Burst Eleven (For the Young):
To Do Or Not To Do
- Everyone wonders often, “Is that my job?” or “How long should I serve?”
- If the work is worthy, doing it is better than not doing it. (Geeta 5:2)
- We must give up our likes and dislikes as we do various duties. (5:3)
- Abandoning agitation over ‘what I got’ is the sure way to peace. (5:12 first half)
- Our mind gains maturity when there is more service to others in our actions. (5:6)
- It is a great skill to work without bringing up ‘my gain’ and ‘my reward’. (2:48, 50)
- Work does not bind us when we have the right outlook, just as water does not make the lotus leaf wet. (5:10)
- It is all in the mind! We would not feel we are doing anything at all even though there is exertion externally. (5:8, 9)
- Work is therefore not the cause of our stress; the resistance and reactions within our mind are. (5:12 second half)
- We may naturally give up certain activities. Such a change has a different flavor to it.
- There would be hardly any inner struggle or conflict about such giving up. On the contrary, we are so clear that we do not see any other choice.
- Till such clarity emerges, we are advised to stay humble and, with all patience, render meaningful services to people around us beginning with our near and dear ones.
Swami Chidananda
Monday, May 26, 2003