"In all cultures there are legends about a war between demons and divine beings, and often the forces of light lose the battle. In Indian mythology the defeated bright souls either run to higher powers for protection or hide in remote regions, often on isolated mountain peaks, and commit themselves to intense spiritual practices. Only after they have gained the grace of God and attained inner strength do they challenge their opponents again and reclaim their rightful status. During these 'divine calamities' the sages come forward and help the defeated souls gain self-mastery by gathering up the virtues of fearlessness, self-confidence, unwavering faith, and the indomitable power of will and determination. Self-mastery entails cultivating all of these qualities collectively. It enables us to conquer our subhuman tendencies and allows us to become fully human. But achieving mastery over ourselves is a gradual process which keeps unfolding as we continue to walk on the path of self-transformation. The purpose of life, as Swamiji often said, is not to know God as an external being, but to transform ourselves so that we are constantly aware of the divine within - which is our essential nature."
-Pandit Rajmani Tigunait
I liked that Ram Das recording of the Ramayana--thank you. The story was a lot more action packed than I had expected and good for a long drive.
ReplyDeleteI liked Richard Freeman very much. My favorite thing he said: "If you are blessed with stiffness--and I am blessed with a little more of it every year--you are lucky, because you will have years to enjoy the process of getting into a pose. If you are flexible, you miss out on that."
Hmm...Perhaps the "good guys" in the Ramayana learned more from their struggles against the "bad guys" than they would have if victory had been easy? Maybe it's good if things are a little difficult sometimes...
ReplyDeleteBeth
ReplyDelete"If you are blessed with stiffness--and I am blessed with a little more of it every year--you are lucky, because you will have years to enjoy the process of getting into a pose. If you are flexible, you miss out on that."
Great quote by Richard Freeman.
Ralph from DeKalb