wait!"

I asked, "What's the matter?"

He answered, "An old swami has come. He's hungry, and you must give him your food."

"No," I argued, "I'm not going to, even if he is a swami. I'm also hungry and won't get any more food until tomorrow."

He said, "You won't die. Give it to him. But don't give it just because I am ordering you. Give it as an offering of love."

I said, "I'm hungry. How can I feel love toward someone who is eating my food?"

When he could not convince me to offer my food to the swami, he finally said, "I order you to offer your food!"

The swami came in. He was an old man with a white beard. With only a blanket, a walking stick, and wooden sandals, he traveled all alone in the mountains.

My master said to him, "I'm so glad that you have come. Will you bless this child for me?"

But I said, "I don't need your blessing. I need food. I am hungry."

My master said, "If you lose control in this weak moment, you will lose the battle of life. Please offer your food to the swami. First, give him water, and then wash his feet."

I did as I was told, but I did not like it, nor did I understand the meaning of it. I helped him wash his feet, and then I asked him to sit down, and I gave him my food. Later I found out that he had not had any food for four days.

He took the food and said, "God bless you! You will never feel hunger unless food comes before you. This is my blessing to you."

His voice still echoes in my ears. From that very day, I have been free from that urge which had so often led me to childish cravings.

There is a narrow barrier between selfishness and selflessness, love and hatred. After crossing it, one enjoys doing things for others without seeking anything in return. This is the highest of all joys and an essential step in enlightenment. A selfish man can never imagine this state of realization, for he remains within the limited boundaries built by his ego. A selfless man trains his ego and uses it for higher purposes. Selflessness is one common characteristic among all great men and women worldwide. Nothing could be achieved without selfless service. All the rituals and knowledge of the scriptures are in vain if actions are performed without selflessness.

Living with the Himalayan Masters by HH Swami Rama

Svadhyaya Corner

To become selfless, we must understand where and how we are selfish. Spend time contemplating the following questions in your inner dialogue or journal.

1.  Most of us love getting something new, but how many enjoy getting rid of something old? For example, I have a general practice: I must relinquish some item if I get a new item; this forces me to let go of something, and often, that something is more than the object. Memories and emotions are attached, sometimes good and sometimes not, but I aim to let go of whatever attachment I am clinging to along with the object I am getting rid of. The next time you get something new, go through your house, get rid of something, and watch what happens. 

2. Is it difficult for you to let go of "stuff"? What things do you find hardest to let go of? Why?

3. Do you hoard emotions and feelings long after the event is over? How does this behavior impact you?

4. Divide a piece of paper into columns and ascertain if you are selfless or selfish in each category. Examine the list, look at the categories in which you are more generous and those in which you are more selfish, and plan how to become more generous. Here is a small list of behaviors we can examine to become more fully human. How gracious or selfless are you with your energy, knowledge, attention, finances (donate), time (volunteer), gratitude, and recognition? Feel free to add or remove anything as you examine your behaviors.

5. Examine an event in which you felt yourself expand and an event in which you felt yourself contract; what did you do that caused the expansion, and what did you do that caused the contraction? Which felt better? Why?

Benevolence Corner

Soup On Wheels

TYS has frozen homemade vegan soup in the freezer. As a part of our outreach, if you need a meal or know someone who does because of illness, surgery, death of a loved one, financial problems, divorce, or anyone who requires a little extra TLC, TYS is here for you.

Last month, TYS had the opportunity to serve a senior citizen who had had a stroke and required moving to another assistant care facility. Seven sevites showed up, and many hands indeed make light work. We had fourteen hands and feet, hustling for 3.5 hours to move Miss Marjorie to her new place. One of the sweetest things to Miss Marjorie was the way we all worked and laughed together. She commented several times about the laughter, which made her feel good. Swamiji often said, "Grease all of your actions with love," and we certainly did that day. It was lovely how the person we had been serving also felt the joy we felt that day working for a united goal. 

A Greater Dayton Podcast

If you or anyone you know has experienced domestic violence, you are not alone. It is more common than you may realize. While many times, domestic violence goes unreported, it still affects approximately 10 million people in the United States yearly. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence states that domestic violence impacts 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men. Dan Edwards from A Greater Dayton Podcast invited Ranjani to share her story and how yoga helped her to safety and heal after being kidnapped and tortured by her then-partner. Check out the link or share it with someone who needs to know they are not alone.

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Reflections with Kali

All Swamiji books leave you with many things to think about. The book I have been reading, Creative Use of Emotion, has been very interesting for me. There was one quote which has been stuck in my mind that I’ve been contemplating often. 

It is a proverb from a Persian poet – “When I had strength I did not have wisdom, now I have wisdom but not strength.”

This was in the chapter of the book “The Play and Drama of Life” and explores the topic of our various roles in life and their purpose. “All of our unhappiness and suffering in life comes from taking our part in the drama to be too solid and too absolute. But alas, one becomes aware of this reality very late in life…but if by chance someone awakens from the sleep of ignorance he understands that roles should  be played, but awareness of the reality should not be lost. The Gita says meditation in action is the key for success, wherever you go remain aware of the center within you.”

We have talked a lot about meditation in action at TYS and how remaining peaceful and balanced in all situations, and being skillful with your actions, is yoga. Every day is full of challenges. I am working on getting in the habit of analyzing my day and the events that happened to reflect upon how centered I remained and if I handled situations skillfully. When I feel emotional I pause and remember my mantra and my breath. I do not want to meet death feeling like I wasted my time. As of now this body is considered “young” but I hope I can build my strength every day so I do not waste anymore time, so I can use my strength, before it is gone and not put to any service.

Shakti & Bhakti Kirtan Dates

April 6, 2024

June 29, 2024

October 12, 2024

December 31, 2024

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