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By Jayaram V
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Three questions you should
frequently ask yourself. Am I thinking the right thoughts? Am I
speaking the right words? Am I taking the right actions? The
first one is the steering wheel, the second one the gear, and
the third one, the gas pedal - Jayaram V
Many times, we are tempted to shift the blame for our
problems and suffering to others. When we do not find anyone to
blame, we blame God or extraneous circumstances. It is true both
extrinsic and intrinsic factors play an important role in
shaping our destinies. However, while we have little control
over extrinsic factors, we can to a great extent control what
happens inside us and what we can accomplish through our
thoughts, words and actions.
The right approach is when suffering arises
we must first hold ourselves responsible for it. We must look at
ourselves and know how we allowed it to happen either through
our actions or through our complicity and negligence. We must
look for the causes within ourselves honestly and truthfully, removing
the blinders which we usually put upon our minds as part of our
self-denial, to find out
the root causes of our suffering and deal with them.
Most problems in our
lives arise from our thoughts, words and actions. No matter who
we are and what we do in our lives, these three shape our lives
and destinies. Thoughts are the source. Words and actions are
their extensions. Together they shape your life and destiny.
Therefore, if you want to change yourself and progress in your
life in the right direction, you have to focus on these
three. We may not always find the connection between these and
our experiences because we do not
remember everything that happens to us. A lot of our experiences
and perceptions remain hidden deep within our consciousness. We
cannot unravel them easily. However, through concentration,
meditation, regression and reflection, and if necessary with
professional help, we can eventually find a connection between
our present problems and past experiences.
Whether you are a materialist or a spiritual person, whether
you believe in God or not, the following three are important for peace and stability in your life.
By practicing them diligently, we can achieve both peace
and prosperity in a balanced way, without compromising our moral
and spiritual values. The following discussion is based on few Buddhist percepts
concerning there eightfold path. However it also
draws inspiration from other sources.
There is no exaggeration in stating that our thinking,
words and actions influence the course of our lives. They are
also the
most visible aspects or outward manifestations of our
personalities. They define our lives and our character for the
world in general. Other people come to know about you and your
character through them only. Therefore, if you want to pursue
right goals the right way and progress in the right direction,
you have to begin the process primarily by focusing on these
three and making necessary improvements. Our lives will
be better off and we will be better off, if we focus primarily
on these three. Together, they act like the trident of Lord
Siva, the destroyer of the worlds, with which you can dissolve
the darkness, ignorance and inertia of your mind and body and
bring cheer and vitality into your life.
- Right thinking
- Right speech
- Right actions
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