Ten Steps For A Better You-Part II

Ten Steps For A Better You-Part II

Continued From Part I

Praja

The nest point to consider is praja - the people around us. It is said that a man is known by the company he keeps. We are influenced to a great extent by our family, friends and associates. If we move with gamblers, gourmets and materialistic people, we will also become like them.

The Indian independence movement gave rise to great leaders and under their influence and inspiration there was general increase in patriotic fervour. In the same way, the company of saints and sages has an elevating effect on us. Even in mundane matters like renting a house, we try to choose good surroundings and avoid a noisy or dirty locality. Shouldn't we take special care abut the kind of friends we choose?

Saints and sages are special because in their company people with bad tendencies also become good and they never lose their good qualities even if they happen to associate with negative elements. Till we become steadfast like them and well rooted in virtues, we need to be careful about the people we associate with.

Desah

Desah means place. All of you have come to this ashram. If you meet in a hotel, the atmosphere will be different. Every place has its own unique aura - a railway station, a hospital or a movie theatre has its distinct associations. We have the freedom to choose the places we visit. We must take care to choose places that are conducive to the qualities that we wish to cultivate.

Kalah

Kalah or time is a very important factor in our lives. People in general do not seem to know the art of time management. The way we use our time can transform our lives. Most of us spend our time catching up with whatever had to be done yesterday! The secret is to start early. Early morning, Brahma-muhurta, which is also called 'Amrta vela' in Punjab is a very rewarding time. As the day advances, people engage in many activities, it is the time for 'Rajo guna'. In the evening one feels tired and tamo guna surfaces. Nights are meant for peaceful rest, but we react according to our samskaras.

The morning time can be spent in meditation, exercises and study. The popular life-style at present is to engage in hectic activity at night and to get up well after 11 0' clock. In fact people pride themselves on it. One person said that he was a 'Suryavamsi' and his habit was to wake up soon as the sun rays fell on his face. It was a different mater that the window in his room faced the west and he caught only the evening rays before sunset!

To be continued

About the author

Swami Tejomayananda

Swami Tejomayananda, the Chairman and spiritual head of Chinmaya Mission worldwide, is one of the foremost disciples of Swami Chinmayananda. He is an outstanding teacher of Vedanta and an accomplished poet, author, and composer.