Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Like pulling a log in the water

Small teachings from Hinduism (translated from Tamil texts/articles).

Kanchi Seer said: When we're pulling a pail full of water from a well, when it is under the water surface, we don't feel the heaviness. Only when it is above the surface, we notice how heavy it is. Even huge trees that can't be moved, can be transported easily when moved with water flow (like a river, flood). Similarly we should drown our sorrow in the water called wisdom. There will still be some sadness left, but like a vessel under the water, it'll be lighter.

This is an excellent example for a sanyasi, who want to be free from the worldly affairs. Infact, hinduism has many teachings with worldly attachments as the starting point. Saints without sorrow, think about it. Immortal Atma talks about mortality, says Kaviarasar.

Sorrow is part of life. People tend to go looking for it. Sometimes god creates it. Even if the fish escapes the net, if the water dries, they can't escape death. Only time is the difference - some lead and some follow.

Everyone thinks that others are happy. We add luggage to the cart, but the cart itself doesn't attempt to add. But our mind tend to add such sorrow on its own.

How to reduce the burden we added ourselves? Kanchi Seer says "Drink the water called wisdom". What is this wisdom? What is this intelligence? When you notice the shirt is torn and still wear it; then when you don't cry it is torn, that is wisdom.

It is also understanding, this is how things work and no more. Also agreeing to the fact, whether it happens or not, this is Gods' way. We find a tiled house among huts in a forest. Likewise, even if the mind is filled with sorrow, you'll find some happiness. Where we stand in the temple is important.

Amount of airflow inside a house depends on the window size. If a house has no windows, health gets to suffer. Similarly, situations create sorrow - change the situation to change the state of mind.

Problems that occurs to us without our knowledge, usually gets solved without our involvement. Only we can solve the problems, that we know and understand. The first type is solved by devotion and the second by intelligence. If you don't have devotion nor intelligence, then it is no use to cry.

If you buy a cow, then you get milk, but who can you blame if you bought an ox instead? Earning not enough is one kind of sorrow. Earning more and still not enough is another kind. Having no earnings is also a cause for sorrow. If we just try to stay afloat during trouble, it is not a solution. Only when you attain wisdom, there is a solution.

"Suffering is a trial or test". Kanchi Seer gives an example of how to reduce this burden of suffering: Sita was wondering whether she can marry Rama. After marriage, she suffered by going to forest, then abducted by Ravana. After rescuing her, she suffered due to doubts. Think, if Sita's story is full of such suffering, what will be ours?

Like how we use a river to pull a log easily, learn to use wisdom to alleviate suffering. If it still doesn't reduce, make suffering a habit of life. What else can be done?

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