What can we learn from Sages and Saints?: 5 Life Lessons

I’ve been reading Yoga Essays for Self Improvement.  In his chapter on “Lessons of Life”, Swami Jyotirmayananda ponders that 'despite man’s amazing academic knowledge, he is unable to control his anger and restless moods.'  He further says that 'man does not know how to cope with his own problems in daily life, nor does he understand his own mind, nor does he experience true happiness and peace.'
It has been my experience, after meeting tens of thousands of people in my 66 years of life, that what Swami Jyotirmayananda states is true.  As humans, we struggle to find peace and happiness, cope with daily problems, control anger and balance our restless natures.
He shares important lessons from the ageless wisdom of sages and saints of the past.  Here are just a few of the lessons.

1. Aspire High - he points out that in order to hit a target with an arrow, one must focus on a point above the intended target, not below.  If aspirations are merely for materialistic and impermanent things, life will be filled with frustrations and failures.  Aspiring to discover the universal stream of life within through the teachings of Jesus, Krishna, Buddha and others will yield a “unique charm and beauty to everything you do.”
2. Be Righteous - having mastery over the impulses of the mind and senses leads to Self-realization and brings one to complete union with God.  However, it is not for us to constrain others to be righteous.  Only our own example can be a gentle leader for others.  Being too eager to make the world righteous without allowing the roots of righteousness to enter deep into our own hearts, will make our efforts hypocritical and will have negative results.
3. Be Ever Active - learn from running brooks, sparkling waters and murmuring rivers or the cascading shower of waterfalls - if there is inertia, there is stagnation, ugliness and death.  Where there is a constant flow, there is a bubbling joyousness, energy and creativity.  Retiring from life is not advisable.  While physically able to do so, seek out ways to serve others.  Helping to plant gardens of prosperity, peace and happiness in the hearts of others, brings joy and purpose to our days.  Caring for our own gardens through prayer, meditation, healthy food, exercise or yoga and connecting with others is equally important, no matter what our age or physical capabilities.
4. Be a Witness - learn to observe and detach in a way that expands our horizons - not detaching as a means to being cold and indifferent toward the problems of others - rather, a detachment that leads to your being “endowed with a spiritual charm”.  Swami Jyotirmayananda says detachment is like flying high: the higher you go, the wider a landscape you are able to view.  When you are unable to fly beyond limitations you set for your daily life, then you are like a person confined to a narrow cell, unable to enjoy the expansion of nature.
5. Steep your Mind and Heart with the Nectar of Devotion - as you advance on the path of Yoga or other spiritual traditions, there is naturally an increasing spiritual sensitivity and attachment to the Divine within one’s own heart.  You may find the world to which you return following meditation and prayer, to be more noticeably filled with gossip, backbiting, hypocritical sentiments and trifling discussions which once seemed so natural and now appear bitter and disenchanting.  Adapt, adjust, develop understanding and tolerance toward the actions of others.  

     “Rather than giving credit to your ego when prosperity develops, recognize the glorious workings of the Divine Hand and be thankful to God. When affected by adversity, do not lose sight of the Divine Hand that sustains your every step; in fact what seems adverse is nothing but prosperity in disguise.”

…”Everything that happens to person has been designed for the unpliftment of his soul.”

​Namaste
Loving Life and Living Love,
Mary

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