How to Serve and Change the World?
Mother Amritanandamayi, "You will benefit only if you change; and once you change, others will be benefitted as well.
"There was once an old man who was looking back on his life. He sat in a tea shop with his friends, telling them his story. 'When I was a young man, I was arrogant and thought I knew it all. I felt I could do anything, and wanted to change everyone. I would pray to God to give me the strength to change the world. When I reached middle age, I awoke one morning and realised that my life was half over. I had done nothing, and I hadn't changed anyone. So, I prayed to God to give me the strength to change those who were close to me since they needed it so much. But now I am old and my prayer is very simple: God, please give me the strength to change at least myself.' "
"Don't try to change the world or other people before you are able to change yourself. If you try to change others without changing your own attitudes, it will not have any effect....
"...people who live in constant indulgence, with never-ending expectations, dreams and hopes, build castles in the air. They drain all their energies and finally break down. Then, to whom can they turn?.....Their only source of support is a spiritual person who has conserved a vast amount of energy, who can afford to spend lavishly from his limitless supply. He saves energy for the sake of others, for the sake of the world, and helps those who are in need...
"....once a seed becomes a big tree with an abundance of fruit, it doesn't have to declare to the world, 'Look everyone, look at me. I am a beautiful tree, laden with fruit. Come, people, come! Rest in the shade of my limbs! Enjoy the cool breeze that filters through my leaves! Enjoy my delicious fruit!' Even without any kind of announcement, people will flock to the tree to enjoy its fruit, its shade, and the breeze. But first, like the seed coming of its shell, you must come out of the hard shell of the ego...."
Comments
Post a Comment