Perceive the Reality
We are
bound to the earthly elements to such an extent that we fail to notice the
reality. We tend to follow our daily routines rigidly without spending even few
moments to reflect upon the truth.
It is not that we can see, however we do not
attempt such an exercise. Once this question appears in our mind, it will
surely trigger us to raise our awareness and then perceive the reality.
So
what is this reality that we do not have an idea about? Confucius narrates
following parable to make us understand this.
A baby fish asked its mother, “I
keep hearing from everyone about water. What is it?"
The mother answered “Water
is what you swim in. We are made of water and we go back to water after we
die.”
"But where is it? I cannot see it?” questioned the baby to which the parent
answered “You look around, there is water everywhere. There is water inside us
as well as outside. Water surrounds us. We cannot be separated from water.”
Now
how can a fish know about it if it has not seen anything other than water? It
spends the entire lifetime within that but without realization. It has to raise
above the surface and then it can see the reality.
In a similar manner, we,
human beings forget the cosmic laws that surround us. We ignore the principles
underlying the universe and instead think that we rule the world.
Thus Confucius concluded “Fish forget they
live in water; people forget they live in the Tao." We all live in the
ocean of Tao. It flows over us; it is within us and all around us. It enfolds
us like our own skin, and yet we cannot perceive it; Indeed, most of us have
no idea what it is.”
Let us
reflect upon this thought and at least make a sincere effort to become aware of
the reality.
Clutch of Habits
As we grow, we pick up
some actions and repeat them regularly on a daily basis until it becomes second
nature to us. Over a period of time, these actions become so very powerful that
it would be next to impossible for us to detach ourselves from them.
These
actions are known as habits. With this premise, it is not a surprise that most
of us are enslaved by our own habits.
Thus it is important to cultivate only
the good ones and keep distance from the bad ones.
It does not take much
time to appreciate that if we have to change the way we live, we need to change
our habits. And it is quite a struggle to modify something that we have been
doing over the years.
Often we end up not trying at all just by imagining our
life without actions that we hold dear to ourselves. However as the old saying
goes, “Where there is a will there is a way”.
If we focus our mind with
dedication towards changing our life for good, it is possible but it requires
efforts.
First step is to become
conscious about our bad habits. Next step would be to convert it into a good
one.
Now it would seem to be very difficult to totally eliminate it altogether.
In such cases at least masking the wrong actions consciously with right actions
initially would help.
Gradually the latter will replace the former. Some claim that if an activity is done regularly consistently for 21 days, it becomes a habit. However this is not quite the reality and cannot be generalized.
Changing a habit is not so easy task. But
acknowledging the power of habits on our life, a just decision would have to
trigger the process of changing the bad habits and imbibe good ones.
So if one
wills to change with concentrated and focused efforts, it can surely be done. You ready?
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