Burst Sixteen (For Youth):
Dying to the Past
Facing situations without the burden of the past is the hallmark of a simple mind. Mostly we find we are in the grip of some memories, which cloud our perception of persons, places and objects. If a man had hurt us in the past, we almost relive that hurt now ¡V though we may cleverly hide it ¡V when we are interacting with him. While meeting a lady who was very generous to us on a previous occasion, we act through a center in us that has pleasant memories as its warp and woof. While caution is understandable in the case of a possible repetition of harmful behavior on the part of the man, it is unfortunate if our mind loses its openness. A rigidity of outlook and a refusal to accept a possible change in him are a great obstacle in moving towards harmony. In the same way, gratitude towards the lady who was good to us is in place; but a sense of obligation bordering on our getting ready to go out of our way (and violate norms and values thereby) is hazardous. Living in awareness keeps our bosom free of these undue residues of the past. We know the right place of things but have the large-heartedness to dissolve memories.
Notions of big or small ¡V in the light of our past success or failure ¡V have no room in a plain mind. We are neither weighed down by a sense of inferiority nor puffed up by the sense of superiority. The simple alertness in us is then like bright light where no shadow of old habit can stay.
Clear perception accompanies a lightness of the heart when we meet the present hour without the interference of judgmental thoughts born in the past.
Do your work calmly, leaving aside attachments (fostered in the past) and putting away anxieties (projected into the future). Offer all your actions to me (Truth) with a truly religious mind. Geeta 3:30
Swami Chidananda
Monday, August 4, 2003