- Constant
Something that is changing from moment to moment seems to be constant - like the flame of a lamp.
The flames of "fire" are being renewed evcry moment, by fresh fuel being converted into fire - but the single flame appears constant - and it seems a mystery that, remaining constant and doing nothing, that flame has consumed all the oil!
- East
When mankind finds itself enshrouded by darkness, gloom, it turns eastwards
When you are oppressed by the darkness of night, you turn east to see if there is the glimmer of the dawn.
- Free will is God within
Are we victims of the materialistic age, or are we manufacturers of it?
We do have the liberty of expressing our own nature.
That free will is God within and we must not surrender it - not to anyone.
It is very easy to blame society or the age - that is cooking up a lame excuse to cover up our own fears.
- Traditions
Customs like the Deepavali have comprehensive influence on us.
They bring us together - they promote charity - they cement social unity - besides their spiritual meaning.
But it is not always wise to explain these aspects to the people.
If, for instance, we explain that asking one another on Deepavali day "Have you had your Ganges bath?" is a ruse of getting us together and that there is no inherent merit in it, we shall either abandon it, or, if we do it, mechanically, we will get back the feeling of ill-will and hatred for our neighbour on the very next day.
Ignorance of these ideas and faith in the simple fact that they confer spiritual merit upon us will enable us to react spontaneously - and that is the way to ensure that the purpose is really served.
- Control
To control the mind is comparatively easy.
Fear of hell, the police, bad name, etc., keep us away from evil action.
But control of emotion is much more difficult.
Gita tells us how to convert all our emotion into devotion.